Myxomatosis is a highly contagious viral disease of European rabbits causing severe welfare impacts, originally introduced deliberately to Australia and subsequently spreading globally through wild populations.
Myxomatosis causes prolonged suffering over 10-14 days as affected rabbits become blind, develop severe swellings, and experience systemic illness before death. Wild rabbits suffering myxomatosis are often unable to flee predators and face the additional welfare impact of vulnerability during an already severe illness. Intervention through humane killing of severely affected animals may be appropriate.