Residents with pet rabbits have been urged to vaccinate their furry friends against the Korean strain of Calicivirus, RHDV1 K5. 

Hundreds of sites across NSW have been selected as release points for the strain to be released to control the wild population. 

The Leeton Veterinary Hospital will be holding a special vaccination day in order to protect the town’s pet rabbits from contracting the virus. “Once it’s out there it can spread very quickly,” vet nurse Melinda Angel said.

“Rabbits don’t have to come in contact with other rabbits that have it either. It can be spread my faeces, urine, body fluids and those kinds of things. It’s deadly. 

“Once a rabbit contracts it there’s a 90 per cent chance they will die from it.” It is hoped the newly-developed virus will eliminate large numbers of the feral rabbits across the country, much like previous instalments.

Agricultural regeneration and native animal protection remain at the forefront of minds when experts attempt to wipe out the introduced species with the method for the first time in 20 years.

Miss Angel said symptoms did appear in some rabbits, but for most it had a quick impact. 

“They will mainly start to become really lethargic, have a temperature, they’re off their food, but the big one is the internal bleeding … it happens pretty quick unfortunately,” she said. The vaccination day will be held at the clinic on March 14 at a discount rate. Call 6953 3111 to book a place.