Rabbia Silvestre, the second phase of vaccination is underway, with 60 vaccine baits for foxes distributed.
Rabies Silvestre - Bolzano: The second phase of the rabies vaccination has started in South Tyrol. From Monday afternoon helicopters in flight, throughout the Province, to distribute about 60 thousand vaccine baits for foxes.
The goal is to make animals immune to the wild rage that is affecting surrounding regions and provinces. "Rabies has not yet reached South Tyrol - explains Councilor Hans Berger - and with this second mass vaccination we will try to keep the situation unchanged".
In these first months of 2010, almost 150 cases of sylvan rabies have been reported in the regions of the North-East: 135 in Veneto, 11 in Friuli and 3 in Trentino. In addition to foxes, which are the most affected animals, rabies has also been found in some specimens of cats, deer, badgers and horses. "The only way to try to keep the virus away from our Province - continues Berger - is to carry out mass vaccinations". And here, the second phase of the operation has begun: 60 thousand vaccine baits launched by helicopters in different points of the South Tyrolean territory, all below 1.500 meters above sea level.
"Weather permitting, thanks to this massive intervention - underlines Councilor Hans Berger - we hope to conclude the second mass vaccination within four days".
The vaccine baits are about 4 centimeters in size, and they look a lot like dog biscuits, but they have a texture and smell that can attract foxes. “Inside the bait - explains Ernst Stifter, Deputy Director of the Provincial Veterinary Service - there is a substance that allows the animal to be immunized. Men and dogs who, by mistake, were to ingest the bait, run no risk, but signs have been installed along the paths and in the areas frequented by hikers indicating the presence of bait for wild rage ”.
Source: The Voice of the North East