THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE UPTAKE BY PEOPLE OF ANTIRABIES VACCINE BAITS INTENDED FOR FOXES AND DROPPED BY HELICOPTER IN FRANCE

More than 1 million anti-rabies vaccine baits were dropped over 80,116 km2 in the north-east of France during spring 1992 to control wildlif e rabies. An inquiry was carried out by the veterinary and medical aut horities in order to record the cases of people having picked up the b aits. Only 33 people declared having found a bait of which 8 were trea ted at medical centers. Inquiries concerning baits found near houses o r the fear of contact with the vaccine were dealt with by telephone. I t appears that the proper control of the technique i.e. the dropping o f baits from helicopter whilst avoiding human dwellings, together with appropriate notification concerning the public, have been very effici ent in avoiding human contact with rabies vaccine in baits. Neverthele ss progress can still be made by marking the baits externally.