title: Aerial distribution of ONRAB baits as a tactic to control rabies in raccoons and striped skunks in Ontario, Canada.
abstract: During August 2006 and 2007, baits containing oral rabies vaccine, live adenovirus vector, known as ONRAB , were aerially distributed in SW Ontario, Canada. Bait acceptance during 2006 was 62 and 74% in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in areas baited at 150 baits/km(2) and 75 and 77% in plots baited at 300 baits/km(2). During 2007, bait acceptance for raccoons ranged between 59% and 80%, and 83% and 87%, in areas baited at 75 and 400 baits/km(2), respectively. Bait acceptance by skunks varied among plots (5-24%). Rabies virus-specific seroconversion during 2006 averaged 66 and 81% in raccoons in areas baited at 150 and 300 baits/km(2), respectively. During 2007, seroconversion by raccoons was 76 and 84% in areas baited at 75 and 400 baits/km(2), respectively. Seroconversion by skunks varied among plots (17-51%). Vaccine efficacy, as judged by the percentage of animals that consumed a bait and seroconverted, averaged 79 and 87% during 2006 for raccoons in areas baited at 150 and 300 baits/km(2), respectively, and 81 and 90% in areas baited during 2007 at 75 and 400 baits/km(2), respectively. Because tetracycline marking was poor in skunks, an estimate of vaccine efficacy was not possible. Aerial distribution of ONRAB vaccine baits seems to be a feasible tactic for controlling rabies in skunks and raccoons.
authors.affiliation: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada. rick.rosatte@ontario.ca
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rosatte
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sobey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beresford
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beath
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fehlner-Gardiner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lawson
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000276:immunology; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001359:Aviation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000821:virology*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology*; D011821:Raccoons / Q000821:virology*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015415:Biomarkers; D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D013752:Tetracycline