Oral immunization of foxes against rabies: practical experiences of a field trial in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Abstract The development of and the logistics used in campaigns for the oral immunization of foxes against rabies in the Federal Republic of Germany are described. The "Bavarian Model", which is outlined in detail, shows how local hunters were recruited for bait distribution and control measures at practically no cost. Over 10 million baits have been distributed in this way by hundreds of thousands of hunters in the Federal Republic of Germany as well as in the other European countries that participated in this large-scale field trial. As a result of the trial, rabies has been reduced or even eradicated in large parts of the Federal Republic of Germany.