Do you think Myxomatosis should be a reportable disease?

[STAFFORDSHIRE FERRETER 0]

Apart from my countryside interests, I am also a ranger for a National Cycle Network route. A member of the public asked me (when I was on a cycle route) where they could report a case of a Rabbit with Myxomatosis to. The Rabbit was humanely disposed of and taken out of it's misery. I enquired with several agencies and some Governmental, but it appears that the same old advice was given to me. The advice was- Dispatch the Rabbit and bag and bin or burn or bury. Also I was advised to let anyone who has domesticated Rabbits to seek vetinary advice regarding immunisation. I was also told the disease is not a reportable one anymore.

 

I asked a vet about the effects on other animals such as Ferrets and I was told the disease is only affecting Rabbits at present and has not mutated. Some Rabbits are now immune to the disease.

 

Do you think Myxomatosis should be a reportable disease and the infected areas mapped and publically accessible?

[tegater 789]

The trouble is it comes and goes like the wind and we even get small pockets of it but the surrounding populations are free of it. Months later the reverse.

How would you actually define an area?

 

A little bit like the dowse affecting Ash trees. At this moment they want to know of infected areas but eventually it will be all over, and then that info will be irrelevant.

[theferreter 311]

it spreads like wild fire mate can ruin once good ferreting spots in no time will take them a few years to build back up again if your lucky

[paulus 26]

its cyclic and only rabbits that have recovered from it have imunity, this imunity is not passed on to offspring. It is believed the cycle is linked to the paracites that spread the virus

[skycat 6,174]

The only people who really care if rabbits get myxomatosis are those who want to ferret, shoot them. Farmers don't mind it as it saves them having to get someone in to control them, and the public don't care (for the most part) as they don't generally see wild animals out in the countryside. it's not like they are ruining a cash crop like the Colorado beetle on potatoes; in fact it's the opposite way round: rabbits ruin cash crops: no rabbits, crops safe.

[j j m 6,561]

i dont think any one would take any notice

[The one 8,511]

No government body is interested in myxi there probably still spreading it

[Guest Chancey]

its cyclic and only rabbits that have recovered from it have imunity, this imunity is not passed on to offspring. It is believed the cycle is linked to the paracites that spread the virus

i was told it every 7 years by a farmer dont know if theres any truth in it

[poachingmush 2]

if i was a rabbit i would rather die quick than be suffering from mixy i think its a rotton disease

[long dogs 580]

mixxy is a horrible cruel dissease

[martin 332]

A few years back farmers were buying mixy rabbits for good money to put down on there land.