A DEADLY mutating virus could spell the end to the domestic rabbit industry according to one Southampton rescue centre.

The virus is reportedly sweeping the south with cases in the city as well as Eastleigh and Hythe.

RHD2 is a mutation of a previous virus and is leaving rabbits haemorrhaging to death after attacking lungs and other internal organs.

Now, Southampton Rabbit Rescue owner Sue Leigh has warned that it could be the end of the domestic industry and her centre as she turns away any rabbits who don’t have documented proof that it has been vaccinated first.

The centre currently cares for 25 rabbits but Sue says with a vaccine, they stand a chance, as there is no effective treatment for the virus.

Sue said: “It has come from Europe, I believe from a rabbit in France who first came over for a show.

“We know it spreads through food and cages, but we think it could also now be airborne, which is very scary.

“We aren’t accepting rabbits now unless they are already vaccinated and have proof of that. All of our rabbits are vaccinated and with that, they stand a chance.”

The vaccine had been developed in Europe but due to the demand in the UK, it rapidly vanished.

National animal welfare charity the RSPCA said it ‘strongly recommends’ all rabbits are vaccinated against RHD, but the usual veterinary injection doesn’t protect against the virus, which is a strain of RHD1.

Sue also said that getting all of the rabbits in her vaccinated cost £600, and that if they can’t accept rabbits who don’t have proof of vaccination, that it could be the end to her business.

As the spread effects cages and bedding, an infection would mean throwing their existing equipment away and replacing it with a cost she said the centre couldn’t afford.

She said: “It could be the end to the industry as the vaccine is only made by a small company for the French meat market, and now they’re being inundated with people from Britain asking for it.

“We couldn’t replace all of our equipment; vaccinating all of our animals was expensive enough, so we have to be very careful.

“The industry is slowly getting there, but we need more awareness and for people to actually take these steps and realise.

“The virus is virtually symptomless, and when you do see signs, they’re too quick to do a thing about, so you have to be really on the lookout.”