scholarly journals Wildlife and Bait Density Monitoring to Describe the Effectiveness of a Rabies Vaccination Program in Foxes

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Paolo Tizzani ◽  
Angela Fanelli ◽  
Carsten Potzsch ◽  
Joerg Henning ◽  
Srdjan Šašić ◽  
...  

Fox rabies has been eliminated from vast areas of West and Central Europe, but cases still occur in the Balkans. Oral vaccination is an effective method for reducing the incidence of the disease in wildlife, but it requires monitoring if bait density is adequate for the density of the wildlife reservoir. We developed a methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of aerial vaccination campaigns conducted in Montenegro during autumn 2011 and spring 2012. The effectiveness of the vaccination campaign was assessed by (i) estimating the density of baits, (ii) estimating the distribution of the red fox, (iii) identifying critical areas of insufficient bait density by combining both variables. Although the two vaccination campaigns resulted in 45% and 47% of the country’s total area not reaching recommended density of 20 baits/km2, the consecutive delivery of both campaigns reduced these “gaps” to 6%. By combining bait and reservoir density data, we were able to show that bait density was lower than fox density in only 5% of Montenegro’s territory. The methodology described can be used for real-time evaluation of aerial vaccine delivery campaigns, to identify areas with insufficient bait densities.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 405
Author(s):  
Danijela Černe ◽  
Peter Hostnik ◽  
Ivan Toplak

