RABIES ERADICATION PROGRAMME IN ESTONIA BY MEANS OF ORAL VACCINATION OF WILDLIFE: FIRST RESULTS

1. RABIES ERADICATION PROGRAMME IN ESTONIA BY MEANS OF ORAL VACCINATION OF WILDLIFE: FIRST RESULTS Marjana Laine Veterinary and Food Board of Estonia 28/05/2007 Paris marjana.laine@vet.agri.ee

2. Epidemiological data • Rabies is a great concern for a many decades. From 1968 sylvatic rabies spread over total territory of Estonia. • As a rule ~ 150 – 300 cases occurred usually per year. The peak was in 2003 – 813 positive rabies cases. • Target species: fox and raccoon dog. The relative importance of raccoon dogs as reservoir animals compared with foxes has risen since 2002. In 2006 53% of all cases were rabid raccoon dogs. • Last human case was in 1986 • Compulsory vaccination of dogs and cats 1953

3. History of oral vaccination • First large scale OV was conducted in Oct-Nov 2005 (Bait drop area 25 800 km2, from west to the eastern border) • 2006 twice, in spring (Apr- May) and autumn (Sept-Oct), on total territory of Estonia (2 x 45 227 km2)

4. Vaccination strategy • Baiting density: 20 baits/km2 • Vaccine baits used: Rabigen SAG2 • Distribution: fixed-wing planes, technicians for bait dropping from the aircraft • No manual distribution • Distance between dropping lines 600 meters • Refrigerated lorries in airfields

5. Efficacy control of OV campaigns Bait up take control: Tetracycline assessment • Samples were collected by the members of Estonian Hunters Association Rabies incidence • All animals with rabies suspicious were sent to the laboratory for testing Laboratory testing Tests for rabies diagnosis and tetracycline assessment were performed by the Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory.

6. 2005 Collection time: November 2005 - March 2006 Hunting area: 25 800 km2 Number of samples in total collected:1746, (1046 fox, 700 raccoon dog) 2006 Collection time: July 2006 - March 2007 Hunting area: 45 227 km2 Number of samples in total collected: 2889 (1343 fox, 1546 raccoon dog) Results of biomarker detection after campaigns in 2005 and 2006

7. Tetracycline assessment results of campaign 2005

8. Tetracycline asessment results of the campaign 2005 • In 73% of investigated samples tetracycline lines were detected • Bait consumption rate in total vaccinated area observed was between 48% - 86%The results were moderate in districts which territory only partly felt under vaccination area • Consumption rate among foxes and raccoon dogs was quite similar, respectively 74% and 73%

9. Tetracycline asessment results of the campaign 2006

10. Tetracycline assessment results of the campaigns of year 2006 • The average bait consumption level was ~ 85% (2005 ~ 73%) • Range of bait uptake by districts was 73 – 91%, better results were gained in districts vaccinated already in 2005 • The consumption among target species was similar: foxes 87% and raccoon dogs 84%

11. Rabies incidence before and after vaccination campaigns • After autumn campaign 2005 the number of cases decreased considerably in vaccinated area: 16 % of positive cases were diagnosed in this region • Due to double vaccination in 2006 the number of positive animals dropped dramatically.

12. Rabies cases 01.01.06-31.05.06

13. Positive cases in 2006 (01.06. -31.12.06)

14. Conclusions • The 3 first campaigns have given desired results • Number of positive cases decreased remarkably (2005 – 266 cases, 2006 – 114 cases). • For the end of April only one positive case was diagnosed in this year • The results of bait consumption until now have shown that both target species consumed the bait willingly

15. Thank you for attention!