Standard Summary Project Fiche for the Transition Facility

Standard Summary Project Fiche for the Transition Facility 1. Basic Information 1.1 CRIS Number 2005/17360.03.03 1.2. Title: Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia 1.3. Sector: Agriculture 1.4. Location: Estonia Objectives 2.1. Overall objective: Reduction in rabies cases and the probability for humans to get infected with rabies. 2.2. Project purpose: Increasing the number of wild and domestic animals vaccinated against rabies. 2.3. Justification Comprehensive Monitoring Report, November 2003 Chapter 7: Agriculture Veterinary and Phytosanitary issues / / 26 Regarding animal disease control measures, national contingency plans on foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, Newcastle disease and avian influenza have been provided. Estonia has joined the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) on a voluntary basis. Most of the legislation on trade in live animals and animal products still needs to be transposed and implemented. Legislation on public health protection is largely in compliance with the acquis, but remains to be adjusted for farmed game meat, wild game meat, and certain aspects of milk and meat products. The upgrading of establishments has in most cases taken place in accordance with upgrading plans. However, certain delays have taken place in the meat and milk sectors. The acquis on common measures (including zoonoses) has partly been transposed. Shortcomings in the Estonian residue-monitoring program, and in the effective follow up of positive results, need to be addressed. The acquis in the field of animal welfare has largely been transposed. In the field of zootechnics, steps have been taken to align and implement Estonian legislation with EU requirements. The acquis for animal nutrition has partly been transposed but further legislative work remains to be carried out in the areas of official inspections. Estonia must ensure the effective implementation of registration and approval of establishments. In the field of phytosanitary legislation (harmful organisms, quality of seeds and propagating material, and plant protection products), transposition has been largely achieved but amendments are still required. Legislation in the areas of harmful organisms and quality of seeds and propagating material largely remains to be implemented. In particular, the process of selecting and upgrading border inspection posts that will operate after accession has to be completed. The plant passport system 1

has been introduced at a national level for some commodities. The main plant protection products directives have been transposed but, for the most part, not yet implemented. However, the monitoring program for residues is in place / / 2.4 Cross Border Impact Being a non-cbc project, it has no direct cross border impact. Estonia borders Latvia on the south and Russia on the east. As the frequency of rabies infections is high in the countries surrounding Estonia, it poses an actual danger to the Estonian epidemiological situation. Therefore the vaccination procedure would be continued within the area of 50 kilometres along state borders twice a year even after freedom from rabies inside the Estonian territory in case the neighbouring countries have not obtained a rabies free status. According to the information presented by the Latvian authorities in the trilateral meeting of the Baltic States (Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania) on rabies issues held on 21.12.04 in Riga, Latvia has planned to have the first vaccination in western and southern Latvia in the area 28 000 km² in the spring of 2005 and will continue to vaccinate twice a year in the years 2005-2006. Russia has not implemented any current program of rabies control by means of oral vaccination, but according to the information presented by the Federal Centre for Animal Health of the Russian Federation presented in the OIE conference in April 2004, Russia is also starting oral vaccination trials in limited areas with home-produced vaccines. There is quite a large natural barrier, lake Peipsi, covering most of the border area between Estonia and Russia. Also Narva River gives quite a suitable natural barrier near the northeastern part of the Estonian-Russian border. In case the vaccination area covers also bordering areas, direct contacts are made with the authorities of these countries responsible for rabies eradication to co-operate and find the most suitable eradication plan near the borders. Efforts made by the competent authorities of neighbouring countries to deal with the rabies problem give appropriate basis for co-operation. In the end of the project the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals will be decreased, which will also minimise the possibility of spreading the disease to the neighbouring countries. 3. Description 3.1. Background and justification: 3.1.1. Background Rabies is an acute mortal viral encephalitis of warm-blooded animals and humans caused by RNA-virus of the Lyssavirus family that mostly spreads by the saliva of a sick animal that gets into the wound as a result of a bite. The disease can also spread by the contamination of injured skin or mucous membrane with the saliva of a sick animal. All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to the disease. Birds seldom fall ill with the disease. Red foxes and racoon dogs form the reservoir of the virus in the wildlife of Estonia, as do the pets; cats and dogs catch it more often than other domestic animals. The incubation period of rabies is from 14 days to 6 months or longer (4 8 weeks on the average). An animal infected with rabies can spread the virus up to 10 days before the clinical symptoms appear. After the appearance of clinical symptoms the animal dies within ten days. Rabies has two clinical forms: aggressive and silent. The signs of damage to the central nervous system, behavioural deviations, salivation, paralysis of pharyngeal and skeletal muscles characterise both forms of the disease. 2

