Fatal Rabbit Flu

[davef]

Have a look at this link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/5269766.stm

This is the only recorded case of a fatal infection but the transmission is unusual, in that it is believed to have entered through a blister. It's normally contractedin humans by animal bite.
By the sounds of it the bacteria are a part of the normal respiratory flora of rabbits/sheep/cows/dogs/cats but it is 'special' in that it can infect but animals and humans.
It normally responds to penicillin based broad spectrum antibiotics.

From what I can find its not clear why the man who became infected developed such rapid septicemia.....

Seems sensible to wear gloves tho and to cook the bunnies thoroughly.

 

[geoff88]

If your so worried by this that you would use rubber gloves then you should stay well away from British roads.

Geoff

 

[Ogri the trog]

I've worn gloves for rabbit prep for a while now and this sad story emphasises the precautions which we should take.

Ogri the trog

 

[sharp88]

What ever happened to all the histeria about miximatosis (dunno if i spelled that right, but you get the point). Is the rabbit flu mentioned miximatosis, or is this a whole different thing?

Iv had severe acute ecsma on the back and some fingers of my right hand for roughly 6 years now so Im definately gonna wear gloves come winter when the point in time comes that I can use the majority of the rabbit - meat, pelt and bones.

When removing the lower legs of the rabbit, another thing to watch out for is the sharp bone when you snap the leg off. I did that once before n it bloody hurt actually. Perhaps the answer would be to cut the legs off at the joint in future.