Barriers to Management of a Foreign Animal Disease at the Wildlife-Domestic Animal Interface: The Case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in the United States

Abstract

The increasing global emergence of pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals are critically important conservation and economic concerns. International organizations, such as the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), have called for cross-jurisdictional government investment in defensible, reliable surveillance systems and biosecurity measures to prevent pathogen transmission at the wildlife-domestic animal interface. A classic example of a pathogen that transmits across the wildlife-domestic animal interface is rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), which has spread to five continents in the 11 years since its discovery. RHDV2 is a highly contagious virus that infects wild and domestic rabbits and hares (lagomorphs). Globally, RHDV2 has resulted in population declines of wild lagomorphs, with associated biodiversity and hunting impacts, as well as economic losses for commercial rabbit industries. To assess the degree to which government agencies are positioned to engage in cross-jurisdictional approaches to mitigate pathogen spillover, we conducted the first study of how agricultural and wildlife agencies in the United States of America (U.S.) have responded to RHDV2 since it was detected in wild and domestic lagomorphs in March 2020. We surveyed and interviewed animal health personnel at 95 state wildlife and agricultural agencies, thereby accounting for all 50 states. Agencies have primarily responded to RHDV2 through disease investigations of potential RHDV2 cases, vaccinations, and education and outreach with the public and stakeholder groups. However, agencies' inconsistent jurisdiction within and across states over lagomorph populations and industries, limited knowledge of wild lagomorph populations and the composition of the domestic rabbit industry, and resource constraints have hindered management efforts. Improved understanding of the domestic lagomorph trade and transport routes is urgently needed to mitigate the risks associated with human-mediated movement of rabbits and RHDV2 across the U.S. Greater flexibility in agency funding and increased allocation of discretionary funds to agencies for management of animal diseases would allow agencies to respond more rapidly and effectively to emerging pathogens such as RHDV2. Federal leadership is needed to engage state agencies in collaborative, proactive interagency disease management across the U.S.

Engaging stakeholders in wildlife disease management: Hunters' willingness to adopt and support biosecurity actions to prevent the spread of rabbit hemorrhagic disease

“…While outreach and education are important components of RHDV2 management, wildlife agencies should more actively engage hunters in the management of RHDV2 rather than assuming hunters will report potential RHVD2 cases (Cretois et al, 2020; Shapiro et al, 2022). Hunters can act as citizen scientists who provide valuable information about population trends and mortality events in the areas they hunt, regardless of the wildlife species they are pursuing (Cretois et al, 2020).…”

“…Unfortunately, both rabbit and nonrabbit hunters had low levels of knowledge about RHDV2 and its transmission, which would hamper their active engagement in biosecurity actions. Although some state wildlife agencies have connected with stakeholder groups, created educational materials, recommended biosecurity behaviors for hunters, and instituted rule changes to protect lagomorph populations from RHDV2, these efforts vary greatly between states (Shapiro et al, 2022). Inconsistencies in agency management and communication about RHDV2 have likely contributed to respondents' low level of awareness and knowledge about RHDV2 and their lack of opinion about agencies' effectiveness in managing RHDV2.…”

“…One of the greatest conservation challenges that wildlife agencies face is to prevent the introduction of foreign animal pathogens into naïve wildlife populations. This is a task that is complicated by the growing global trade in live animals and associated pathogen transmission at the wildlife–domestic animal interface (e.g., avian influenza, chronic wasting disease; Shapiro et al, 2022). Accordingly, international organizations (e.g., The World Organization for Animal Health) have called for government investment in defensible and reliable surveillance systems and biosecurity measures to prevent pathogen transmission at the wildlife–domestic animal interface (Portier et al, 2019; Ryser‐Degiorgis, 2013; Stephen et al, 2019).…”

“…In an effort to control RHDV2, state wildlife agencies have worked with agricultural agencies to investigate suspected RHDV2 mortalities, implemented temporary management or rule changes (e.g., prohibitions on movement of wild lagomorph carcasses from RHDV2-positive areas; Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2021), and created outreach and educational materials. State wildlife agencies rely on hunters to report suspicious rabbit deaths (passive disease surveillance) and to adopt appropriate biosecurity actions to mitigate RHDV2 transmission (e.g., removing carcasses from the field; Shapiro et al, 2022). Lagomorphs exploit seasonal habitats during periods of optimal conditions (Heldstab, 2021).…”

A novel vaccine candidate against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) confers protection in domestic rabbits

“…In the United States and other parts of the world, this disease has become endemic in a very short period of time, and thus, control strategies implemented across boundaries are needed. 16 Vaccines such as the one evaluated herein are necessary for preventing the spread of disease and mass mortality events in rabbit populations.…”