Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease in the United Kingdom

H E Fuller1, D Chasey, M H Lucas

  • 1Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Veterinary Investigation Centre, Coley Park, Reading, Berkshire.

The Veterinary Record
|December 18, 1993
PubMed
Summary

This report details the initial identification of a deadly viral infection in British rabbit populations during the spring of 1992, confirmed through clinical, pathological, and laboratory analysis of affected animals.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Bovine TB infection status in Great Britain in 2016.

The Veterinary record·2018
Same author

Bovine TB infection status in cattle in Great Britain in 2015.

The Veterinary record·2017
Same author

D2R2: an evidence-based decision support tool to aid prioritisation of animal health issues for government funding.

The Veterinary record·2016
Same author

Proposed terms and concepts for describing and evaluating animal-health surveillance systems.

Preventive veterinary medicine·2013
Same author

Risk factors for transmission of foot-and-mouth disease during an outbreak in southern England in 2007.

The Veterinary record·2011
Same author

Malignant catarrhal fever in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the UK.

The Veterinary record·2009

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary medicine and Rabbit haemorrhagic disease epidemiology
  • Infectious disease surveillance in wildlife populations

Background:

No prior work had resolved the sudden emergence of unexplained mortality events among domestic rabbit populations in southern England during the early nineties. Researchers lacked definitive diagnostic evidence regarding the specific pathogen responsible for these rapid deaths. This uncertainty drove a comprehensive investigation into the clinical presentation of the affected animals. Prior research has shown that similar viral outbreaks occurred elsewhere in Europe during that same period. The absence of confirmed cases within British borders left a significant gap in regional epidemiological knowledge. Scientists needed to determine if these incidents represented a novel threat to local lagomorphs. This gap motivated a detailed examination of tissue samples collected from the impacted premises. Establishing the presence of this specific viral agent became a priority for national veterinary authorities.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of sudden and increased mortality among adult rabbits in southern England. Researchers sought to determine if these deaths were linked to a specific infectious agent. The team addressed the lack of information regarding the health status of local rabbit populations. This effort was motivated by the need to identify potential threats to regional animal welfare. Scientists intended to provide a clear diagnosis for the unexplained loss of life on the affected premises. They aimed to compare the clinical signs with known disease profiles from other geographic areas. The study sought to establish whether the virus had successfully crossed into British territory. This work was designed to clarify the nature of the outbreak through rigorous diagnostic procedures.

Keywords:
lagomorph pathologycalicivirus detectionveterinary surveillanceepidemiological report

Frequently Asked Questions

The researchers identified the pathogen by detecting virus particles that appeared similar to caliciviruses within the liver tissue of the deceased animals.

The team utilized clinical observations, pathological examinations of tissue, and laboratory analysis to verify the diagnosis.

A thorough examination of the liver was necessary because the virus particles were localized within this organ in the infected specimens.

The study relied on pathological data and morphological analysis of viral particles to confirm the identity of the disease.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

The review approach involved a retrospective analysis of sudden death events occurring on two separate properties. Investigators performed clinical assessments of the animals to document the progression of the illness. Pathological evaluations were conducted to identify internal signs of the condition within the specimens. Laboratory experts utilized specialized techniques to visualize the structure of the suspected infectious agents. The team compared these findings against established diagnostic criteria for known lagomorph infections. This systematic process allowed for the verification of the pathogen's identity. Researchers synthesized data from the site visits to characterize the scope of the outbreak. The methodology focused on confirming the presence of the virus through direct observation and laboratory testing.

Main Results:

The investigation successfully identified the first recorded instances of this viral infection in the United Kingdom. Clinical and pathological assessments revealed signs consistent with the disease in adult rabbits. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of virus particles within the liver tissue. These particles displayed a morphology that resembled caliciviruses under microscopic examination. The mortality events occurred on two distinct premises located in the south of England. Data collection took place during April 1992 following reports of increased death rates. The findings provided definitive proof of the disease's arrival in the region. This evidence established a clear link between the observed mortality and the specific viral agent.

Conclusions:

The authors confirm the initial detection of this viral pathogen within British borders. These findings establish the presence of the disease in the United Kingdom during the spring of 1992. The evidence provided by the liver analysis supports the identification of the causative agent. This synthesis highlights the importance of monitoring sudden mortality in animal populations. The report serves as a historical record for the emergence of this infection. Future surveillance efforts rely on the diagnostic criteria established during this initial event. The data confirms that the clinical signs observed were consistent with the viral infection. These observations provide a foundation for understanding the early spread of the virus.

The investigation measured the rate of mortality and observed clinical signs to determine if the events matched known disease patterns.

The authors propose that these cases represent the first documented occurrence of this specific viral infection in the United Kingdom.