Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) known in Europe as haemorrhagic viral disease (HVD) did not occur in Australia until 1995. As haemorrhage is not a feature of this disease, the name RCD was adopted in Australia. RCD was first reported in China in 1984 and the disease had spread to Europe by 1986. By 1992 it had spread throughout most of Western Europe. It was reported for the first time in the UK in 1992 and Australia in 1995. Australian authorities have approved the virus for use to control “wild” rabbit populations.

The first reported case was in South Australia. Since then the virus has spread throughout most of Australia occupied by rabbits.

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