Recipient Organization
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
200 WESTBORO ROAD
N. GRAFTON,MA 01536
Performing Department
ENVIRONMENTAL & POPULATION HEALTH
Non Technical Summary
The Cape Cod Oral Rabies Vaccination Program was established in 1993. The original goal of the project was to prevent the spread of rabies onto Cape Cod. For 10 years, we were successful in keeping raccoon rabies off Cape Cod despite epizootic challenge. In March of 2004 a breach in the vaccine barrier to Cape Cod was identified. The current goals are be to reduce the prevalence of rabies and, over the longer term, eradicate rabies from Cape Cod. Continuation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Program at this stage has several long-term benefits for public health in Massachusetts and the rest of the US. Massachusetts has the nations' longest continuously running ORV project. The rabies vaccination program is an example of efficient and effective cooperation of local, state, private and federal agencies working together for the benefit of the public health and animal health.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (TCSVM) established The Cape Cod Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (CCORVP) in 1993, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The original goal of the project was to prevent the spread of rabies onto Cape Cod. For 10 years, from the first vaccine distribution in May 1994 to March 2004, we were successful in keeping raccoon rabies off Cape Cod despite epizootic challenge. We also succeeded in achieving the highest vaccination rates in raccoons for any vaccine program in the country. In March of 2004 a breach in the vaccine barrier to Cape Cod was identified, due to many factors including the possible role of skunks in the transmission cycle of raccoon rabies. Response to this initial breach in the vaccine barrier was rapid, and included many multi-agency coordinated actions. The Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) project will continue to assess the various factors involved in the breach of the vaccine barrier and the effectiveness of the initial response, in order to better prevent future barrier weakness, and to formulate the best response strategies. Our goals in Phase I - response to the breach - are to 1) reduce to zero rabies cases in all effected Cape Cod towns, and 2) maintain a vaccinated area for at least 2 years beyond the detection of the last rabies case in the area. Rabies eradication has been defined as zero cases occurring for 2 years in an area. The goals of Phase II - reestablishment of a mainland vaccination barrier to maintain a rabies-free Cape Cod - are 1) establish a barrier to the spread of rabies to Cape Cod by creating an area of vaccinated raccoons, adjacent to the Canal, 2) stop vaccinating areas on Cape Cod in stages as the barrier on the mainland expands (target of 3 years after last rabies case for complete withdrawal of vaccine distribution from the Cape), and 3) rabies eradication in 10 mile radius on mainland side of Cape Cod canal. The goals of Phase III - expansion of a mainland vaccination barrier to eradicate rabies in adjacent towns - are 1) advance rabies vaccination zone into rabies enzootic areas by adding 10 miles in width to a 30 mile wide vaccine zone each year, 2) stop vaccinating areas on trailing edge of vaccine zone (ideally 10 miles per year). In Phase IV - eradication of rabies statewide - the goal is to keep advancing vaccination zone until all of Massachusetts is rabies free.
Project Methods
With the goals of reducing the numbers of rabies cases and, over the longer term, eradicating rabies from Cape Cod, we will use the following tools: rabies vaccine baiting of wildlife, enhanced disease surveillance of wildlife(see attached addendum), improved program partner coordination and communication, risk communication and public education, emergency response planning. 1. At least one vaccine distribution (in the fall) and preferably two distributions over as large an area of Cape Cod as possible, given bait purchase constraints. Recent improvements in vaccine packaging will be tested for impact on vaccination rates and rabies case incidence 2. Coordination of activities of towns, county government, and volunteers for both vaccine distribution, and rabies surveillance.