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Resolution of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) Outbreak in Singapore
  • +6
  • Kelvin Lim,
  • Alwyn Tan,
  • Kelvin Ho,
  • Wendy Sng,
  • Hwee Ping Lim,
  • Cathy Chan,
  • Toh Xinyu,
  • Jasmine Ong,
  • Charlene Fernandez
Kelvin Lim
National Parks Board

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Alwyn Tan
National Parks Board
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Kelvin Ho
National Parks Board
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Wendy Sng
National Parks Board
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Hwee Ping Lim
National Parks Board
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Cathy Chan
The Animal Doctors Pte Ltd (Singapore) Block 108 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 Unit 01-94/96 Singapore 560108
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Toh Xinyu
National Parks Board
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Jasmine Ong
National Parks Board
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Charlene Fernandez
National Parks Board
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Abstract

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a significant viral disease affecting lagomorphs. The first documented cases of RHD in Singapore occurred in adult pet European rabbits in September 2020. Singapore subsequently declared the outbreak resolved in December 2020. Epidemiological investigations ruled out introductions via importation of infected rabbits and contaminated feed. The source could not be definitively determined. However, the findings suggest that the incident involved both inter- and intra-household transmission and veterinary clinic-household transmission. This incident demonstrated the importance of sustained application of biosecurity measures, epidemiological investigations, and control, including active case finding, expedient vaccine dissemination, and risk communications. It shows that Singapore, an urbanised city-state, without a significant lagomorph population, could still encounter emerging diseases such as rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Given its social impact on rabbit owners, the National Parks Board Singapore and the private veterinarians worked together to communicate and urge the adoption of biosecurity measures and assuage the concerns of rabbit owners.
14 Jun 2021Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
14 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
14 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
08 Aug 20211st Revision Received
08 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Aug 20212nd Revision Received
31 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
31 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
02 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Accept