A modelling approach to vaccination and contraception programmes for rabies control in fox populations

In a previous study three of the authors designed a one-dimensional model t o simulate the propagation of rabies within a growing fox population; the i nfluence of various parameters on the epidemic model was studied, including oral-vaccination programmes. In this work, a two-dimensional model of a fo s population having either an exponential or a logistic growth pattern was considered. Using numerical simulations, the efficiencies of two prophylact ic methods (fox contraception and vaccination against rabies) It cre assess ed, used either separately or jointly It was concluded that far lower rates of administration are necessary to eradicate rabies, and that the undesira ble side-effects of each programme disappear. when both ale used together.