wild rabbit with (I think) myxomatosis

I hesitate with this diagnosis, as the rabbit looks in good condition (with the exception of its eyes).  This animal behaved sluggishly as I walked past, and didn't disappear into the high grass.

Rabbit meat has for several millennia been used for human consumption, and is prized in many countries.

In Britain rabbit consumption almost ceased during the 1950s, with the introduction of the myxomatosis virus to stem the ever growing rabbit population.  It is a very nasty disease, producing a lingering death.  Clearly it still occurs among rabbits, even if most of the population has acquired an immunity to it.

I wouldn't eat a British rabbit simply because this virus is still active.  A pity, as rabbits are highly efficient in converting plant proteins to animal proteins, and could be providing a tasty (and cheap) component of our diet.