Rabies eradication in Belgium by fox vaccination using vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus.
Oral immunization of foxes against rabies, by distributing vaccine-baits in the field, has been in progress since 1993 in the whole of the infected area of Belgium (10,000 km2). A vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus (VR-G) was used as vaccine because of its efficacy, safety and heat-stability. The successive campaigns of fox vaccination have induced a drastic decrease in rabies incidence and in 1993 there were no cases of rabies detected in the fox population. A marked decrease of human post-exposure treatments and the elimination of the disease in domestic animals have been the consequence of fox rabies control.
Brochier
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B
Department of Virology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium.
Pastoret
P P
PP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium; D005589:Foxes / Q000821:virology*; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic