A Chinese farmer from central China reportedly lost more than 800 of his rabbits after using a fake vaccine on them.

The farmer, who was only identified as Li, bought multiple boxes of the cheap vaccines on December 22, according to the South China Morning Post. He reportedly bought the fake vaccine from a salesman in Luoyang, Henan province, who claimed to be working for a local animal vaccine producer.

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The salesman offered to sell the fake vaccines at 30 yuan per box, way cheaper than similar animal vaccines from other companies which normally sell for 50 yuan. Thinking that he was saving some money, Li bought 10 boxes of the fake animal vaccine for 300 yuan.

After using the vaccines, however, some of Li's rabbits started dying in January. Within two months of using the vaccine, more than 800 of his 1000 rabbits died, amounting to about 30,000 yuan in total economic losses.

After examining the rabbits, experts from a local veterinary society told Li that the cause of the massive deaths was a viral haemorrhagic disease that was brought about by using the vaccine which was already expired.

Li contacted the salesman after his rabbits died, but the latter did not give any explanation. Reporters also contacted the manufacturer stated in the vaccine's packaging, but a staff member replied that they did not produce the fake vaccine.

Li also went to the company's address stated on the packaging labels, and found out that the information is also fake: a woman who answered Li's knocking said that the property was a residential apartment. She added that she did not know the company.

Li went to the police on Thursday and reported the case.

TagsRabbits, vaccine, Fake vaccine, Henan Province