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Oral vaccination of wild animals proves effective in controlling rabies: EU agency

Xinhua, July 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Oral vaccination of foxes and raccoon dogs against rabies has proven effective in controlling the disease in wildlife across the European Union (EU), said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Tuesday.

Rabies in Europe occurs predominately among wildlife species, with foxes and raccoon dogs accounting for most of all rabies cases. Therefore, eliminating rabies in these species is crucial, said the EFSA.

In a scientific opinion updating a previous report on oral vaccination against rabies, experts from the EU agency's Animal Health and Welfare Panel identified rabies control strategies, regular vaccinations and good cooperation among neighboring countries as key measures, among which oral vaccination has proven effective.

Moreover, reported cases of rabies in wild animals in the EU dropped from 3,748 in 2003 to 215 in 2014 while cases in domestic animals fell from 800 to 65 in 2014.

The Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Austria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have acquired the rabies-free status since 2003, said the EFSA. Endit