Alarm in NRW: Rabbit plague spreads rapidly-experts warn!

Alarm in NRW: Rabbit plague spreads rapidly-experts warn!

Bochum, Deutschland - An alarming outbreak of the so-called rabbit plague, also known as myxomatosis, spreads rapidly through North Rhine-Westphalia! Since mid -August, the plague has originated in the Wesel district, near the Dutch border, and is now unstoppable towards the south and east. According to the district of Recklinghausen, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum and Mettmann are now also affected. They worry in adjacent regions such as Hagen, grow every day!

Experts warn: This variant of the plague is not only dangerous for wild rabbits, but also hits the field hares to a scale that has never been seen before! The State Hunting Association reports on "dramatic outbreaks" and sees the entire field bunny population in acute danger. In Herten, even the autumn hunt was canceled in order not to endanger the already weakened existence. "What has happened in the past few weeks has never been observed in the field bunny in these dimensions," explains the association. The location is serious and the hunters are challenged!

Walkers pay attention: Report the dead frame rabbits!

Myxomatosis caused by the myxoma virus is a non-curable and almost always fatal illness. The virus, which first appeared in Uruguay in 1896, has spread worldwide over the years. This year not only the regions in North Rhine -Westphalia are affected, but also Lower Saxony and Bremen report cases. Walkers and nature lovers in Bochum and the surrounding area are urgently asked to report sufferers or died out rabbits. "If private individuals find a sick or dead brown hare, you should report this immediately to the hunters," appeals Wilhelm Deitermann from the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV).

The symptoms of the rabbit plague are alarming: swelling and growths on eyelids, noses, lips and ears can be observed frequently. While the virus is harmless to people, dogs, cats and guinea pigs, the transmission is mainly through direct contact between animals and through mosquito. This year, these were particularly well increased due to the continuing rains. The situation is tense - the hunters and the population have to work together to stop the spread of this dangerous plague!