General overview A preventive method used in Estonia against rabies is the vaccination of dogs and cats, as these species are regarded as the source of infection for humans. The cost of the vaccine is covered by the state budget. Pursuant to the Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 67 Rabies Control Rules of 20.11.2000 (RTL 2000, 120, 1876) an animal owner is required to ensure that the cats and dogs belonging to him or her are vaccinated. The vaccination of farm animals grazed on woodland pastures and pastures adjacent to forests are recommended. Animals are vaccinated by veterinary supervisory officials, authorised veterinary surgeons or licensed veterinarians. Campaigns for the vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies, in which many pet clinics also participate, are conducted in spring, March and April. Vaccination data on domestic animals in 1996 2001 is brought out in Table 1 of Annex 6; vaccination data in the years 2002-2004 (31.10.) can be followed in Table 5 of Annex 7. Demographic data on wild animals The territory of the Republic of Estonia is 45,100 km 2, of which 25,000 km 2 is under forest. Rabies in Estonia originates from wildlife and its main reservoir are red foxes and racoon dogs, whose number has increased in Estonia during the last years according to the data of the Ministry of the Environment (see Table 2 in Annex 6 and the comments in Annex 7). Comparative data on rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 1999 2001 (see Table 3 in Annex 6), rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 2002 2004 (31.10) see Tables 1-3 in Annex 7. Rabies infections are more frequent in March and April, which coincides with the greater activity of foxes and racoon dogs during the mating season (January March), taking into account the 4 8 incubation period of rabies. The main source of rabies infection for humans is infected cats and dogs. The last case of rabies in humans was registered in 1986. No rabies infections of people have occurred in Estonia after that. Rabies infections of humans in Estonia across years since World War II can be followed in Table 4 of Annex 6. Epidemiological analysis and potential causes of rabies dynamics The structure of rabies infections across species has been relatively stable across the years. During 1968 1999 farm animals accounted for 6%, dogs and cats for 18 23% and wild animals for 71 76% of all the cases of illness. In 2001 the respective figures were: farm animals 7.2%, dogs and cats 10.8% and wild animals 82%. Of farm animals, the number of infections has increased in bovines: 3 cases of infection in 1998, which accounts for 1.8% of the total infections in animals, 5 cases in 1999 4%, 19 cases in 2000 14.5%, and 11 cases in 2001 6.6%. In the dogs and cats category, the occurrence of rabies has significantly decreased in cats in 1998 2001 (however, the number of cases in 2001 increased): 27 cases in 1998 16% of all the registered cases in animals, 15 cases in 1999 12.5%, 4 cases in 2000 3%, and 12 cases in 2001 7.2%. This may be due to the improved awareness of pet owners, who have started to vaccinate their cats alongside dogs. Rabies infections have also decreased in dogs: from 10% in 1998 to 3.6% in 2001. Among wild animals, red foxes account for 45.5%, racoon dogs for 25.5% and other wild animals (badgers, martens, polecats, squirrels, lynx, roes and elks) for 3.8% of 3