Sylvatic rabies was present in Slovenia between 1973 and 2013, with the red fox as the main reservoir of the rabies virus. The first oral rabies vaccination (ORV) control program in foxes started in 1988, using the manual distribution of baits. Significant improvement of fox vaccination was achieved with the aerial distribution of baits, starting in 1995 and successfully finished with the final, fifty-ninth vaccination campaign in 2019. Between 1979 and 2019, a total of 86,471 samples were tested, and 10,975 (12.69%) rabies-positive animals were identified. Within the ORV, two different vaccines were used, containing modified live virus strain Street Alabama Dufferin (SAD) B19 and SAD Bern, while the last ORV campaigns were completed in 2019, with a vaccine containing a genetically modified strain of SPBN GASGAS. Molecular epidemiological studies of 95 rabies-positive samples, originating from red foxes, badgers, cattle, dogs, martens, cats, and horses, revealed a low genetic diversity of circulating strains and high similarity to strains from neighboring countries. During the elimination program, few vaccine-induced rabies cases were detected: three in red foxes and one case in a marten, with no epidemiological relevance. Slovenia has been officially declared a country free of rabies since 2016.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sánchez Soriano ◽  
Andrew D. Gibson ◽  
Luke Gamble ◽  
Jordana L. Burdon Bailey ◽  
Samantha Green ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 deaths and economic losses of 8.6 billion USD every year. Despite several years of rabies surveillance and awareness programmes, increased availability of post-exposure prophylaxis vaccinations and dog population control, the disease still remains prevalent in Sri Lanka. This study reports the development and roll-out of a high number, high coverage canine rabies vaccination campaign in Sri Lanka, providing estimates for the vaccination coverage achieved, analysing the local dog demographics, and identifying barriers of attendance to static vaccination clinics. Methods: A mass dog vaccination campaign was undertaken in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The campaign was composed of static point and door-to-door vaccination stages, with a final survey of vaccination coverage. A large volume of data on the distribution, health, and signalment of vaccinated dogs was collected through a mobile phone application. A logistic regression model was developed to investigate which socio-spatial and dog-related factors influenced attendance of owners to static vaccination points. Results: The campaign vaccinated over 7,800 dogs achieving a vaccination coverage of 75.8%. A dog:human ratio of 1:17 was estimated. Most dogs were owned, and the dog population was mostly male, adult, and non-sterilized. Unawareness, unavailability and handling problems were the most common reasons given by owners to explain failure to attend a static vaccination point. The regression analysis showed that increasing distance to a static point, in addition to young age and poor health of the dog, were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of attendance to a static vaccination points. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of high number, high coverage vaccination campaigns in Sri Lanka. The information on dog ecology and barriers of attendance to a static point vaccination clinic will facilitate development of future vaccination campaigns.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sánchez Soriano ◽  
Andrew D. Gibson ◽  
Luke Gamble ◽  
Jordana L. Burdon Bailey ◽  
Samantha Green ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 deaths and economic losses of 8.6 billion USD every year. Despite several years of rabies surveillance and awareness programmes, increased availability of post-exposure prophylaxis vaccinations and dog population control, the disease still remains prevalent in Sri Lanka. This study reports the development and roll-out of a high number, high coverage canine rabies vaccination campaign in Sri Lanka, providing estimates for the vaccination coverage achieved, analysing the local dog demographics, and identifying barriers of attendance to static vaccination clinics. Methods: A mass dog vaccination campaign was undertaken in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The campaign was composed of static point and door-to-door vaccination stages, with a final survey of vaccination coverage. A large volume of data on the distribution, health, and signalment of vaccinated dogs was collected through a mobile phone application. A logistic regression model was developed to investigate which socio-spatial and dog-related factors influenced attendance of owners to static vaccination points. Results: The campaign vaccinated over 7,800 dogs achieving a vaccination coverage of 75.8%. A dog:human ratio of 1:17 was estimated. Most dogs were owned, and the dog population was mostly male, adult, and non-sterilized. Unawareness, unavailability and handling problems were the most common reasons given by owners to explain failure to attend a static vaccination point. The regression analysis showed that increasing distance to a static point, in addition to young age and poor health of the dog, were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of attendance to a static vaccination points. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of high number, high coverage vaccination campaigns in Sri Lanka. The information on dog ecology and barriers of attendance to a static point vaccination clinic will facilitate development of future vaccination campaigns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dainius Zienius ◽  
Janina Mickutė ◽  
Arnoldas Pautienius ◽  
Juozas Grigas ◽  
Arunas Stankevičius ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rabies vaccination of wildlife carnivores is a powerful tool to prevent, control and eliminate rabies. The presence of neutralizing rabies antibodies in blood is considered a reliable indicator of adequate vaccination. The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the seroprevalence of specific antibodies in target populations of Lithuanian red fox (RF) and raccoon dog (RD) during the oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns during the 2010–2019 period. Results Over the ten-year period, 7,261 RF and 2,146 RD sera samples were collected post-mortem in field conditions and tested using a commercial standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit in Lithuania. In the ORV spring and autumn vaccination periods, 31.8% (20.3–43.4 95% CI – 95% confidence interval) and 31.7% (21.2–42.1 95% CI) of RF, and 34.1% (22.5–45.7 95% CI) and 34.7% (22.7–46.7 95% CI) of RD sera samples, respectively, were identified as ELISA-positive (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL—Equivalent Units per Millilitre). The seroprevalence analysis in adult/ juvenile animal subpopulations indicated that 34.9% (27.2–42.5 95% CI) and 29.2% (20.3–37.9 95% CI) of RF, and 35.6% (25.2–46.0 95% CI) and 30.6% (20.2–40.9 95% CI) of RD sera samples, respectively, were identified as ELISA-positive (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL). Statistically strong determinate correlations (r) between the serological results (pos.%) in RF adult/juvenile animal subpopulations (r = 0.937) and between RF and RD positive seroconvert (pos.%) sera samples during the spring vaccinations (r = 0.864) were demonstrated. In different ORV periods, 14–29% of RF and 7–25% of RD sera samples were identified as ELISA-negative (seroconversion < 0.5 EU/mL), but with low (0.125 < 0.49 EU/mL) antibody (Abs) titres. Conclusions The 2010–2019 ORV programme has been an effective tool in both RF and RD populations in Lithuania. The rabies-free status of Lithuania was self-declared in 2015 with only three rabies cases identified in buffer zones since then. The percentage of ELISA-positive serum samples (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL) during the different periods of vaccination was similar in RF and RD populations—32% and 34% respectively. The identified seroconversion average of 21.5% in RF and 16% in RD sera samples were officially identified as ELISA-negative (seronversion < 0.5 EU/mL), but with low 0.125 < 0.49 EU/mL Abs titres. That low, but positive seroconversion participated in the formation of populations overall immune status and can influence the interpretation of oral vaccination efficacy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sánchez Soriano ◽  
Andrew D. Gibson ◽  
Luke Gamble ◽  
Jordana L. Burdon Bailey ◽  
Samantha Green ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 deaths and economic losses of 8.6 billion USD every year. Despite several years of rabies surveillance and awareness programmes, increased availability of post-exposure prophylaxis vaccinations and dog population control, the disease still remains prevalent in Sri Lanka. This study reports the development and roll-out of a high number, high coverage canine rabies vaccination campaign in Sri Lanka, providing estimates for the vaccination coverage achieved, analysing the local dog demographics, and identifying barriers of attendance to static vaccination clinics. Methods: A mass dog vaccination campaign was undertaken in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The campaign was composed of static point and door-to-door vaccination stages, with a final survey of vaccination coverage. A large volume of data on the distribution, health, and signalment of vaccinated dogs was collected through a mobile phone application. A logistic regression model was developed to investigate which socio-spatial and dog-related factors influenced attendance of owners to static vaccination points. Results: The campaign vaccinated over 7,800 dogs achieving a vaccination coverage of 75.8%. A dog:human ratio of 1:17 was estimated. Most dogs were owned, and the dog population was mostly male, adult, and non-sterilized. Unawareness, unavailability and handling problems were the most common reasons given by owners to explain failure to attend a static vaccination point. The regression analysis showed that increasing distance to a static point, in addition to young age and poor health of the dog, were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of attendance to a static vaccination points. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of high number, high coverage vaccination campaigns in Sri Lanka. The information on dog ecology and barriers of attendance to a static point vaccination clinic will facilitate development of future vaccination campaigns.


Author(s):  
Rudy T. Kirkhope ◽  
Andrew D. Gibson ◽  
Pierre Dilius Augustin ◽  
Kelly Crowdis ◽  
Natael Fénelon ◽  
...  

