Factors predisposing rabbits to rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a highly infectious fatal viral disease of economic importance
which was implicated in recent outbreak among rabbits in South-West Nigeria. This study was carried
out to examine factors associated with RHD outbreak on rabbit farms in Oyo state in order to make
recommendations for control and prevention of future outbreaks. Physical visits were not made to
rabbit farms in order to limit the horizontal spread of the disease. A meeting was organized to interact
with fifty-one rabbit farmers who also filled out structured questionnaire to give information such as
basic management practices and biosecurity measures on their farms. Descriptive statistics such as
percentages and discrete choice model were used for data analysis. Most (70.59%) of the farmers are
small-scale rabbit farmers whose farms are multi-livestock oriented. RHD was experienced by 37.25%
of the farmers. Necropsy findings include hemorrhagic tracheitis, sero-mucoid nasal discharge,
congestion of lungs and liver parenchyma. The use of commercial feed and thoroughfares to visitors
were factors which significantly (at 5% level) increased the probability of RHD occurrence by 0.62
and 0.91 respectively. Strict biosecurity protocols must be observed on rabbit farms to control and
prevent RHD.