These overlapping circles indicate the expected distance the rabbit virus RHDV1 K5 will spread in Otago over the next two months. Source: Otago Regional CouncilDesperate farmers could be unintentionally sabotaging the release of the new strain of rabbit calicivirus in Otago. Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said yesterday he did not want to point fingers, but he had heard "second-hand" that some landowners were attempting to remove carcasses of animals where the virus had been released. "Even if it's well-meaning, the worst thing people can do is transport the carcasses and spread them themselves," he said. In Spain, the virus spread about 12km to 15km a month naturally; in Australia it could be spread up to 150km a month.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 22, 2018 16:18 UTC