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Collaborative research conducted by the University of East Anglia has identified one of the leading causes of recent death in the United Kingdom among European brown hare populations.
In collaboration with diagnostic laboratories in England, Scotland and Germany, the first cases of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) type 2 virus have been detected in dead hares found in two locations: Esbad and Dorset.
EBU researchers have collaborated with Suffolk, Norfolk and Esbad Wildlife Trusts, the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the APHA Surveillance Intelligence Unit to investigate the causes of the death of hares following reports of sick and dead hares.
Lead researcher, Diana Bell, of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at UEA, said: "RHDV2 normally affects rabbits, but we know that the disease has spread to brown hares in Europe. in Italy, Spain, France and Australia.
"This is the first time that RHDV2 has been found in hare in the UK.
"RHDV2 is one of many pathogens we detect in dead hares, and it is too early to say what is currently the leading cause of hare mortality." We are continuing our research into other causes of death. death."
At the national level, brown hares have declined by more than 80% over the past century due to changes in farming practices. The intensification of agriculture has limited their supply of food and shelter.
But concerns about new diseases were raised after landowners, farmers and other members of the public began reporting sightings of obviously sick and dead hares in September 2018.
Members of the public were urged to photograph sick and dying hares and, most importantly, to collect the bodies for an autopsy, in order to determine the impact of new and existing diseases on hare populations.
"We are extremely grateful to the British public for pointing out dead hares and helping us collect them for autopsies, and we are extremely grateful for that and it is a good example of citizen science.
"Hare deaths are always reported to us and we are still collecting bodies to test RHDV2 and other pathogens that may be contributing to the decline.
Hares can be distinguished from rabbits in many ways. Hare are larger than rabbits, with longer hind legs and black-tipped ears as long as the head.
"It is still too early to say which diseases are most common at the present time, but the expanding dataset will allow us to map the reported mortality over time."
& # 39; The first cases of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) have been confirmed in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in the United Kingdom "is published today in Veterinary record Friday, January 25, 2019.
The research team continues to collect dead hares for autopsy. If you find a freshly killed hare, please report it to Dr. Bell by emailing [email protected].
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