Usually, we think about viruses as the enemies that threaten our health. But this episode talks about a time when scientists decided to turn the tables and take advantage of a virus.

More specifically, we explore the time when Australia struggled with overpopulated rabbits that were damaging the local ecosystem and causing extinctions of heritage species. So finally, the Australian authorities decided to use the rabbit myxoma virus to eliminate the rabbits by lethal epidemics. Let's see what followed!

* If you enjoyed this episode and want to stay updated on more virology stories, please follow @virology_podcast or @karolina_science on Instagram :). * Sources:

F. Fenner, 2010: Deliberate introduction of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, into Australia

P. J. Kerr, 2021: Viruses for landscape-scale therapy: biological control of rabbits in Australia

B. Spiesschaert, 2011: The current status and future directions of myxoma virus, a master in immune evasion

P. J. Kerr, 2012: Myxomatosis in Australia and Europe: A model for emerging infectious disease

J. M. Alves, 2022: A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia