AN OUTBREAK OF MYXOMATOSIS CAUSED BY A MODERATELY ATTENUATED STRAIN OF MYXOMA VIRUS

Since the original epizootic of myxomatosis in this country (1953–55) carcasses of rabbits from outbreaks of the disease have been sent regularly to the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, but no detailed investigations have been carried out on outbreaks of disease in natural populations in Great Britain since 1954 (Armour & Thompson, 1955). In July 1962 a rabbit was sent from the East Riding of Yorkshire and as a matter of routine this establishment was informed of the outbreak. The population of rabbits concerned was large and occupied an area of approximately 200 acres. The strain of virus causing the outbreak was attenuated and when this was discovered efforts were made to secure samples for as long as the outbreak lasted.