Spatiotemporal spread of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland over more than 60 years: lessons learnt from comparative analysis of multiple surveillance tools.

Background: Sarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife increased worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, especially since the 1990s. The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the epidemiology of mange by (i) documenting the emergence of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the last decades in Switzerland; and (ii) describing its spatiotemporal spread combining data obtained through different surveillance methods.

Oral immunization of wildlife against rabies: concept and first field experiments.

The possibility of immunizing carnivores against rabies with live attenuated vaccine administered by the oral route was raised by North American scientists in the 1960s. Subsequently, several American and European teams tested different vaccine strains in the laboratory for efficacy and safety and studied vaccine stabilization, vaccine delivery systems, bait acceptance by wild animals, and bait distribution schemes. The first field trial of a cloned SAD (Street Alabama Dufferin) strain in baits designed to immunize foxes orally was conducted in an Alpine valley in Switzerland in 1978.

Dog ecology and dog rabies control.

Dog populations, like other populations, depend on the availability of resources (food, water, and shelter). Humans either make available or deliberately withhold resources for varying proportions of dog populations. Dog-keeping practices and the duties of responsible ownership vary with the cultural setting.

Rabies epidemiology, natural barriers and fox vaccination.

Rabies in Central Europe is maintained and spread by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The epidemiology is explained by a variety of parameters of the main host. Certain natural and artificial topographic features may function as barriers to the spread of the virus within fox populations.