all the cases of rabies in wild animals during 1998 2001. (See also Table 5 in Annex 6 and comments and Table 4 in Annex 7) Costs incurred under the present programme The state programme carried out in Estonia for rabies prevention is based on the Infectious Animal Disease Control Act, the Rabies Control Rules, and the state programme for infectious animal disease control. Under the state programme for rabies prevention, state budget funds are used to cover the costs of laboratory tests of animals concerning rabies and the costs of anti-rabies vaccination of mainly dogs and cats. A preventive method used in Estonia until our days against rabies is the vaccination of dogs and cats, as these species are regarded as the source of infection for humans. The cost of the vaccine is covered by the state budget. Pursuant to the Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 67 Rabies Control Rules of 20.11.2000 (RTL 2000, 120, 1876) an animal owner is required to ensure that the cats and dogs belonging to him or her are vaccinated. The vaccination of farm animals that graze on woodland pastures and pastures adjacent to forests is recommended. Animals are vaccinated by veterinary supervisory officials, authorised veterinary surgeons or licensed veterinarians. In Estonia, rabies tests are carried out mainly for those wild animals that behave unnaturally and/or enter the premises of households and are killed. All bovine animals with nervous symptoms who have died or who are emergency slaughtered are also tested for rabies. The samples are taken and tested in the laboratory throughout the year. Costs in the years 2000-2001: The price of one analysis was 37,2 EUR (with bio-assay) or 13,4 EUR (without bioassay). The costs of vaccinating dogs and cats were covered from the state budget and the procedure was free of charge for pet owners. The cost of one vaccination was 0,86 EUR, which included the cost of the vaccine 0,17, the cost of a disposable syringe 0,05 EUR and the wages of the person performing the vaccination 0,64 EUR. (See Table 6 in Annex 6) Costs in the years 2002-2004: The price of one analysis in 2002-2004 was 27,4 EUR (with bio-assay) or 15,8 EUR (without bio-assay). The costs of vaccinating dogs and cats were covered from the state budget and the procedure was free of charge for pet owners. The cost of one vaccination was 0,86 EUR until end of year 2002, which included the cost of the vaccine 0,17, the cost of a disposable syringe 0,05 EUR and the wages of the person performing vaccination 0,64 EUR. From the beginning of 2003 the wages of the person performing vaccination have been raised to 0,96 EUR per injection. From the human medicine side, the state covers the costs of post exposure treatment (vaccination plus immunisation in case of need depending upon risk category) of humans bitten by a rabies-suspected animal. As the threat of rabies to human health has increased dramatically in the recent years, the amount of money spent on the prevention of rabies in humans has also increased consequently, being 0,79 million EEK in 2002 and reaching the record of 1,16 million EEK in 2003. Sums spent via the Veterinary and Food Board budget to prevent rabies occurrence among domestic animals have increased to 2,34 million EEK and the money spent on laboratory investigations of suspect cases to 0,38 million EEK in 2003. 4

Measures to combat rabies should be applied in parallel with directly protecting human health and should constitute a barrier between the wild animal population and humans. The number of rabies cases among both wildlife and domestic animals has risen dramatically in the recent years. Despite the fact that vaccination of domestic animals (mainly domestic pets) is carried out, the threat to be infected with rabies via contact with unvaccinated domestic or wild animals is also increasing for inhabitants. Resulting from health risks, appropriate measures should be taken to stop the future spread of the disease and carry out an efficient eradication program. (See also Table 5 in Annex 7) All farm animals are required to be identifiable in Estonia. All pedigree dogs holding a pedigree certificate that have been born on 1 January 2000 or later are also required to be identifiable. Source data, taken into account while elaborating the programme of the oral vaccination of wild animals: Territory of Estonia: 45,000 km². Population of target animals: no counting data available, estimated number of foxes and racoon dogs 30 000 individuals per two species in total. Epidemiological situation of rabies in Estonia: rabies is widely distributed all over the country, even in the islands. Price of one bait: Bait cost taken as a basis for budget proposal is 1,3 EUR Transportation costs of the baits and storage of the baits: approximately 8645 EUR. Bait dropping from an aeroplane(s) or helicopter(s) takes approximately 30 working days per one campaign. Storage time could be up to two months. Storage and transportation temperature depends on the vaccine description (in most cases 20 C, rarely +4 C). Performance of vaccination: in the framework of this project once a year (in autumn 2005 in an area of 25 800 km 2 ). Baiting density: as a general rule 20 baits per square kilometre. Cost of bait dropping from a plane: approx. 130 000 EUR per bait drop (covering 25 800 km 2 with the prescribed drop density) (price quotation from First Invest OY in cooperation with the Finnish Utin Lennuühing, air company that has experience in such work in Finland). Awareness campaign in the rabies matters is carried into force as activity related directly with the project. There are two main goals of this campaign to inform publicity via mass media in commercial form straight before each vaccine distribution period about vaccination activities and rise general consciousness of publicity character of rabies, as disease. The other project related activity is controlling of bait uptake by target animals to verify the effectiveness of the campaign. Option used for it is checking by laboratory testing of teeth of hunted foxes and racoon dogs for detection of biomarker tetracycline. Activities, related to the project are in more details described in Annex 8 The aim of the oral vaccination programme Since Estonia joined the EU, the state is the eastern border of the European Union. It is important that measures for combating rabies should be applied in the same way as in the other countries of the European Union. This will allow a natural integration into 5

the system of free trade and will ensure a protection against the third countries, which are not free of rabies. In the light of these considerations, the challenges of the action to combat rabies are to be considered as a priority in terms of public health and economy. The aim of the Republic of Estonia is to eradicate rabies. To attain this goal, the present programme will be ineffective, because rabies in Estonia originates from wildlife and its main reservoir are red foxes and racoon dogs. Therefore, wild animals red foxes and racoon dogs should also be included in the programme. At this moment wild animals are not vaccinated against rabies, except for the vaccination trial in the Vormsi island (92 km 2 ) carried out with assistance of AFFSA Nancy specialists as twinning partners (Twinning light EE02-IB-AG-04) of Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia in the spring and autumn of 2004). 3.1.2. Justification The aim of the project is for Estonia to put into practice a plan for the eradication of rabies via oral vaccination of wild animals in compliance with the following EU legislation: 90/638/EEC: Council Decision of 27 November 1990 laying down Community criteria for the eradication and monitoring of certain animal diseases. The central agency performing supervision over and coordinating the agencies responsible for the implementation of the programme is the Veterinary and Food Board (VFB). To take active steps to start the eradication of rabies among wild reservoirs, VFB worked out the rabies control activity plan in 2001 according to the Commission Guide for the achievement of eradication and control programmes in the veterinary field, part III Criteria for programmes to control rabies. As no state funds were available to fully cover such kind of money-consuming eradication plan, standard summary project fiche Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia was worked out on the basis of the above-mentioned documentation. According to the Phare project Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia (2002/000-579.05.04), oral vaccination campaigns were foreseen in the territory of Estonia in areas densely populated by reservoir animals twice a year for three years in 2003-2005. The above-mentioned project consisted of 5 contracts: 1-Twinning light, 2- procurement and provision of vaccine baits, 3- distribution of vaccine baits, 4- procurement of the equipment for assessing the samples of target animals and training the laboratory staff, 5- collection of samples for rabies vaccine intake control. Unfortunately the Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia was not fully implemented according to the implementation plan, the only component proceeded with was twinning light (EE02-IB-AG-04). As there was a lack of know-how concerning the practical aspects of oral vaccination plans, preparation of the tendering documentation began at the time of the first visit of the twinning partners to Estonia and in co-operation with them in November 2003. One crucial mistake in the planned strategy was pointed out by the French experts: according to the preliminary information given by local hunters, foxes and racoon dogs in Estonia live in very limited areas, but according to the information from the twinning partners, which was supported by scientific materials, this is not the case and vaccination in limited areas does not yield expected results. Thus, the work done to map densely populated areas and find practical solutions for covering these areas by 6

vaccination, came out to be worthless and the strategy was changed to cover an area of 15 000 km² as a whole per one vaccination campaign. Due to the need for synchronous actions taken in the framework of the project, several other practical difficulties were faced in connection with Phare procedures, like the incapability to provide training for laboratory staff by the company providing the sampling equipment (planned under one contract), due to the postponement of other components of the project, inability to use the money planned for the information campaign in the framework of the twinning contract straight before the vaccination campaign, as twinning had ended already by this time. As result of weak administrative support, drawbacks occurred while finalising the tendering documentation prepared by VFB in co-operation with twinning partners in institutions involved in the preparation of documentation. Resulting from the continuous postponements of vaccination campaigns and the fact that the Phare program will end in 2006 and according to the decision made in the Steering Committee meeting on 27 May 2004, tendering documentation and also the project fiche was changed to vaccinate a bigger area (25 800 km²) twice a year in 2005 and 2006. Despite these efforts to save the project, the tendering was not implemented, as tendering unfortunately stopped within the timeframes of EDIS block, resulting in the freezing of tendering and contracting procedures. In the framework of this project, experience gathered in the framework of the twinning light project EE/02/IB/AG/04 as well as the co-financing funds of the Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 are used to start oral vaccination in the territory of Estonia as soon as possible. Principal aspects of the vaccination programme have been worked out in close co-operation between the twinning partners. Before the beginning of the operations a choice of vaccination areas has been done taking into account several parameters. Most important of them have been: situation of the country and of the neighbouring countries regarding rabies and existing measures to control it; the number of rabies cases and their geographical distribution; existence of barriers (natural or artificial) for the delimitation of the areas to be treated; capacity of the local veterinary and administrative instances to implement the control and surveillance of rabies. Due to the ecology of foxes and the way of transmission of rabies among fox populations, a sufficiently large area must be entirely vaccinated (2000 km 2 according to WHO, 1992) and the vaccination must start at a sufficient length (at least 50 km). The choice for the best vaccination zones consists of selecting very large areas to diminish the risk of spreading rabies both in these areas and mainly at the borders of the vaccinated areas and to vaccinate them entirely. One possibility is to start the vaccination in the western part of Estonia (including the islands) until the Russian border along the northern sea line. In this case, if rabies enters again into this vaccinated area, it will only be from the Russian border and/or from the southern border between the vaccinated area and the non-vaccinated area. Other solution would be to start the vaccination from the western part of Estonia covering the area until the Latvian border and take the advantage of the western seacoast, but in this case it should be absolutely necessary that also Latvia started its rabies eradication project at the same time. Irrespective of the strategy chosen, a border between vaccinated and non-vaccinated areas should be made with the help of natural (rivers, lakes) and/or artificial (roads, highways, railways) barriers to avoid the introduction of rabid foxes from the nonvaccinated areas into the treated areas. As there are cold winters in Estonia and rivers 7

