Rabbit epidemic rages in the Ruhr area: Myxomatosis threatens wild animals!

Rabbit epidemic rages in the Ruhr area: Myxomatosis threatens wild animals!

Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland - An alarming virus threatens the wild rabbits and field hares in North Rhine-Westphalia! Myxomatosis, a dreaded viral disease, spreads rapidly and has already grasped large cities such as Gelsenkirchen and Bochum. Originally discovered in the Wesel district on the border with the Netherlands, the plague has moved unstoppably towards south and east since mid -August. The Situation is so serious that the mandatory autumn hunt in Herten was canceled to protect the already endangered rabbit population.

The hunters in NRW are on alert! The examination offices are reaching more and more reports about dead brown hare. Dr. Luisa Fischer from the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV) emphasizes how important the reports are to contain the dangerous virus. "Diagnoses made in the chord and will be sent," she reports. Lanuv spokesman Wilhelm Deitermann asks the public to report sick or dead brown hare in order to stop the expansion of the plague.

myxomatosis: a fatal threat

Myxomatosis, which was first found in Uruguay in 1896, is almost always fatal for the affected animals. The symptoms are alarming: strong swelling and growths on eyelids, noses and ears. The virus is transferred through direct contact between the animals and by mosquitoes that were particularly able to multiply this year due to the weather conditions. The frequent downpours have created ideal breeding grounds, and the mosquitoes are on the rise!

The situation is not only limited to NRW; Lower Saxony, Bremen and the Augsburg region are also affected. Experts already warn of a possible new virus in Europe that could trigger an epidemic or even pandemic. The threat is real, and time is pushing!