ABSTRACT
The possibility of immunizing carnivores against rabies with live attenuated vaccine administered by the oral route was raised by North American scientists in the 1960s. Subsequently, several American and European teams tested different vaccine strains in the laboratory for efficacy and safety and studied vaccine stabilization, vaccine delivery systems, bait acceptance by wild animals, and bait distribution schemes. The first field trial of a cloned SAD (Street Alabama Dufferin) strain in baits designed to immunize foxes orally was conducted in an Alpine valley in Switzerland in 1978. A population containing approximately 60% immune foxes at the valley entrance stopped the spread of the disease into untreated upper parts of the valley. The strategic use of oral vaccination of foxes in additional regions of Switzerland resulted in freedom from the zoonosis in four-fifths of the country.
Subject(s)
Foxes/microbiology , Rabies Vaccines/administration & dosage , Rabies/veterinary , Vaccination/veterinary , Administration, Oral , Animals , Rabies/prevention & control , Switzerland , Vaccines, Attenuated/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Dog populations, like other populations, depend on the availability of resources (food, water, and shelter). Humans either make available or deliberately withhold resources for varying proportions of dog populations. Dog-keeping practices and the duties of responsible ownership vary with the cultural setting. Dog populations often attain densities that allow the species to be a main host of rabies. The epidemiology of dog rabies is not well understood, despite the easy access to dog populations. Today dog rabies is predominant in developing countries. In addition to the high rate of exposure of humans to dogs, traditional medical beliefs and practices are the most important cultural factors that lead to high numbers of cases of human rabies. Dog rabies control programs have been successful in the past, but most are failing today. Program development should follow managerial principles and take into consideration the biology of dog populations as well as cultural constraints. Elimination of stray dogs is not an efficient means of controlling either the dog population or rabies, but it may create public awareness.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Culture , Developing Countries , Dogs , Ecology , Population Control , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Rabies in Central Europe is maintained and spread by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The epidemiology is explained by a variety of parameters of the main host. Certain natural and artificial topographic features may function as barriers to the spread of the virus within fox populations. Taking into account epidemiological barriers greatly facilitated the strategic application of oral immunization of foxes for freeing Switzerland from rabies.
Subject(s)
Foxes/immunology , Rabies/veterinary , Vaccination/veterinary , Administration, Oral , Animals , Animals, Wild/immunology , Disease Vectors , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Geography , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/prevention & control , Rabies Vaccines/administration & dosage , Switzerland/epidemiology , Vaccination/methods , Vaccines, Attenuated/administration & dosageABSTRACT
A short description is given of the laboratory experience gained in oral immunization of foxes against rabies, and its application in a limited field trial in Switzerland with an attempt to control two outbreaks of fox rabies.
