# Italian regional hunting bans due to myxomatosis

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-regional-hunting-bans-due-to-myxomatosis
> Updated: 2026-11-06T17:00:51.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In late October 2026, the Lombardy region implemented hunting bans in several areas, including the provinces of Mantua and Cremona, to protect rabbit populations from the Toledo variant of myxomatosis. These measures followed census data showing significant population decreases and mirrored similar conservation actions taken in Varese, the Bergamasque Prealps, and the Ferrara province of Emilia-Romagna.

By early November, the Veneto region expanded its own hunting bans to include 12 additional hunting areas and 7 alpine districts. This response follows the detection of the ha-Myxovirus (Toledo-MYXV) strain, which was first identified in Italy in September. This recombinant virus, capable of infecting both rabbits and hares, was initially detected in August at a hare farm in Padua before spreading to wild populations in the Padua and Venice hunting areas.

## Claims

- The Veneto region has extended the hunting ban on hares to 12 additional hunting areas and 7 alpine districts. (reported by 4 sources)
- The new hunting ban is in effect from November 7 until November 30. (reported by 4 sources)
- The ha-Myxovirus (Toledo-MYXV) was detected in Italy for the first time in September. (reported by 4 sources)
- The ha-Myxovirus strain is capable of infecting both rabbits and hares. (reported by 4 sources)
- An outbreak was identified in August at a hare farm in the province of Padua. (reported by 4 sources)
- The ha-Myxovirus strain first appeared in Spain in 2018. (reported by 4 sources)
- The virus has spread to Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. (reported by 4 sources)
- Clinical symptoms include nodular lesions on the head, eyes, nose, legs, and anogenital region. (reported by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-06: Veneto expands hunting ban due to rabbit virus outbreak

Veneto has extended its hunting ban on hares until November 30 due to the spread of the ha-Myxovirus, a recombinant strain of myxomatosis affecting both rabbits and hares.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veneto-expands-hunting-ban-due-to-rabbit-virus-outbreak

### 2026-10-27: Lombardy implements hunting bans to combat rabbit myxomatosis

Lombardy has banned rabbit hunting in Mantua and most of Cremona starting October 26 to protect populations from myxomatosis.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lombardy-implements-hunting-bans-to-combat-rabbit-myxomatosis

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Cite as: Italian regional hunting bans due to myxomatosis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-regional-hunting-bans-due-to-myxomatosis