ORAL RABIES VACCINATION STRATEGIES TOWARD RACCOON (PROCYON LOTOR) RABIES ELIMINATION ON SUBURBAN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, USA.

Approximately 1.86 million baits containing a vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine were distributed with helicopters, vehicles, and bait stations during 2006-10. A bait density of 250 baits/km2 effectively controlled rabies cases in enzootic and preepizootic areas. However, a cluster of 11 rabid raccoons at the eastern edge of infection resulted in the initiation of semiannual, high-density (500 baits/km2) vaccination campaigns in approximately 20% of the oral rabies vaccination zone during July and September (2007-09). Bait success (i.e., chewed sachets or removed baits) at bait stations was negatively associated with station distances from water. Conversely, bait success improved with increasing distances from roads. Bait stations deployed significantly more baits in developed open space when compared to low- and medium- to high-intensity developed areas. However, a difference was not detected between developed open space and forest habitats. Rabies was confined to 86 raccoons within 317 km2 (10%) of a 3,133 km2 suburban landscape, with a disproportionate number of rabid raccoons (n=74) in developed areas, when compared to 10 cases in forest-wetland habitats. Two rabid raccoons did not fall within either general land-use classification. Rabies advanced 15.1 km eastward at a rate of 6.4 km/yr during a 28-mo interval (2004-06).

VIRUS NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY FOLLOWING ORAL RABIES VACCINATION OF RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) ON SUBURBAN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, USA.

Vaccine-laden baits were distributed to interrupt and halt raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies transmission in suburban Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, New York, US. Fishmeal polymer baits containing the RABORAL V-RG® vaccine were deployed with helicopters, bait stations, and vehicles at a target density of 250 baits/km2 during annual September campaigns (2006-10). Semiannual campaigns (500 baits/km2) were also initiated in a portion of the treatment zone (2007-09) in response to a persistent focus of rabid raccoons. The last enzootic case was reported in January 2009. The final vaccination campaign was completed in 2010. The raccoon variant of rabies virus is no longer circulating in Nassau or Suffolk counties. Significantly greater probabilities of raccoon seroconversion were observed in helicopter-deployed bait zones. The lowest probabilities of seroconversion were identified in vehicle and bait station-deployment bait zones, with a marginal advantage associated with bait-station deployment. Seroconversion was negatively associated with developed, medium-intensity areas and increasing human population density. Significantly higher rabies virus neutralizing antibody endpoint titrations were detected in helicopter and bait station-deployment zones.

Rapid analytical technique to identify alpha emitting isotopes in water, air-filters, urine, and solid matrices using a Frisch Grid detector.

A 5-inch-diameter Frisch Grid gas-proportional ionization chamber was utilized at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to rapidly characterize and quantify alpha-emitting actinides in unprocessed water, soil, air-filter, urine, and solid matrices. Instrument calibrations for the various matrices were performed by spiking representative samples with National Institute of Standards and Technology traceable isotopes of 230Th, 232U, 236Pu, and 243Am. Detection efficiencies were typically 15-20% for solid matrices (soil, concrete, filters, dry urine) and 45% for mass-less water samples. Instrument background over a 512-channel alpha-energy range of 3-8 MeV is very low at 0.01 cps. At optimum efficiency, minimum detectable levels of 0.56 mBq Kg(-1), 74 mBq L(-1) and 14.8 mBq filter(-1) were achievable for 40 x 10(-6) Kg soil, 1 x 10(-3) L tap water (or urine), and 4.5 cm diameter air-filter samples, respectively, each counted for 60 min. Data and spectra are presented showing the quality of results obtained using untreated samples obtained from the BNL Graphite Research Reactor Decommissioning Project. These samples contained Bq to MBq per gram amounts of (239,240)Pu, 241Am, and/or (234,235/238)U (as well as other beta/gamma emitters). Data and spectra are also presented for a very finely pulverized and homogeneous U.S. DOE/RESL soil reference standard (spiked with 239Pu, 241Am, and 233U) that was used to assess precision, accuracy, and reproducibility. Although this technique has its limitations, the advantages are (1) minimal sample preparation, (2) no separation chemistry required, (3) no chemical or hazardous waste generated, and (4) ability to immediately characterize and quantify alpha-emitting nuclides in most matrices. The benefits of this technique to the BNL/DOE Project Managers were rapid (1-2 d) turn-around times coupled with significant cost savings, as compared to commercial off-site analyses.