Characteristics of the Spread of a Wildlife Rabies Epidemic in Europe

Abstract

During the past 10 years much data on fox ecology has been obtained within the WHO/FAO Coordinated Research Programme on Wildlife Rabies in Europe. Scientists in a number of European countries have studied the interaction between fox populations, rabies, and control measures under different topographical conditions. Moreover, the role of other wild carnivores and the effect of rabies and fox population control on these species, as well as on small game and rodents, have been investigated (Moegle et al., 1971, Müller, 1971, Wandeler et al., 1974(a) and (b)). In some European countries these research projects were supplemented by ecological studies on the composition and annual turnover of stable fox populations after reduction by rabies and control measures (Bögel et al., 1974, Lloyd et al., 1976, Wandeler et al. (c), 1974). Special studies using electronic data processing dealt with the characteristics of the spread of wildlife rabies in the former administrative area of Südwürttemberg-Hohenzollern and two adjacent districts (Stockach and Uberlingen) of the Land Baden-Württemberg, Federal Republic of Germany (Bögel et al., 1976).