and lakes are usually frozen and also railways are not in use several times a day, important roads can be advantageous barriers. Taking into account the actual situation, the first strategy was chosen. The bait drop area, 25 800 km 2 incorporates the northern part of Estonia, from the west to the eastern border, including islands where rabies cases have been diagnosed. A continuous line using the roads (from Pärnu to Paide, from Paide to Põltsamaa, from Põltsamaa to Mustvee), coast of the lake Peipsi and the river Narva are used as the borders of the vaccination area. Bait dropping is not carried out over the surface of any populated areas, big roads, rivers, lakes and certain deep watery areas. The vaccinated zone includes several islands from on the western coast (Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormsi) and an island located northwest of Tallinn (Naissaar), where rabies cases have been recorded. There are several reasons for choosing such a strategy and the most of important of them is the financial aspect. As mentioned before, co-financing of Phare project is used for this project and therefore the amount of money available is limited. Also it has been taken into account that according the information presented by the Latvian authorities in the trilateral meeting of the Baltic States (21.12.04 in Riga), Latvia has planned to vaccinate in the years 2005-2006 the western and southern part of Latvia using the river Daugava as a natural barrier in the north and therefore in the nearest future the area bordering Estonia will not be covered by vaccination. As Estonia will apply for co-financing for animal diseases and zoonoses eradication, control and monitoring programmes for 2006, this project will be considered as a pilot project to ensure the successful implementation of the following vaccinations starting in the year 2006. As rabies is widely distributed all over the country, also in the southern part, the area covered in the application will be the total territory of Estonia. Applications for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases that are to be financed under the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund will be submitted by 1 st of June 2005 as stated in the European Council decision 90/424/ Article 24 (3). Our intention is to continue the vaccination campaigns until rabies is eradicated in the territory of Estonia. In case the neighbouring countries are not aimed at achieving this target synchronously with Estonia, vaccination will be continued in a buffer zone along the borders with those countries where rabies is still present. Estonian Hunters Association was consulted during the project preparation process for Phare project concerning the clarification of areas densely populated with reservoir animals, also concerning the habits of target animals. As one activity linked to the project, namely the collection of samples for the investigation of bait uptake is foreseen, samples are planned to be collected in co-operation with natural and legal persons possessing hunting permits and most of these persons are presumably the members of the Estonian Hunters Association. 8

