Impact - Update Released On December 17, 2001
The latest outbreak has created a stronger impact than the two initial incidents. The issues we face stand out now in a way that we have not been able to see until now. It is important that all Rabbit people understand what we now know.This infection site is a public facility located in a major metropolitan area. We have confirmed that local pet stores have not been advised to take any precautions. Local Veterinarians have been informed of the outbreak by individuals, not the government. New York newspapers, television and radio programs have run no stories on the outbreak that we have found.
The site of the infection, the Wildlife Conservation Society's, (WCS) Queens Zoo/Wildlife Center, is a public facility. It has not closed pending knowledge of full containment. Visitors are not warned or asked to step into foot baths after strolling through. Though several promises were made to get back to us, the media contacts of WCS have failed to do so.
We were told by the New York State Vet's office that they did not believe that the virus would escape the facility. This is not in alignment with what we know about the virus. It does not take into the consideration the sticky quality of RHD or it's hardiness, (please see /vhdvhd.html#table. In order for this to be true, the originally contaminated object/person/animal/insect would have had to come in contact with no other people, items, insects, etc., until disinfected. How likely is that?
For those of you living close to the outbreak, please remember that your Rabbits are at risk for at least 90 days. The virus is viable on cloth at 68 degrees for 105 days. It has been 17 since the first death.
What the above tells us is that we have no protection. Not only are we lacking protections at our borders and protection through vaccines, we are also lacking protection through public awareness. The two earlier outbreaks took place in rural areas. We saw press in those incidents. Now, when so many are threatened, there is none. Please look to the protection offered to US Cows, Pigs and Sheep during the recent outbreak of FMD in England. Our position on the list of priorities in the eyes of the USDA is practically nonexistent.
In light of this, the Coalition has sent out a press release to New York media. It can be viewed at /decpressrelease.pdf
We know that some of you will take issue with the points we are raising. We are concerned with the impact complete awareness of the threats imposed by RHD on Rabbits, shelters and rescue. We are more concerned with the lack of awareness and the threats it creates. Many of us have been involved in this struggle since 1995 individually. We have been working together since November of 1999. We do not believe that dead Rabbits will create the kind of press we need to create enough pressure to get the protections we need. We do have some hope that the Universal Press Release Day will have an impact. Rabbits and their caretakers near Flushing, New York cannot wait.
Speaking of that, we want to remind you all of the Planning Strategy Chat being sponsored by the Coalition tomorrow evening. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 6:00 pm pst, at http://j.talkcity.com/GroupHome?group_id=244249.
The Coalition will be outlining our position on vaccines, and the plans we have in regards to pursuing vaccines as a protection against RHD infection. We invite others, organization representatives and individuals in a leadership position to join us tomorrow night to share their thoughts. We all have a choice. We can begin finding common ground and working towards common goals. Or remain separate and therefore weakened. Together we can protect Rabbit.
Finally we want to call your attention to the following heroes;
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Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Hawaii Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri New Hampshire New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania |
Val Rocco Robin May Sharon Dumas diane of The Sanctuary Nancy LaRoche Cinde Fisher Kimberley Miller Ruth Coppler Susie Stice Mary Kalb June Booth Carol Youngclaus & Astrid Kruse Jackie Smith-Burns Joanna Campbell Robin Rysavy Sondra Wilkins Corrine Fayo Kristi Cole Becky Webber Georgia Willison |
The people listed above have all given their valuable time and energy to safeguard all Rabbits in the US against RHD by becoming their state's State Rep. Is your state listed? If not, Become A Hero.
--Hazel Rah To The Black Rabbit From Watership Down, by Richard Adams ©1972
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