Haute pathogénicité pour la souris par voie digestive d’un composant viral du vaccin anti-rabique à virus vivant modifié ERA/BHK. Sur la prophylaxie de la rage en France

Abstract

Oral transmission of rabies virus has been observed by many authors and it seems that strain differences occur independant of their viral quantity. An experimental vaccine strain ERA/BHK (WIRAB) used in foxes by other authors was found to give satisfactory results as far as antibody response and protection is concerned. In this presentation, the isolation of a plaque from this ERA/BHK vaccine by using another cell system (Vero) and which plaque was subsequently multiplied in Vero cells, showed an extremely high pathogenicity in mice by oral route. The original strain (ERA/BHK) killed also by oral route, but to a lesser degree. In the application of these viruses, all precautions were taken not to provoke lesions during their administration. The importance of this finding warrants immediate prohibition of the use of this strain ERA/BHK for oral or aerosol vaccination of foxes in control programmes. Its use should not be accepted, because the problem of rabies will be increased and more complicated than diminished, by applying this dangerous method. The authors give full consideration and warnings in respect of the inadequate legislation concerning rabies vaccines in France and other countries which will consider the use of such a vaccine or similar ones. In relation to this important finding of high oral pathogenicity, also public health aspects concerning the original vaccine strain ERA in primary pig kidney cells are mentioned. Government authorities who have licensed the vaccine ERA are invited to reconsider their autorization in relation to this finding of high oral pathogenicity, including France, particularly in respect of the importation of vaccinated (by ERA-strain) domestic animals, frozen carcasses and their products for human consumption and other purposes. This equally applies to all other living rabies vaccines not yet examined for possible oral pathogenicity.