3.2. Linked activities: Phare project Strengthening of TSE Control System in Estonia. The project purpose is to establish a system for epidemio-surveillance and testing of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). The project will end on 31 May 2005. Expected results of this project are: annual TSE monitoring program is developed and implemented in accordance with EU principles. Epidemio-surveillance measures with respect to suspect animals are in accordance with EU principles; veterinary officials and authorized veterinarians are trained; animal owners, slaughterhouse personnel, animal breeders and animal dealers are made aware of the issues; infosheets about BSE are published; laboratory staff capable of performing all the necessary laboratory testing; test kits and reagents are purchased for VFL (30,000 analyses per annum). VFB has the necessary equipment for routine rapid testing in the level required by the EU; VFL is equipped for histology and immunohistochemistry, specific for TSE, Western Blot as an alternative rapid method. FAO project TCP/RER/0065 (A) Improved Meat Production in the Baltic Region through Epidemiology-based Control of Trichinellosis a Parasitic Zoonosis in Estonia. The following activities were carried out in the framework of the above-mentioned project: investigations into the spread of trichinellosis in Estonia, distribution of trichinellosis in domestic pigs and horses, analysis of the epizootic situation of trichinellosis in game animals. Practical and theoretical training courses and seminars were carried out in many regions of Estonia. Several papers on FAO trichinellosis project and Trichinella infection in animals and humans were published. Estonian report of the project was compiled by the coordinator of the project in Estonia, professor Toivo Järvis in February 2002. Proposals were made for further activities like the advanced training courses for the state and private veterinarians and other specialists in diagnostics, epidemiology and the control of trichinellosis, introduction of the artificial digestion method to diagnose trichinellosis in small slaughterhouses, improvement of deratization. Phare project Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia (2002/000-579.05.04) As mentioned before this Phare project was not fully implemented according to the implementation plan due to a complicated nature of the project and weak administrative support. In the framework of Twinning light EE02-IB-AG-04 a study tour for 5 Estonian experts to France took place to take part in the oral vaccination campaign in France, also altogether 6 missions were carried out by 5 French experts to Estonian authorities. The following different actions were planned in the framework of twinning: to perform an audit on the regulation, the administrative organisation, the epidemiologic situation of rabies in Estonia. to propose a global strategy for rabies control and administrative organisation during the training sessions, and to elaborate a national program for rabies eradication. 9

to provide information on the coordination of actions and on communication strategy and to elaborate the communication and information tools. to train Estonian specialists on sampling methods, epidemio-surveillance, methods to fight against rabies and eradicate rabies. to elaborate the tenders for the aerial distribution system and for the rabies vaccine baits. to train on oral vaccination campaigns by performing the distribution of baits and to provide the technical help for the laboratory analysis of field samples. to conduct a final audit during the closing seminar. All the different planned actions were performed, except for the implementation of a rabies oral vaccination programme of wildlife. Complete overview of the French strategy to eradicate rabies was presented by the twinning partners. In the framework of these missions, 2 information days for institutions involved in the eradication of rabies (local veterinary centres, hunting organisation, veterinarians, officials of the Environmental Inspectorate, local media, etc) were carried out, also several meetings with the representatives of authorities involved (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Health Inspectorate, Ministry of Finances) took place. With the assistance of an expert from AFSSA Nancy vaccination trial in Vormsi island (92 km 2 ) was carried out in June 2004, followed by the second vaccination in September 2004 enforced by VFB. Principal aspects of the vaccination programme have been worked out in close cooperation with the twinning partners and also several draft documents (tendering documentation, reports, synthesis document) have been revised and approved by the representatives of twinning partners. 3.3. Results 1 : Contract 1 Result 1: 500 000 proper vaccine baits have been delivered. Contract 2 Result 2: 500 000 baits have been distributed with the density prescribed by the producer and according to the suggestions of the competent authority of Estonia. 3.4. Activities: 3.4.1 Contract 1: Supply contract for the procurement of vaccine baits (TF 400 000 EUR; joint Co-fin 250 000 EUR) Procurement and provision of vaccine baits needed for vaccination: ensuring the consistency of the supply, proper storage and transportation facilities. The bait drop would be carried out in a territory of 25 800 km 2. Baiting density would be 20 baits per km 2. Total quantity of vaccine baits needed is 500 000 baits. The average bait cost taken as a basis for the budget proposal is 1,30 EUR. 1 See Logframe for the indicators of achievement. 10

