Comparison of Suburban Vaccine Distribution Strategies to Control Raccoon Rabies

• DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-44.4.1014
• Publication Date: 2013-10-01T03:11:03Z
• Authors: Jason R. Boulanger; Laura L. Bigler; Paul D. Curtis; Donald H. Lein; Arthur J. Lembo
• Keywords: Rabies vaccine

Helicopters and hand baiting are commonly used to distribute vaccine-laden baits help control raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in suburban landscapes, but these techniques may be labor intensive, costly, or unavailable some areas. We tested conventional strategies against polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) bait stations Erie County (New York, USA) during July August 2003-05. Hand, helicopter, station treatments were randomly assigned six 25-km(2) study sites. To estimate the proportion of raccoons that ingested baits, tooth blood samples from 954 collected examined for tetracycline biomarker rabies-neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Overall, 38% (358/954) positive tetracycline; 16% (155/954) seropositive virus. Year significantly impacted prevalence; fewer 2004. Probability seropositivity increased with age. No statistically significant differences existed between frequencies antibody-positive across all years combined. Thus, could as part an integrated strategy.