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Texas virtually eliminates rabies with aerial vaccine drops| Reuters

Seeded on Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:42 AM EST

Article Source: Reuters

health, texas, fox, dogs, humans, vaccinations, rabies, coyote, canines

Seeded by Physicist-retired

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Researchers with the Texas Department of State Health Services learned of an aerial vaccination program underway in Canada, and decided to try it in the equally vast south and west regions of Texas.

The results over the past 18 years have been dramatic, according to department spokesman Chris Van Deusen.

"Animal cases of the canine strain of rabies in southern Texas fell from 122 the year before the program began, to zero in 2000," Van Deusen said.

"There have only been two cases since then, and both of them were within a mile of the Rio Grande."

He said the program is also concentrated against the fox strain of rabies, and those cases have been reduced from 244 animal cases in 1995, to zero cases in the past two years.

"We have effectively eliminated these two strains of rabies from Texas," Van Deusen said, adding that there have been no human cases of rabies in the region since the airdrop began.

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Physicist-retired

Oertli said the idea of an aerial assault on rabies is spreading across the country. Health officials in several northeastern states are now using the same practice to fight against the spread of rabies in raccoons.

"As a citizen, I am thrilled at what we have been able to accomplish with this program," Oertli said.

Now that fox and coyote rabies are nearly eradicated, crews are now planning a similar aerial assault against skunk rabies. He said a special bait packet has been developed for skunks.

Science is a wonderful thing...

3 votes

#1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:44 AM EST

Summer-1597193

This is really cool. My little brother had to have the rabies series twice, along w/ the HRIG. He was given them once after he caught a muskrat (and was bit) and once after he caught two raccoons (and was also bit). It's not fun - they are painful shots. I know these animals aren't included in this program, but eventually, in areas where these species are known to carry rabies they can implement this program for these species also.

1 vote

#2 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:10 AM EST

Physicist-retired

Wow, Summer - that sounds awful. Really awful. I'm so sorry for your brother.

The good news is that northeastern states are currently looking at how to implement this for raccoons. I expect that more states will, too - if they get a little pressure from people like you (and real vicitms, like your brother).

Give your brother my best.

#2.1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:47 AM EST

Summer-1597193

Oh, thanks. He's fine. The vaccines were really painful for him. He's fine now though. After the second set of shots, he stopped trying to catch small mammals by hand. Not ever sure what made him think that would be a good idea - but, then again, he did a lot of things that were dangerous and would leave people asking him "what were you thinking?"

1 vote

#2.2 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:33 AM EST

Physicist-retired

Not ever sure what made him think that would be a good idea

I did the same things as a kid, Summer. We actually raised 2 squirrels found in an abandonednest, several chipmunks, and various other critters. The squirrels used to sit on my shoulder while I fed them peanuts. They also loved ice cream, and would actually crawl inside a nearly-empty container that we set out on the counter for them.

They needed a bath afterwards...

My mom lost it when she came home one day to discover that we had a rather large snapping turtle in the yard, penned in by an upside-down playpen.

Those were the days ;-)

2 votes

#2.3 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:45 AM EST

Summer-1597193

Lol, Yep that's pretty much what my brother did. Well, we all did it to some extent - but, he really went all out trying to get the animals. He still loves animals - but, he keeps it to dogs and fish at this point. I'm really not sure what made him try to catch a muskrat - those things are

I can only imagine you trying to "bathe" squirrels. I imagine it wouldn't be too successful for you to do it - they'd have to bathe themselves.

Regardless, this attempt at eradicating rabies is good for not just people that are accidentally exposed, but for the animals also.

2 votes

#2.4 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:59 AM EST

Par4TheCourse

What effects will this have on crops systemically to humans..and in the water table, lakes, streams, wells, etc? What kind of effect if any to healthy animals? Is the rabbi pellets/packets a generic counter to the two strain..

The two types are furious rabies and paralytic rabies

3 votes

#3 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:06 AM EST

Physicist-retired

Par4,

Good questions, as always.

What effects will this have on crops systemically to humans..

This is a recombinant vaccine called V-RG, which is created by inserting the glycoprotein gene from rabies into a vaccinia virus. The vaccine cannot cause rabies because it contains only the non-infective surface proteins of the rabies virus. It can't replicate.

It's harmless to humans and has been shown to be safe for wild animals.

And given the fact that it's been used in Europe for nearly 30 years now, and in Texas for 18 years (with no known side effects), it seems to have a pretty good track record.

The two types are furious rabies and paralytic rabies

I'm unable to find information on whether the rabies antigen in this vaccine protects against both types. If I find anything, I'll post it here.

4 votes

#3.1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:40 AM EST

Par4TheCourse

...and as usual.. good response.. lol

(with no known side effects),

This concerns me.. As we know certain aspects can show no outward signs of ill affects, yet have a detriment to our bodies as a whole over time. Such as we know about the environment..

The side effects of such could be over a vast amount of time or a slight inward indicator within a human cell. As you are aware of as a physicist, that every cell has some reaction to our environment...and it does not necessarily mean it can be caught from the lens of a microscope.

What humans have naturally due to the environment and what we add to it, could react on humans in a generation or more..Also, what we have "naturally" as far as the different kinds of sickness that plague humans, could be effected over time by it as more is applied .. 30 years isn't much time unless humans are directly eating them every day.

