used and accurate testing modality for RNA-based viruses. Other tests used include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, electron microscopy, immunostaining, Western blot, and in situ hybridization. The tissue of choice for molecular testing is fresh or frozen liver, as it usually contains the largest numbers of virus, but if this is not available, spleen and serum can also be used. Identification of the strain of RHDV is needed so vaccination protocols can be adjusted accordingly. Prevention and control Vaccines A number of vaccines available against RHD are sold in countries where the disease is endemic. All provide 12 months of protection against RHD viruses. Because RHD viruses cannot normally be grown in vitro, how these vaccines are produced is affected. Inactivated RHD vaccines, including Eravac, Felavac, and Cylap, are “liver-derived”, meaning that laboratory rabbits are intentionally infected with RHD and their livers and spleens harvested to make vaccines. Each rabbit used results in the production of thousands of vaccine doses. This has led to controversy among rabbit lovers, who question the ethics of some rabbits having to die to protect others but is not an issue where rabbits are primarily farmed for meat. Another method of reproducing the virus is through recombinant technology, where antigenic portions of the RHD viruses are inserted into viruses that can be grown in culture. This is the method used to create Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS. Vaccines against only the classic RHDVa strain are: Cylap RCD Vaccine, made by Zoetis, protects rabbits from two different strains of RHDVa (v351 and K5) that are used for wild rabbit control in Australia. CUNIPRAVAC RHD®, manufactured by HIPRA, protects against the RHDVa strains found in Europe. Nobivac Myxo-RHD, made by MSD Animal Health, is a live myxoma-vectored vaccine that offers one-year duration of immunity against both RHDVa and myxomatosis. Vaccines against only the newer RHDV2 strain are: Eravac vaccine, manufactured by HIPRA, protects rabbits against RHDV2 for a year. Vaccines that protect against both RHDVa and RHDV2 strains include: Filavac VHD K C+V, manufactured by Filavie, protects against both classical RHDVa and RHDV-2. It is available in single dose and multidose vials. A soon-to-be-released vaccine from MSD Animal Health, Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS, is a live recombinant vector vaccine active against both RHDVa and RHDV2, as well as myxomatosis. Countries in which RHD is not considered endemic may place restrictions on importation of RHDV vaccines. Importation of these vaccines into the United