FIELD USE OF A VACCINIA-RABIES RECOMBINANT VACCINE FOR THE CONTROL OFSYLVATIC RABIES IN EUROPE AND NORTH-AMERICA

During recent years, most research on the control of sylvatic rabies h as concentrated on developing methods of oral vaccination of wild rabi es vectors. To improve both the safety and the stability of the vaccin e used, a recombinant vaccinia virus, which expresses the immunising g lycoprotein of rabies virus (VRG), has been developed and rested exten sively in the laboratory as well as in the field. From 1989 to 1995, a pproximately 8.5 million VRG vaccine doses were dispersed in Western E urope to vaccinate red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and in rite United State s of America (USA) to vaccinate raccoons (Procyon lotor) and coyotes ( Canis latrans). In Europe, the use of VRG has led to rite elimination of sylvatic rabies from large areas of land, which have consequently b een freed from the need for vaccination. Nevertheless, despite very go od examples of cross-border cooperation, reinfections have occurred in some regions, due to the difficulty of co-ordinating vaccination plan s among neighbouring countries. In the USA, preliminary data from fiel d trials indicate a significant reduction in the incidence of rabies i n vaccinated areas.