1 vote

#3.2 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:56 AM EST

Dani-976192

Rabies is an ancient disease, and the virus doesn't affect plant life. It's a disease that affects the mammalian central nervous system. The disease is probably what gave rise to werewolf and vampire legends. Because the vaccines don't contain the "live" or "active" virus, it can't cause the disease. Eating an animal that has been vaccinated won't cause rabies. Eating corn from a plant that a vaccine-laced bait cube fell on won't cause rabies.

1 vote

#3.3 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:11 PM EST

Par4TheCourse

It may not have the "active" virus..(which I read from Physicist post) What about the dosage.. and I am talking on a microbial level .. what effect would that have on our cellular level ? We may think "now" that there "Isn't any known side effects" .. We have said that about many things in the past..

How much is a dose to say one dog usually ? What if just one dog ate several of these packets.. what kind of dose are we talking.. and can that have some sort of ill effect over the long run? We do not know.. Because we are not 100 years or so down the line.. We only know from a 30 years.. and it takes generations sometimes for things to change..

1 vote

#3.4 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:23 PM EST

Physicist-retired

Par4,

Good thing that Mal left a message on the tracker - I meant to get back to you on this issue, and then forgot.

I spoke to a friend of mine last night. The man got a PhD in Bio-Organic Chemistry at Cornell (great school for that), and did his thesis on RNA. He's the most knowledgeable person I knew to ask about your question.

My friend, after some thought, said that he could not see any pathway that could result in a scenario where damage would result from this vaccine down the road - whether 30 years or 3 generations.

Just thought I'd pass that on. The question you ask is outside my area of expertise, but I have a few friends who know this stuff in depth.

2 votes

#3.5 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:58 PM EST

Dani-976192

These aerial vaccine drops are being used in Alabama, too. A few weeks ago, the helicopters flew over our house three or four times. In the area where I live, rabies cases have been few and far between for many years, but in the last two years, there has been a sharp spike. I'm hoping that the drops will stop this rise. I have my pets vaccinated- we do live in a rural area and they roam in the woods, so it's possible that they could come into contact with an infected animal. There are raccoons, possums, foxes, bats, coyotes, and skunks around here. However, many people fail to get their pets vaccinated (something I can't understand), so maybe the vaccine drops will keep a lot of pets and other domesticated animals from being infected.

2 votes

#4 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:59 AM EST

Physicist-retired

That 'spike' is the very reason that Texas began this program, Dani.

Historically, rabies was confined to sparely-populated areas in the far south and southwest. But the incidence of rabies began to climb, and was reaching the outskirts of major populated areas like San Antonio and Austin. Those cities have a lot of dogs - something had to be done.

Looks like it's working there. Hope it does in your area, too.

And yes - vaccinating housepets is vital.

1 vote

#4.1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:08 PM EST

Dani-976192

Many years ago, I watched a NatGeo documentary on rabies epidemics in underdeveloped countries. Part of the show was footage of a young boy (maybe about 10 years old) in Africa who was in the "furious" stage of the disease. It was one of the most horrific things I've ever seen. Other footage showed domesticated pets with rabies.

These vaccine drops are one thing on which I definitely want my tax dollars spent. No living thing should have to suffer with a disease that can be prevented.

1 vote

#4.2 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:19 PM EST

MalamuteMan

Science is a wonderful thing...

It is...

_{psst... He PR, I published my article... I hope you see it... [Mal skulks off...]}

#5 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:53 PM EST

MinnieApolis

This is truly an awesome project with awesome results. ZERO cases! Will they roll it out statewide? (it says they tried it in the southern and western part of the state) Perhaps they don't feel the other parts of the state are as vulnerable or as threatened.

And it is good for both people and their pets that the threat of rabies is much reduced. Think of how many little brothers did NOT have to go thru those painful shots because of this program.

#6 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:21 PM EST

MalamuteMan

Hmmm... If this works for "Rabies"... maybe they could use a a similar approach to take care of "Righties"...

Just a thought...

2 votes

#7 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:50 PM EST

Physicist-retired

I'll never understand you, Mal.

That beautiful, thoughtful piece you wrote today (okay, couched in humorous terminology, but thoughtful all the same), and then that comment above ;-)

Proud to call you friend. Very proud.

2 votes

#7.1 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:54 PM EST

MalamuteMan

Thanks PR! I appreciate your comments... not only to me but in general. Everyone listens when you speak. Even righties listen. They usually don't like what you have to say... but because you are respectful and polite with everyone and your information is so amazing well documented... they pay attention.

Your point about the situation in Michigan was EXCELLENT!!! I wish there was a way we could get you more visibility than the Vine offers. I was just telling someone I think you should have your own show on MSNBC. I know, you probably prefer more anonymity... but there are very few compelling voice like yours in this world... we need more PRs!

As for that comment... What do you expect from a Malamute??? And when I saw the photo in this article... I thought... Looks like a rightie to me... ;-}

1 vote

#7.2 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:51 PM EST

MinnieApolis

If this works for "Rabies"... maybe they could use a a similar approach to take care of "Righties"...

That would be just one small step for man, but a giant leap for mankind.

1 vote

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Texas virtually eliminates rabies with aerial vaccine drops| Reuters

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