A Comprehensive overview of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Egypt

Abstract

A significant event occurred in Egypt in 1991 when Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) was introduced, causing a serious threat to the rabbit industry. Because of its high morbidity and mortality, RHDV is an industry-destructive agent, causing financial losses in Egypt's production of rabbits. RHDV is a lagovirus, a member of the Caliciviridae family, which is the cause of RHD. Three RHD outbreaks have been identified in Egypt, the first, related to the classical RHD virus (RHDV), occurred in 1991; The second type, known as the variant virus (RHDVa), occurred in 2007; and the third, known as the variant virus (RHDVb/RHDV2), was identified in 2018, and the first part of 2019. RHD can affect rabbits of all ages, both domestic and wild. There are three ways that RHD manifests, per-acute, acute, and subacute or chronic forms. Rates of mortality are often extremely high, particularly during per acute and acute phases, and are linked to necrotic hepatitis. and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The liver, lungs, and spleen have been found to have the most significant lesions. The diagnosis of RHDV relies on clinical picture and laboratory investigations such as molecular, histological and serological techniques can be used. Despite the availability of RHDV vaccinations, outbreaks of the virus continue to occur in several Upper and Lower governorates in Egypt. Therefore, the most significant factors of prevention and control methods are the use of preventative inactivated vaccines in conjunction with the carrying out of sanitary measures. So, in this overview study, the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, prevention, and control measures of RHD are highlighted, with reference to the Egyptian situation from 1991 to 2024.