No indication of myxomatosis outbreak, say experts

THERE are no signs that the killer disease myxomatosis is on the increase among Ireland’s rabbit population.

Wildlife observers gave the assurances yesterday as a flare-up of the virus was confirmed in Britain, following recent severe flooding and the current spell of humid weather.

Des Crofton, director of the National Association of Regional Game Councils, said there was nonoticeable increase of myxomatosis in Ireland.

“The other evening I counted 32 rabbits grazing in just one paddock. I have not come across a single carcass with myxomatosis,” he said.

Myxomatosis is common in wild rabbits and spread to pets by biting flies and fleas.

A vaccine is available to protect against it.

Judith Brown, veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association in Britain, said myxomatosis often flares up at the end of the summer and could linger until November.

“This year the humid weather has created ideal conditions for the spread of biting insects such as mosquitoes and fleas that carry the disease.

“These insects thrive in warm, wet weather and there are also lots of stagnant waters that are the breeding grounds for these populations,” she said.

Veterinary experts in Ireland have warned that the wet weather in June and July is set to fuel a fly explosion, which could lead to the risk of production losses and disease problems in cattle, particularly dairy cows.

Fergal Morris, veterinary specialist at Schering Plough Animal Health, said earlier this month that the wet conditions will lead to much higher populations of flies longer and later in the season, particularly if the warm weather lasted through August.

“Milder conditions last winter combined with damp conditions in February have compounded the problem and resulted in greater populations of flies coming into the summer,” he said.

Mr Morris advised farmers to treat animals with insecticide. Otherwise, the expected explosion in fly numbers will cause severe agitation, resulting in production losses and increased risk of diseases such as summer mastitis and pink eye.