Test of three bait types for oral immunization of dogs against rabies in Tunisia
Matter, H.C.; Kharmachi, H.; Haddad, N.; Ben Youssef, S.; Sghaier, C.; Ben Khelifa, R.; Jemli, J.; Mrabet, L.; Meslin, F.X.; Wandeler, A.I.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 52(6): 489-495
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 7611552 Document Number: 449153
Chicken heads and 2 types of artificial bait were tested in Tunisia during 2 field trials in a waste disposal site carried out in 1988 and 1989 to compare their effectiveness as vehicles for oral rabies vaccine to free-roaming dogs. Baits were made available for 36 h and those that disappeared or were consumed were replaced on several occasions. In 1988, an artificial bait composed of fat and fish meal (artificial bait type I) was tested. In the second trial, chicken heads and an artificial bait composed of polymerized fish meal and wax (artificial bait type II) were compared. The vaccine containers were loaded with a topical marker (rhodamine B or methylene blue) to identify animals that had consumed baits. The artificial type I bait tested in 1988 was poorly accepted, but in the second trial, the number of chicken-head baits probably taken by dogs was more than 7 times greater than the number of artificial type II baits taken. Thirteen dogs observed during the day showed topical marker staining. In both trials, most baits were taken during the night when dog activity in the waste disposal site was at its maximum. Artificial baits were characterized either by their lack of thermostability (type I, melting) or a certain attractiveness for cats (type II, fish flavor). Chicken heads fulfilled established requirements for baits for vaccine delivery. They were well-accepted by free-roaming dogs, inexpensive, usually easily available at local markets, unattractive to humans, relatively easy to store in large quantities, and easy to handle.