During 1998, rabies was confirmed in one fox killed in Bastogne in southern
Belgium (province of Luxemburg). As compared with the epidemiological situ
ation observed during the previous year (8 cases), there is a significant d
ecrease of rabies incidence; a consequence of the strategy of fox vaccinati
on, that was adapted since 1996 to control a rabies reinfection focus, in t
he presence of a high density of fox population.
During this year, two aerial vaccinations were carried out in March-April a
nd October-November (baiting density: 17 baits per km(2)) and an additional
campaign of cubs vaccination was performed in May by distributing manually
about 10-20 baits per breeding den.
Results from both tetracycline (biomarker) and rabies antibodies detection
tests showed that the vaccination campaign carried out in March-April 1998
was the most efficient,Thanks to the modified strategy of fox vaccination a
nd a good cross-border cooperation, the reinfection rabies focus that occur
red in 1994-1995 was controlled.