Elimination of dog-transmitted human rabies worldwide will require large-scale dog vaccination campaigns. However, this places participating vaccinators at increased risk. Data from the 2016–2017 Haitian mass rabies vaccination campaign was analyzed to determine dog bite incidence among vaccinators. A survey was then developed for completion by all identifiable bitten vaccinators covering demographics; experience and training; bite episode details; attitudes toward dogs and rabies; and medical care. A parallel group of unbitten vaccinators was also surveyed. Dog bite incidence was 0.03% (43/127,000) of all dogs vaccinated. The capture, vaccinate, and release method of vaccination carried a significantly higher risk of dog bite (0.35%, 6/1,739 vaccinations) than other methods (P < 0.001). Twenty-seven bitten vaccinators, and 54 control vaccinators were included in the survey analysis. No differences were found between groups in demographics, experience, or training. However, bitten vaccinators were significantly more likely than the control group to have experienced a dog bite before the study period (P < 0.001). This may be associated with a lesser appreciation of dogs, and/or a poorer ability to interpret dog behavioral signals within this group. Although 98% of the control group indicated they would seek medical care for a dog bite, only 35% of bitten vaccinators sought such care. On a yearly basis, for the Haitian campaign, a full series of postexposure rabies vaccinations for all bite victims would prove more cost-effective than preexposure vaccination of all vaccinators. These findings may prove useful for the planning and safety of future mass dog vaccination campaigns.


2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (11) ◽  
pp. 1558-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. DURR ◽  
R. MINDEKEM ◽  
Y. KANINGA ◽  
D. DOUMAGOUM MOTO ◽  
M. I. MELTZER ◽  
...  

SUMMARYWe investigated the percentage of dogs that could be vaccinated against rabies by conducting a pilot campaign in N'Djaména, Chad. Owners were charged US$4.13 per dog vaccinated, and 24% of all dogs in the three city districts covered by the campaign were vaccinated. Total campaign costs were US$7623, resulting in an average of US$19.40 per vaccinated dog. This is five times more expensive than the cost per animal vaccinated during a previous free vaccination campaign for dog-owners, conducted in the same districts. The free campaign, which vaccinated 2605 more dogs than this campaign, cost an additional US$1.45 per extra dog vaccinated. Campaigns in which owners are charged for vaccinations result in lower vaccination rates than in free campaigns. Public health officials can use these results when evaluating the costs and benefits of subsidizing dog rabies vaccination programmes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sánchez-Soriano ◽  
Andrew D. Gibson ◽  
Luke Gamble ◽  
Jordana L. Burdon Bailey ◽  
Samantha Green ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 deaths and economic losses of US$8.6 billion every year. Despite several years of rabies surveillance and awareness programmes, increased availability of post-exposure prophylaxis vaccinations and dog population control, the disease still remains prevalent in Sri Lanka. This study reports the roll-out of a high number, high coverage canine rabies vaccination campaign in Sri Lanka, providing estimates for the vaccination coverage achieved, analysing the local dog demographics, and identifying barriers of attendance to static vaccination clinics. Methods A mass dog vaccination campaign was undertaken in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The campaign was composed of static point and door-to-door vaccination stages, with a final survey of vaccination coverage. A large volume of data on the distribution, health, and signalment of vaccinated dogs was collected through a mobile phone application. A logistic regression model was developed to investigate which socio-spatial and dog-related factors influenced attendance of owners to static vaccination points. Results The campaign vaccinated over 7800 dogs achieving a vaccination coverage of 75.8%. A dog:human ratio of 1:17 was estimated. Most dogs were owned, and the dog population was mostly male, adult, and non-sterilized. Unawareness, unavailability and handling problems were the most common reasons given by owners to explain failure to attend a static vaccination point. The regression analysis showed that increasing distance to a static point, in addition to young age and poor health of the dog, were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of attendance to a static vaccination points. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of high number, high coverage vaccination campaigns in Sri Lanka. The information on dog ecology and barriers of attendance to static point vaccination clinics will facilitate development of future vaccination campaigns.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Andy Haegeman ◽  
Ilse De Leeuw ◽  
Laurent Mostin ◽  
Willem Van Campe ◽  
Laetitia Aerts ◽  
...  

Vaccines form the cornerstone of any control, eradication and preventative strategy and this is no different for lumpy skin disease. However, the usefulness of a vaccine is determined by a multiplicity of factors which include stability, efficiency, safety and ease of use, to name a few. Although the vaccination campaign in the Balkans against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was successful and has been implemented with success in the past in other countries, data of vaccine failure have also been reported. It was therefore the purpose of this study to compare five homologous live attenuated LSDV vaccines (LSDV LAV) in a standardized setting. All five LSDV LAVs studied were able to protect against a challenge with virulent LSDV. Aside from small differences in serological responses, important differences were seen in side effects such as a local reaction and a Neethling response upon vaccination between the analyzed vaccines. These observations can have important implications in the applicability in the field for some of these LSDV LAVs.


1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cáris M. Nunes ◽  
Dejanira de A. Martines ◽  
Stélios Fikaris ◽  
Luzia H. Queiróz

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns.


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