Are humans falling ill from rabbit haemorrhagic disease?

Why aren't sick humans being monitored for possible infection by RHD in a country who is deliberately spreading this disease?

Do we have to wait for people to be found dead from unknown causes and even then, will authorities be able to detect whether RHD was the cause?

Who knows what illness RHD may cause in humans who are exposed to continuing high levels of the disease.

27th July 1997

Dear Dr Smith,

A lady I know in the rabbit club has been afflicted with an illness that has attacked her with a vengence and nobody knows what it is. She has had flu-like symptoms followed by a terrible sore stomach, lethargy, gastro and her older children have had to rush her to hospital in the early hours of the morning (several times)where she was given an injection of morphine.

The hospital has tested her for physical illness including giving a barium meal and no physical cause can be found. They don't know what is wrong with her. The latest prognosis was that she may have a mystery virus that is attacking her stomach lining yet no attempts are being made to see what this virus is.

My friend is tough middle aged lady who has kept rabbits for a long time. I am very worried. If people get this sick in a country that has been deliberately spreading rabbit haemorrhagic disease, and no-one is monitoring humans, what will happen if humans become very ill and no-one is looking to find whether RHD is the cause?

Should I advise this lady to ask the hospital to test her for RHD? What type of tests would they do and would they be sensitive enough to tell us what virus is making her so ill?

Your urgent reply would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Marguerite