Assessment of the efficacy of oral vaccination of livestock

guardian dogs in the framework of oral rabies

vaccination of wild canids in Israel

B.A. Yakobson 1, R. King 2, N. Sheichat 1, B. Eventov 3 and D. David 1

1Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan,

2 Nature & Parks Authority, 3 Golan District , VSAH

Israel

Rabies in Wildlife in Israel1948 -2007

603

159

13

8 2

14

41

Rabies incidenc

e in Israel, 1998

Vaccine Bait

ORV1998-2006

Distributionplotsfor ORV

Example of flight lines (300 m) of ORV distribution

Degree of coverage with flight lines

using 17-20 baits/km2

Oral rabies vaccination, 1998-

2006 Year Area (km2) # of baitsAutumn 1998 450 7,250Spring 1999 450 6,950

2000 Spring 3,750 61,500Autumn 2000 5,210 100,000Autumn 2001 6,000 220,0002002 6,600 220,000Spring 2003 14,000 240,000Autumn 2003 17,600 295,000Spring 2004, 5 16,500 245,000Autumn 2004-6 21,500 340,000

Tetracycline and antibody detection

in sampled animals Year Tetracycline Seroconversion

Positive % positive

Positive % positive

2000 35 / 77 45.0 13 / 51 25.5

2001 56 / 74 75.7 10 / 37 27.0

2002 57 / 90 63.3 4 / 28 14.0

2003 116/269 43.1 11/63 17.5

2004-6 212/475 44.7 82/305 27.2

Rabies, Israel 1985-2007

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

ORV North ORV all country

Outbreak in central

Israel

• Vaccination 1,200,000

• Monitoring 200,000

• Total 1,400,000

Annual Budget2003-2005, in US$

2006 1,000,000

Rabies incidence in Israel,

2005Dogs

20

Cattle 9

Wolf 2

Cat 1

Badger 1

Fox 1

TOTAL 34

Rabies in Golan & Upper Galilee, 1997 - 2007

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Fox & Jackal

Dog

Ruminant

ORV

Golan Heights & Upper Galilee

Golan Heights & Upper Galilee

The human population on the Golan is sparse, the region has relatively large open areas, and significant segments of it have been declared nature reserves.

The Golan is home to thousands of gazelles, rock rabbits, hyenas, wild boars, foxes, and even a rare subspecies of wolf unique to the Golan. They cohabit with badgers, jackals, wildcats, and the rare leopard or two

Golan Heights

Area.................................1,158 sq kmBorder length with Syria..............80 kmHighest peak.......................2,224 m above sea levelVillages.................................36Jewish..................................32Druze villages............................4Main town.............................Katzrin. (the only town)Jewish population .................16,500Druze population...................17,000Nature reserve.......................246 sq kmCultivated area.........................80 sq kmGrazing lands..........................460 sq kmCattle...............................19,950 headSheep................................5,000

Household dogs........... ...........1,334 Livestock guarding dogs...............358

Objective of the Study

To determine the feasibility of oral rabies vaccination of packs of livestock guarding dogs (LGD)

Material and Methods Two different bait formats (fishmeal

polymer and coated sachets) of the US product Raboral V-RG, Merial were used

Both formats were presented to packs of 5 -12 dogs in 5 different test zones

Total number of 42 (5 packs of 5, 6, 8, 11, 12 in each) dogs were observed

The behaviour of bait ingestion was recorded

No analysis for serology or biomarkers was done

Baits used in the study

Livestock guarding dog breeds

Breed Number

Pyrenean 144

Maremma 53

Akbash 36

Caucasian shepherd 9

Mixed breed 116

Total 358

Livestock guarding dogs (LGD)

Livestock guarding dogs (LGD) are generally large and protective.

Two to five dogs may be placed with a flock or herd depending on its size.

LGD have been known to fight to the death with predators, but in most cases, predator attacks are prevented by a display of aggressiveness.

Minimized human contact (probably the most critical ingredient for success)

Results in LGD

BaitsType No.

usedNo. foundby dog

No. untouchedby dog

No. swallowed

Vaccinesachet punctured

Vaccine sachet untouched

probablevaccination

Fishmeal

42 37 5 17 12 8 28%12/42

Coated 42 31 11 6 6 19 12%6/42

Summary of results

The fishmeal bait was more attractive to the LGD than the coated one - 88% vs 73%

Only 28% of vaccines reached the oral cavity with fishmeal bait in comparison to 12% with coated baits

Conclusions The estimated efficacy of rabies oral

vaccination, using 2 commercial vaccine baits designed for wild canids, in packs of LGD is very low (a maximum of 28%)

Stray dog removal is an essential part of rabies control in LGD

At least 2 parental vaccinations of LGD is needed before their release

Identification (microchip) of LGD is necessary to monitor that this concept is working

Continuation of ORV in wildlife must also be ensured