According to a Mytholmroyd vetinary surgery there has been a huge increase in the number of rabbits suffering from the fatal disease myxomatosis in the past few weeks.

Dramatic increases in the disease have already been reported across the country recently, but it is said to be the first signs of an epidemic coming to Calderdale.

"We have had a big jump in the number of reports," said Clare Wright, who has been a vet at the Mytholmroyd branch of West Mount Vets for the past 20 years, "There is certainly an epidemic coming.

"One of our patients lost three rabbits to it and she was just devastated – it's a horrible disease and spreads very easily.

"We've had more wild rabbits bought in with it from around Hardcastle Crags and Hebden Bridge as well. The rabbits have their eyes and heads swollen and it leads to a lingering death.

"From talking to other vets it is restricted to the Calder Valley at the moment but I would urge rabbit owners to get vaccinations for their pets."

Although myxomatosis is a wild rabbit disease, insect bites can infect domestic pets as well.

The disease is carried by rabbit fleas and mosquitos and it is thought to be increasing because of this year's mild, damp weather.

Sean Wensley, a senior vet at animal charity PDSA, who have seen a 300 per centre rise in the disease in parts of Britain, said: "The effects of the myxomatosis virus are very distressing to witness and are usually fatal. By the time clinical signs have developed it is often too late."

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