Deliberate release of a recombinant vaccinia-rabies virus for vaccination of wild animals against rabies

Abstract

Since 1978, several European countries have conducted, at different times, large-scale field trials of oral vaccination of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) against rabies, using the SAD, standard or B19-modified attenuated strains of rabies virus. The use of attenuated strains of rabies virus remains controversial as far as safety and stability are concerned, since these virus strains retain pathogenicity for rodents or other wildlife species and are heat-sensitive. To improve both safety and stability of the vaccine used in the field, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the immunogenic G protein of rabies virus has been developed and released in the field. The first safety-efficacy results are very encouraging.