Assessment of the efficacy of oral vaccination of

Assessment of the efficacy of oral vaccination of livestock guardian dogs in the framework of oral rabies vaccination of wild canids in Israel

B. A. Yakobson 1, R. King 2, N. Sheichat 1, B. Eventov 3 and D. David 1 1 Kimron 2 Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Nature & Parks Authority, 3 Golan District , VSAH Israel

Rabies in Wildlife in Israel 1948 -2007 159 603 13 14 8 2 1 4

Rabies incidence in Israel, 1998

Vaccine Bait

ORV 1998 -2006

Distribution plots for ORV

Example of flight lines (300 m) of ORV distribution

Degree of coverage with flight lines using 17 -20 baits/km 2

Oral rabies vaccination, 1998 -2006 Year Autumn 9819 Spring 9919 Spring 2000 Autumn 2001 2002 Spring 2003 Autumn 2003 Spring 2004, 5 Autumn 2004 -6 Area (km 2) 450 3, 750 5, 210 6, 000 6, 600 14, 000 17, 600 16, 500 21, 500 # of baits 7, 250 6, 950 61, 500 100, 000 220, 000 240, 000 295, 000 245, 000 340, 000

Tetracycline and antibody detection in sampled animals Year Tetracycline Seroconversion Positive % positive 2000 35 / 77 45. 0 13 / 51 25. 5 2001 56 / 74 75. 7 10 / 37 27. 0 2002 57 / 90 63. 3 4 / 28 14. 0 2003 116/269 43. 1 11/63 17. 5 2004 -6 212/475 44. 7 82/305 27. 2

Rabies, Israel 1985 -2007 Outbreak in central Israel ORV North ORV all country

Annual Budget 2003 -2005, in US$ • Vaccination 1, 200, 000 • Monitoring 200, 000 • Total 2006 1, 400, 000 1, 000

Rabies incidence in Israel, 2005 Dogs 20 Cattle 9 Wolf 2 Cat 1 Badger 1 Fox 1 TOTAL 34

Rabies in Golan & Upper Galilee, 1997 - 2007 ORV

Golan Heights & Upper Galilee

Golan Heights & Upper Galilee n n The human population on the Golan is sparse, the region has relatively large open areas, and significant segments of it have been declared nature reserves. The Golan is home to thousands of gazelles, rock rabbits, hyenas, wild boars, foxes, and even a rare subspecies of wolf unique to the Golan. They cohabit with badgers, jackals, wildcats, and the rare leopard or two

Golan Heights n n n Area. . . . 1, 158 sq km Border length with Syria. . . 80 km Highest peak. . . 2, 224 m above sea level Villages. . . . 36 Jewish. . . . 32 Druze villages. . . . 4 Main town. . . . Katzrin. (the only town) Jewish population. . . . 16, 500 Druze population. . . . . 17, 000 Nature reserve. . . 246 sq km Cultivated area. . . 80 sq km Grazing lands. . . 460 sq km Cattle. . . . 19, 950 head Sheep. . . . 5, 000 Household dogs. . . . . 1, 334 Livestock guarding dogs. . . . 358

Objective of the Study To determine the feasibility of oral rabies vaccination of packs of livestock guarding dogs (LGD)

Material and Methods n n n Two different bait formats (fishmeal polymer and coated sachets) of the US product Raboral V-RG, Merial were used Both formats were presented to packs of 5 -12 dogs in 5 different test zones Total number of 42 (5 packs of 5, 6, 8, 11, 12 in each) dogs were observed The behaviour of bait ingestion was recorded No analysis for serology or biomarkers was done

Baits used in the study

Livestock guarding dog breeds Breed Number Pyrenean 144 Maremma 53 Akbash 36 Caucasian shepherd 9 Mixed breed 116 Total 358

Livestock guarding dogs (LGD) n n Livestock guarding dogs (LGD) are generally large and protective. Two to five dogs may be placed with a flock or herd depending on its size. LGD have been known to fight to the death with predators, but in most cases, predator attacks are prevented by a display of aggressiveness. Minimized human contact (probably the most critical ingredient for success)

Results in LGD Baits Type No. used Fishmeal 42 No. found by dog 37 No. untouched by dog 5 No. swallowed Vaccine sachet punctured Vaccine sachet untouched probable vaccination 17 12 8 28% 12/42 Coated 42 31 11 6 6 19 12% 6/42

Summary of results n n The fishmeal bait was more attractive to the LGD than the coated one - 88% vs 73% Only 28% of vaccines reached the oral cavity with fishmeal bait in comparison to 12% with coated baits

Conclusions n n n The estimated efficacy of rabies oral vaccination, using 2 commercial vaccine baits designed for wild canids, in packs of LGD is very low (a maximum of 28%) Stray dog removal is an essential part of rabies control in LGD At least 2 parental vaccinations of LGD is needed before their release Identification (microchip) of LGD is necessary to monitor that this concept is working Continuation of ORV in wildlife must also be ensured