Deadly myxomatosis threatening hare population across South Moravia

The aggressive disease myxomatosis, which affects hares and wild rabbits, has spread across nearly all of South Moravia, Czech Radio reported, citing local sources. Veterinarians have so far confirmed the illness in 13 dead hares. More samples are being tested. The disease arrived in South Moravia from Lower Austria, with hunters reporting the first dead rabbits at the end of the summer.

Veterinarians say it is difficult to predict how the situation will develop. Falling temperatures may help slow the spread, as the insect carriers of the disease become less active. However, this will not eliminate transmission completely, since hares can pass the disease to one another. Humans can also serve as carriers.