Rabbit owners are advised to get their animals vaccinated against the fatal disease.
Keystone / Damian Dovarganes
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) seems to be becoming more virulent in Switzerland, according to the Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) association. The virus concerned is harmless for humans but fatal for rabbits.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
It is currently spreading and has caused high rabbit mortality, especially in the northern canton of Argau, SAP said in a press releaseExternal link on Friday.
The disease regularly causes outbreaks in the rabbit population, but more animals have been affected this year than last, according to figures from the Federal Office of Veterinary Affairs (OSAV).
PSA is urging all rabbit owners to have their animals vaccinated. The vaccine, which has been available since 2020, makes it possible to avoid a painful death, according to the animal protection group. There is no treatment for the disease.
Infected rabbits present the following symptoms: fever, apathy, trembling and shortness of breath. Shortly before dying, they suffer spasms and nosebleeds.
The virus is highly contagious and affects both wild and domestic rabbits. It is transmitted mainly by direct contact between rabbits. It can also be transmitted indirectly through secretions, excrement or urine contaminating food or bedding. It remains infectious in the environment for up to 100 days.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
Swiss reject plans for bigger motorways and extra rights for landlords
Black Friday gets off to a slow start in Swiss shops
This content was published on
Black Friday has established itself as one of the biggest shopping events in Switzerland in recent years. On Friday, however, business was rather slow, especially in the stores.
This content was published on
The invasive Japanese beetle has been discovered in Valais, southwestern Switzerland. The canton now wants to stop the spread of the voracious plant pest.
Court overturns minimum wages in Zurich and Winterthur
This content was published on
The administrative court of canton Zurich has annulled the ordinance on the introduction of a municipal minimum wage in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Winterthur. It said the ordinances violated cantonal law.
Nominal Swiss wages up 1.5% in 2024, says latest estimate
This content was published on
Wages in Switzerland are likely to have risen slightly more in 2024 than previously assumed. However, some of this is likely to be eaten up by inflation.
CERN ends cooperation with institutes from Russia and Belarus
This content was published on
The cooperation agreement between CERN and Russia and Belarus will be terminated on Saturday, as previously announced. The move is a reaction to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
Swiss private bank Lombard Odier charged with serious money laundering
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has charged the private bank Lombard Odier and a former employee with serious money laundering.
This content was published on
The Swiss Air Force wants to halve the number of its demonstrations and exhibitions to save money. Participation abroad is planned only in exceptional cases from the beginning of 2025.
Updated free trade deal between Switzerland and China set for 2025
This content was published on
The enhanced free trade agreement between Switzerland and China is set to enter into force in 2025. This is the assumption of parliamentarian Thomas Aeschi, president of the EU-EFTA delegation.
Swiss government sees no need for special law on Sarco suicide capsule
This content was published on
Following the first use of the Sarco assisted suicide capsule in Switzerland in September, the government sees no need for legislative action for the time being.
This content was published on
The top three places of Switzerland's biggest fortunes remain unchanged in 2024, dominated by the co-owner of the Parisian label Chanel.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
New vaccine against bird flu to be tested in Swiss zoos
This content was published on
A new vaccine against bird flu has received approval by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) for testing in two zoos in Bern and Basel.
This content was published on
A major display of small domestic animals is to open in the Swiss town of Fribourg later this week – boasting more than 10,000 creatures.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.