Alarming rabbits in Lower Saxony: Myxomatosis spreads rapidly!

Alarming rabbits in Lower Saxony: Myxomatosis spreads rapidly!

in Lower Saxony there is an alarm mood: in the fields the brown hare are in a miserable condition. They crouch in the grass and die apathetic and with glued eyes. The reason? A merciless virus that hardly gives the animals a chance of survival - the dreaded myxomatosis, also known as "rabbit plague"!

The situation is dramatic! In some regions of Lower Saxony, up to 90 percent of the brown hare die from this devastating disease. The Emsland and the county of Bentheim are particularly affected, but there are also alarming reports in East Frisia. The infection leads to a painful decay: the rabbits develop painful skin ulcers, get fever, and stick their eyes glue. Hard to flee, they become easy prey for hunters.

Virus spread and transmission paths

The new virus variant "Toledo", which was discovered in Spain in 2018, has been spreading in Germany since 2024 and has particularly devastating effects in Lower Saxony. The transmission is mainly through mosquitoes, but direct contact between the animals also plays a role. Experts hope that the cold winter months will slow down the spread of the virus because mosquitoes are less active in the cold. In affected areas it is recommended to temporarily shut down hunting grounds in order to give the surviving brown hare an opportunity for recovery.

Security for humans and pets

The good news: Myxomatosis is harmless to humans and other pets. However, direct contact with sick rabbits can lead to conjunctivitis. Affected animals should not be touched, but should be reported to the local authorities immediately. The situation is serious, and the hunters and experts face a huge challenge!