Interaction Of myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in wild rabbit

Paper


Fulford, G. R., Lee, X. J., Berman, D. and Hamilton, G.. 2011. "Interaction Of myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in wild rabbit." 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011). Perth, Australia 12 - 16 Dec 2011 New Zealand.
Paper/Presentation Title

Interaction Of myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in wild rabbit

Presentation TypePaper
AuthorsFulford, G. R. (Author), Lee, X. J. (Author), Berman, D. (Author) and Hamilton, G. (Author)
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011)
ERA Conference ID44996
Number of Pages7
Year2011
PublisherModelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand
Place of PublicationNew Zealand
ISBN9780987214317
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://mssanz.org.au/modsim2011/B2/fulford.pdf
Conference/Event19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011)
International Congress on Modelling and Simulation
Event Details
International Congress on Modelling and Simulation
MODSIM
Rank
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Event Details
19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011)
Parent
International Congress on Modelling and Simulation
Delivery
In person
Event Date
12 to end of 16 Dec 2011
Event Location
Perth, Australia
Abstract

Increasing resistance of rabbits to myxomatosis in Australia has led to the exploration of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, also called Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) as a possible control agent. While the initial spread of RCD in Australia resulted in widespread rabbit mortality in affected areas, the possible population dynamic effects of RCD and myxomatosis operating within the same system have not been properly explored. Here we present early mathematical modelling examining the interaction between the two diseases. In this study we use a deterministic compartment model, based on the classical SIR model in infectious disease modelling. We consider, here, only a single strain of myxomatosis and RCD and neglect latent periods. We also include logistic population growth, with the inclusion of seasonal birth rates. We assume there is no cross-immunity due to either disease. The mathematical model allows for the possibility of both diseases to be simultaneously present in an individual, although results are also presented for the case where co-infection is not possible, since co-infection is thought to be rare and questions exist as to whether it can occur. The simulation results of this investigation show that it is a crucial issue and should be part of future field studies.

A single simultaneous outbreak of RCD and myxomatosis was simulated, while ignoring natural births and deaths, appropriate for a short timescale of 20 days. Simultaneous outbreaks may be more common in Queensland. For the case where co-infection is not possible we find that the simultaneous presence of myxomatosis in the population suppresses the prevalence of RCD, compared to an outbreak of RCD with no outbreak of myxomatosis, and thus leads to a less effective control of the population. The reason for this is that infection with myxomatosis removes potentially susceptible rabbits from the possibility of infection with RCD (like a vaccination effect). We found that the reduction in the maximum prevalence of RCD was approximately 30% for an initial prevalence of 20% of myxomatosis, for the case where there was no simultaneous outbreak of myxomatosis, but the peak prevalence was only 15% when there was a simultaneous outbreak of myxomatosis. However, this maximum reduction will depend on other param- eter values chosen. When co-infection is allowed then this suppression effect does occur but to a lesser degree. This is because the rabbits infected with both diseases reduces the prevalence of myxomatosis.

We also simulated multiple outbreaks over a longer timescale of 10 years, including natural population growth rates, with seasonal birth rates and density dependent (logistic) death rates. This shows how both diseases interact with each other and with population growth. Here we obtain sustained outbreaks occurring approximately every two years for the case of a simultaneous outbreak of both diseases but without simultaneous co-infection, with the prevalence varying from 0.1 to 0.5. Without myxomatosis present then the simulation predicts RCD dies out quickly without further introduction from elsewhere. With the possibility of simultaneous co-infection of rabbits, sustained outbreaks are possible but then the outbreaks are less severe and more frequent (approximately yearly).

While further model development is needed, our work to date suggests that: 1) the diseases are likely to interact via their impacts on rabbit abundance levels, and 2) introduction of RCD can suppress myx- omatosis prevalence. We recommend that further modelling in conjunction with field studies be carried out to further investigate how these two diseases interact in the population.

Keywordsrabbits, calicivirus, myxomatosis, RCD, RHDV, pest control
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020410407. Wildlife and habitat management
Public Notes

MODSIM papers are copyright of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc. (MSSANZ), who is also the publisher of the MODSIM Proceedings.
IP is retained by authors, giving them the right to use MODSIM papers for their own academic purposes, including distribution through personal/staff/organisation websites and reproduction of parts of the content in journals (with suitable acknowledgement of the MODSIM paper).

Byline AffiliationsQueensland University of Technology
Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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