IBERIAN HARES IN DANGER!

Myxomatosis was thought to affect only the European rabbit. It was true until last year when several reports of abnormal mortalities in Iberian hares were described in Spain. The affected animals presented symptoms consistent with classic rabbit myxomatosis.

In the recently published paper, the researchers analysed the complete genome of virus samples found in Iberian hares with symptoms of myxomatosis. The results show that the disease was caused by a new strain of Myxoma virus. This new virus present unique mutations which could be responsible to more effectively counteract the defences in hares and make the virus pathogenic to this new host.

To know more about this topic, please follow the links below:

“Cientistas identificam vírus que está a infetar as lebres na Península Ibérica” | SIC Notícias | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)
“Identificado vírus que está a infetar lebres na Península Ibérica” | Notícias ao Minuto | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)
“Nova estirpe de vírus está a infectar lebres da península Ibérica” | Wilder | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)
“Equipa do CIBIO-InBIO identifica vírus que está a matar as lebres ibéricas” | Notícias UP | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)
“Cientistas identificam vírus que está a infetar as lebres na Península Ibérica” | Observador | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)
“Vírus que está a infetar as lebres na Península Ibérica” | Notícias de Coimbra | June 12, 2019 (Information available in Portuguese)

To read the national press release for this study, please click here.

To access the original article, please click here.