Amazing increases in the distribution and occurrence of the dusky hopping mouse, plains mouse and crest-tailed mulgara have been attributed to rabbit control. RHDV suppressed rabbit numbers, reducing competition for food and the pressure from rabbit-dependent predators like cats and foxes. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.12684/abstract
Planning is underway for the release in Australia of a calicvirus strain (RHDV1 K5) which is expected to perform well in cooler, wetter regions. http://http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/delayed-release-for-new-calici-strain/7083388?WT.mc_id=newsmail
An update on RHDV in Europe and the classification of different strains – including a ‘family tree’.PeacockD_Nov2015_RHDV2
PestSmart have released a set of answers to frequently asked questions about the new strain of RHDV- find out more at PestSmart (2015).
The ABC TV program Landline featured a story on rabbits and RHDV on March 25. The story looked back over the 11 years that RHDV has been active in the Australian environment and how it has impacted on rabbit populations during that time.
Efforts to reduce the destructive impact of rabbits have been enhanced with the appointment by Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW of research scientist Tarnya Cox to develop monitoring and release strategies for new strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV).