In Australia, an uncontrollable, entirely unpredictable, often deadly, but sometimes silent virus has been introduced and purposefully spread across an entire continent. RHD's origins in China a decade ago remain unexplained. RHD's mechanisms and genetic make-up resulting in a rapid and bloody death are not known. RHD's mode of transmission, across open bodies of water and between continents has not been revealed nor have the reasons for RHD's frequent failure to transmit between rabbits inside experimental pens been determined. RHD's host range is undefined and can be expected to change constantly and unexpectedly.
Compelling evidence demonstrates human health effects.
Diagnostic reagents currently in use are worthless for detailed tracking of RHD and doing reliable epidemiology on all species at risk, including humans. Does New Zealand really want to buy into this Pandoras' Box where the benefits have been greatly misrepresented and oversold and the dangers simply brushed aside. It appears that not one of these known individuals is a calicivirologist, although RHD is said to involve a calicivirus. This is the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, the Calicivirus Working Group.