Prevention of the spread of rabies to wildlife by oral vaccination of raccoons in Massachusetts.

摘要: Objective To evaluate the use of bait containing rabies vaccine to create a barrier rabies-vaccinated raccoons in Massachusetts and determine effectiveness various distribution strategies halting spread rabies. Design Prospective study. Sample population Free-ranging raccoons. Procedure Baits were distributed twice yearly 207-km2 (80-mi2) area vicinity Cape Cod Canal. Bait density strategy varied among 3 treatment areas. Raccoons caught live traps after anesthetized; blood samples obtained measure serum antibody titers virus. Vaccination rates determined by percentage captured with virus > or = 1:5. In addition, clinical signs illness inside vaccination zone adjacent areas euthanatized submitted for testing. Results The vaccinated differed significantly following densities: high-density uniform (103 baits/km2 [267 baits/mi2]) 37%; low-density additional targeted (93 [240 67%; and, (135 [350 77%. Nineteen animals (15 raccoons, skunks, 1 cat) reported just outside zone, but only raccoon was from zone. Clinical implications this suburban study area, an approximate rate 63% sufficient halt free-ranging Compared distribution, targeting habitats increased rates.