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