A deadly virus will be released on Monday to help cull the Wellington region's feral population.

A deadly rabbit virus will be spread across Wellington in an effort to cull the region's feral population.

The Korean strain of the RHDV1 virus, specific to the European rabbit, will be released into about 30 sites across Wellington, Porirua, Wairarapa and the Kāpiti Coast from Monday.

Greater Wellington Regional Council said the programme would reduce feral rabbits' impact on the environment and agriculture.

"Our aim is to keep the wild rabbit population suppressed at low levels, and once RHDV1 K5 is released, it will naturally spread throughout the region's rabbit population," pest animals team leader Glen Falconer said.

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"Unfortunately, it's impossible to completely eliminate them, and conventional control methods should still be a part of the management of feral rabbit populations."

The virus is safe for humans and other animals, and will be released on private land or areas with minimal public access.

Releasing the deadly strain would complement traditional control methods such as shooting, fumigating, and toxic baiting, Falconer said.

It should produce results within a few weeks, with progress to be monitored as the virus spread throughout the rabbit population.

The new strain will replace the existing RHDV1 strain being used, to which many rabbits across New Zealand are immune because of an endemic benign virus. It is hoped the new strain will be up to 40 per cent more effective.

It works by inflicting a fatal haemorrhagic disease in the European rabbit, causing it to die rapidly after symptoms are shown.

Pet rabbit owners should not be concerned but are advised to talk to their vets about vaccinating pets with Cylap, the council said.

Most pet rabbits would have already been vaccinated, but owners should check the vaccines were up to date.

ADVICE FOR RABBIT OWNERS

* Prevent direct and indirect contact between domestic and wild rabbits

* Avoid cutting grass and feeding it to rabbits if there is the risk of contamination from wild rabbits

* Wash hands with warm soapy water before handling rabbits

* Insect-proof rabbit hutches or keep rabbits inside

* Isolate and dispose of contaminated rabbits

* Thoroughly clean and disinfect cages and equipment with products which include 10 per cent bleach or sodium hydroxide, or parvocide​ disinfectants.​