Summary

Zusammenfassung

One map and four tables demonstrate the spreading and the advance of rabies in Germany and Central Europe in the period between 1953 to 1966 (six month). A second map shows the incidence of rabies in 1965. Because red foxes are carriers of the virus and thus of the epizootic it was essential to explore the ecology of fox population in relation to the epidemiological evidence. Rabies in wildlife is a population limiting factor among foxes with a cycle of three phases: limitation, preservation and recuperation. A diagram demonstrates seasonal appearance of rabies ; further it seems that there is generally a peak incidence in every fourth year. The graphic demonstration indicates the leading rôle of the red fox in the enzootic. The regeneration among the vulpine stock within Germany explains the persistence of rabies. The possibility that a multispecies enzootic exists or that other species of animals represent a reservoir of etiologic agent has been mentioned. Control of sylvatic rabies is difficult since the problem at hand is a synecolo-gical one. Gassing of fox and badger burrows seems to be the reliable control measure. Voluntary vaccination and compulsory antirabic treatment of dogs has not proved to be a valuable factor in the control and prevention of wildlife rabies.