3.4.2 Contract 2: Service contract for the distribution of vaccine baits (TF 100 000 EUR; joint Cofin 32 500 EUR). Vaccine baits will be distributed by helicopter or aircraft in the total territory of vaccination, as the drop would then be more even. Number of baits distributed in vaccination area is 20 baits/km 2, distance between dropping lines is ~300 m. For small islands (less than 100 km²), it could be reasonable, in order to avoid a waste of baits, to use hand vaccination instead of aerial vaccination. Vaccination around ~2 km diameter around the edges of big towns (Tallinn, Pärnu, Rakvere, etc) and in areas inaccessible for aerial distribution, should also be performed on foot. Manual distribution with the participation of hunters, who have solid knowledge on the ecology of wild animals, could be used only in limited areas. 3.5 Lessons learned The Annual Assessment Report R/ES/AGR/99031 suggested that project activities should be implemented in a logical sequence and designed to optimise the benefits of the activities. Unfortunately the Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia was not implemented according to the implementation plan. The main obstacles were the difficult nature of the project and the lack of technical know-how in Estonia. One of the week points was poor administrative support. Therefore to avoid problems with administrative issues with the current project the MoA has already divided the different tasks between MoA and VFB. At the preliminary Steering Committee meeting (05.05.2005) the Task managers for each component were appointed and the implementation plan was approved. Drawbacks occurred while preparing the tender documents. With the assistance of the twinning experts all the tender documents have been presented to the Contracting Authority for approval. In the framework of the final session from 08.06.2004 to 11.06.2004 of PHARE Twinning light project No. EE/02/IB/AG/04, draft documents have been revised and approved by the twinning partners: Technical Specifications of contract 2 (procurement and provision of vaccine baits), Technical Specifications of contract 3 (distribution of vaccine baits) Terms of Reference of contract 3 Service Procurement Notice for contract 3 Tender Dossier of contract 3 Also the general strategy of vaccination was upgraded, to be based on scientific grounds and on technical requirements, which have proved their efficiency to eliminate rabies in several Western European countries. 4. Institutional Framework The Ministry of Agriculture will be the Estonian co-ordinator of the project. The direct beneficiaries involved in this project are two institutions within the Ministry of Agriculture: - Veterinary and Food Board The Veterinary and Food Board (VFB) is responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of legislation governing veterinary medicine, food safety and animal protection, as well as for state supervision and enforcement. This includes the 11

inspection of live animals, producers and processors of food as well as of wholesale services and transport. The Border Service of VFB is responsible for the inspections of live animals, raw material for food and food at the border. The VFB is also the competent authority in the field of animal health and is responsible for rabies control in Estonia. Elaboration and general coordination of the implementation of the rabies eradication programme is the responsibility of the central authority of the VFB. The 15 local veterinary officials responsible for animal health in the local level coordinate the implementation of the programme. Veterinary officials (20) or authorised veterinarians working for VFB (in total approximately 220 persons) take samples and send them into VFL. - Veterinary and Food Laboratory Veterinary and Food Laboratory (VFL) This laboratory is responsible for priority statutory testing under various animal disease surveillance and food safety control programs, also for laboratory testing of imported and exported animals and relevant goods as the institution providing inspection authorities with relevant analytical support. VFL will retain the laboratory equipment at the end of the project. VFL registers samples, makes necessary examinations and reports results to VFB. Analysis of the results and communication with international reference laboratories are also the responsibilities of VFL. 5. Detailed Budget Transition Facility support Co-financing Total Cost (TF plus cofinancing) Investment Support Institution Building Total Transition Facility (=I+IB) National Public Funds Other Sources Total cofinancing of the project Contract 1 400 000 400 000 250 000 250 000 650 000 Procurement and provision of vaccine baites (supply) Contract 2 100 000 100 000 32 500 32 500 132 500 Distribution of vaccine baites (service) TOTAL 500 000 500 000 282 500 282 500 782 500 The amounts of co-financing indicated in the table correspond to cash co-financing. The co-financing expenses will be monitored by the beneficiary and the NAO. For the earmarked co-finance, a clear and verifiable set of costs will be provided (ex ante confirmation by the MoF of exact budget lines and re-confirmation before each contract within either of the two components) and ex post for each project and at an aggregate 12

level for each budget line. Flow and stock data on co-finance will be submitted quarterly for steering committees and to the CFCD and on a half-yearly basis to the Sector Monitoring Working Group. Joint co-financing will be the rule for both - contract 1 and contract 2. All necessary funds for completion of the project will be covered by Estonian state budget. Since the speciality of the project requires continuing the vaccination until rabies is eradicated from Estonia, activities performed after the completion of the Transition Facility project will be covered by the Estonian funds. The beneficiary will define which budget lines are the source for co-financing. Flow and stock data on cofinancing will be submitted quarterly to steering committees, twice a year to the Sector Monitoring Working Group. The beneficiary commits to sound financial management and financial control. 6. Implementation Arrangements 6.1. Implementing Agency The Implementing Agency is the Central Financing and Contracting Department (CFCD) who will be responsible for tendering and contracting. The responsibility for project preparation, implementation and control will remain with the recipient institution. PAO: PO: Mr Renaldo Mändmets Mr Olavi Petron Ministry of Finance Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Secretary General Deputy Head of the Department of European Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn Union and Foreign Affairs Ph +372 6113 545 Ph +372 6256 255 Fax. +372 6113041 Fax. + 372 631 3628 renaldo.mandmets@fin.ee olavi.petron@agri.ee Project manager: Mrs. Enel Niin Veterinary and Food Board Head of Animal Health Office Ph. +372 605 68 76 Fax. +372 6211441 E-mail: enel@vet.agri.ee A Steering Committee will be set up to oversee project implementation. The Steering Committee will meet in the second quarter of 2005 and will meet from there on a monthly basis. It will include the representatives of the VFL and VFB, the Health Protection Inspectorate, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance. 6.3 Non-standard aspects No non-standard aspects are foreseen 6.4. Transition Facility contracts Contract 1: Procurement and provision of vaccine baits ( 400 000; Co-fin. 250 000) Contract 2: Distribution of vaccine baits ( 100 000; Co-fin. 32 500) 13

