Oral rabies vaccination multiannual program, 2015-2017 in Romania

3^rd International Veterinary Congress

August 18-20, 2016 London, UK

Vlad Vuta, Cristian Siposean, Gheorghe Barboi, Dragos Boncea and Constantin Vlagioiu

Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Romania
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Romania
National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Romania

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Vet Sci Technol

Abstract :

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic viral disease causing more than 70,000 human deaths each year and is produced by a Lyssavirus. In Romania foxes are the main wildlife reservoir. Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) of this specie is the most effective method to control and eradicate rabies. Supported by co-financing program between Romania and European Union, successive ORV campaigns were conducted. From 2015 to 2017 a multiannual program of ORV is performing. The vaccination area of this study involved of the entire Romanian territory (237.500 km2). The vaccination of foxes is carried out by air distribution of baits from 8 aircraft (number of 5325200 baits with an approx. 25 baits/km2), with a distance between flight lines of 500 meters and 150 meters altitude by avoiding the territories of localities, water surfaces, highways, etc. Estimated surface suitable for aerial vaccination is approximated at 213.375 square kilometers. Around localities and areas difficult to reach by plane it is done at manual distribution (number of 75400 of baits, approximately 25 baits per km2). The data are recorded on Geographical Identification System (GIS) using Geographical Positioning System (GPS). At a 45 days following vaccination campaign, there shall be performed the hunting of foxes in order to assess the efficiency of vaccination; for this purpose, there shall be shot 4 foxes/year/100 km2. Samples of tooth and surrounding alveolar bone are tested by specific fluorescence to detect tetracycline deposits. Immune response is assessed using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. All positive samples to rabies antigen by FAT technique (Fluorescent Antibody Test) are tested in order to discriminate between wild and vaccinated strains using molecular biology techniques.

Biography :

Vlad Vuta is currently a PhD student at the University of Agronomic Study and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest. He is working at the Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health Bucharest, Virology Department and he is also a Coordinator of National Reference Laboratory for Rabies. He has more than 30 papers and communications in reputed journals and international congresses.

Email: vladvuta@yahoo.com