RECENT DATA ON THE INCIDENCE OF RABIES IN HUNGARY

The author has given a review on the obligatory vaccination of dogs ag ainst rabies back to 1970 and on the trends of rabies cases in Hungary since 1967 (Figures 1 and 2). The Hungarian rabies situation has been demonstrated according to animal species and counties (from 1990 to D ecember. 1996, Figures 3, 4 and 5, Table 1). Approx, 80% of 700 to 300 cases diagnosed during the past years were fox cases. Most important tasks of the present epizootiological situation have been summarized ( dog cadastre. vaccination of dogs, increased vaccination of cattle and cats, in cases of death of animals extended in investigations in inst itute, collaboration with the public health organizations), Results of the oral immunization of foxes - introduced in the spirit of the harm onization with EEC in October. 1992 - have been highlighted. The initi al 5000 km(2) area of vaccination had increased to 38 000 km(2) by Oct ober, 1996 (Figures 6 and 7) and the same area was vaccinated during t he campaign of April, 1997. Costs of the vaccination to be carried out in October 1997 are also available.