title: Benefit cost scenarios of potential oral rabies vaccination for skunks in California.
abstract: Scenario-based analyses were computed for benefits and costs linked with hypothetical oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns to contain or eliminate skunk-variant rabies in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in California, USA. Scenario 1 assumed baiting eight zones (43,388 km(2) total) that comprised 73% of known skunk rabies locations in the state. Scenario 2 also assumed baiting these eight zones, but further assumed that added benefits would result from preventing the spread of skunk-variant rabies into Los Angeles County, USA. Scenarios assumed a fixed bait cost ($1.24 each) but varied campaigns (one, two and three annual ORV applications), densities of baits (37.5/km(2), 75/km(2) and 150/km(2)), levels of prevention (50%, 75%, and 100%), and contingency expenditures if rabies recurred (20%, 40%, and 60% of campaign costs). Prorating potential annual benefits during a 12-yr time horizon yielded benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) between 0.16 and 2.91 and between 0.34 and 6.35 for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Economic issues relevant to potentially managing skunk-variant rabies with ORV are discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521-2154, USA. Stephanie.A.Shwiff@sphis.usda.gov
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shwiff
authors.forename: Ray T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sterner
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Michele T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jay
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slate
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000821:virology*; D011818:Rabies / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines