Post-vaccination immunological efficiency against rabies in foxes by detection of the vaccine marker in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The purpose of the conducted research was to establish the post-vaccination effectiveness in foxes immunized with vaccines applied in the form of baits to reduce the incidence of rabies in wildlife on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The vaccination was carried out as part of the national prophylactic vaccination program in the period 2020-2023, by the aerial distribution method of the "Lisvulpen" vaccine, manufacturer by Bioveta Company, Czech Republic.As a result of the research with reference to the detection of the vaccine marker, it was established that out of the total of 216 samples taken during the year 2021, 188 samples were positive, and 28 samples were negative. At the same time, from the total of 216 investigated mandible samples, 136 samples were from adult foxes, of which 118 samples were positive for the vaccine marker, and 18 samples were negative, constituting an immunological efficiency of 86.7%. In the same time, from 80 samples collected from young foxes, 70 were positive and 10 negative for the vaccine marker, constituting an immunological efficiency of 87.5%. Thus, the dynamics of the fox population, the breeding season, the maternal immunity and the immunological response of the fox pups are the main criteria for assessing the optimal period for the effective vaccination of foxes against rabies.