Can humans catch myxomatosis from cooking wild rabbits?
Myxomatosis is a disease of rabbits, both domestic and wild, which is caused by the myxoma virus, a member of the pox family. It does not affect any other mammals or mankind. The virus is transmitted to susceptible rabbits by biting insects. It may also be transmitted directly between rabbits if they are in very close proximity, although this is much less common. The first clinical sign to appear is conjunctivitis (‘red eye’) with a runny discharge. The rabbit may be dull, with a loss of appetite and develops a high fever. Some rabbits may die very quickly, others can develop swollen eyes, lips, nose and ears, with laboured breathing. It is present throughout Europe, including the UK, and also in Australia.
