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Domestic rabbit owners urged to be aware of new virus release to control pest animals

Latrobe City Council is warning pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their animals as the Department of Agriculture releases a new strain of virus designed to kill pest rabbits.

By Portal Admin - 15th March 2017 - Back to News

The virus, referred to as K5, will be released in March across Victoria.

Pet rabbit owners can make sure their animals are protected against the virus by ensuring their animals up to date with vaccinations. Kittens should be vaccinated at four, eight and 12 weeks then every six months; adults should receive two vaccinations one month apart, then every six months.

Other simple precautions can be taken such as avoiding contact with pest rabbits, not cutting grass to feed pets from areas where feral rabbits may graze, washing hands thoroughly when handling rabbits and insect proofing rabbit hutches.

Pest rabbits are Australia's most destructive agricultural pest animal, costing $200 million in lost agricultural production every year, with a further $6 million expended on rabbit

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