Author:
Marks Clive A.,Bloomfield Tim E.
Abstract
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are widely distributed
throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area. Density estimates indicate that
fox populations would be capable of maintaining the endemic persistence of
rabies. Oral vaccination of foxes by baiting is a technique that has been used
successfully overseas to manage rabies epizootics. This study assessed the
uptake by foxes of baits containing biomarkers in three urban field sites in
winter 1993 and summer 1993/94. Baits were dosed with 200 mg of
tetracycline in the winter trial and 5 mg of iophenoxic acid in the summer
trial, and distributed at a density of 8 baits ha
−1 in open areas within each field site. In the
winter trial, 8 of 11 (72.7%) radio-collared foxes known to be in the
field sites during the distribution of baits were marked. In the summer trial,
45 of the 49 foxes (92%) recovered from the combined field sites had
consumed at least a single bait, resulting in bait acceptance of
80–97% for each field site. No bias existed between plasma iodine
levels due to sex, although first-year foxes had a significantly higher level
than older age groups combined. There were no significant differences in mean
age of foxes collected at the three field sites, yet significant differences
existed in mean plasma iodine concentrations between all three sites. These
results are discussed with reference to rabies contingency planning. The high
rates of bait uptake in this study are encouraging and suggest that oral
vaccination may be a viable strategy for rabies containment in urban areas and
is worthy of further assessment at reduced baiting densities.
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
40 articles.
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