7. Implementation Schedule 7.1 Start of tendering/call for proposals April 2005 7.2. Start of project activity August 2005 7.3. Project Completion November 2005 8. Sustainability: Applications for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases that are to be financed under the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund will be submitted by 1 st of June 2005 as stated in the European Council decision 90/424/ Article 24 (3). The Government of the Republic of Estonia will guarantee the sustainability of the activities after the end of the project by financing the application to 2006 Veterinary Fund. On 21.12.04, the first meeting of the Baltic States to exchange information on the situation of wild animal vaccination and discuss further developments took place in Riga, Latvia. In this working meeting the three Baltic States (Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania) agreed that rabies control is an equally topical problem for all the three countries; consequently there are several identical or similar duties to be performed. Therefore, the attending representatives concluded that mutually co-ordinated activities were necessary, including such components as regular (if appropriate, operative) information of partners on the current situation, the measures taken, etc in the field of rabies prevention and eradication. The decision was taken to organise meetings of this type on a regular basis, at least once a year. Preliminary agreement was made to organise such kind of meeting in Estonia in 2005. 9. Conditionality and sequencing 1. An employee of VFB will be pointed to deal with the procurement and implementation of the project on a daily basis. 2. An agreement of the Ministry of Finance to use the national co-financing of Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia for co-financing of the current project. Sequencing: 1. Technical Specification adjusted accordingly to National Procurement Act by May 2005 2. The approval of tender documents by MoF ex-ante control by June 2005. 14

ANNEXES TO PROJECT FICHE 1. Logical framework matrix 2. Detailed implementation chart 3. Contracting and disbursement schedule 4. Reference to feasibility /pre-feasibility studies 5. List of relevant Laws and Regulations 6. Background, illustrating tables and maps 8. Evolution of rabies in Estonia in the years 2002-2004. 9. Project related activities 15

05/07/2004 TF log frame LOGFRAME PLANNING MATRIX FOR Project: Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia Programme name and number ANNEX 1 Overall objective Reduction in rabies cases and the probability for humans to get infected with rabies. Objectively verifiable indicators From 8 tested animals 4 are tested positive on tetracycline in the test conducted within 5 months after the distribution of baits. Reduction of rabies cases in the vaccinated area after vaccination campaign, at least 50% as compared to the previous year. Contracting period expires: Disbursement period expires: 15.12.2007 15.12.2008 Total budget: 782 500 TF budget: 500 000 Sources of Verification Annual Reports of the Veterinary and Food Board (VFB) and the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (VFL). Communications with the EC and OIE. 16

05/07/2004 Project purpose Increasing the number of wild and domestic animals vaccinated against rabies. Results Contract 1 Sufficient supply (approximately 500 000 baits) of proper vaccine baits is purchased. Contract 2 The vaccine baits are distributed with the density prescribed by the producer and according to the suggestions of the competent authority of Estonia. Objectively verifiable indicators Approximately 500 000 baits distributed in the defined area of Estonia and consumed by targeted animals. (October 2005) 50 % of hunted target animals in vaccinated area tested positive on tetracycline by the end of 2005. Objectively verifiable indicators 500 000 baits have been delivered by October 2005. 500 000 baits have been distributed by the end of October 2005 Sources of Verification Annual reports of VFB a) samples taken from suspected animals b) random sampling of target animals in order to control the intake of baits Sources of Verification Project report Project monitoring and evaluation report in the end of project Quarterly and annual reports of VFB and VFL on the results of investigations Beneficiary evaluation sheets after every component is completed Assumptions Assumptions 17

05/07/2004 Activities Means TF Cost ( ) Co-financing Cost ( ) Assumptions Contract 1 Supply contract 400 000 250 000 Procurement and provision of vaccine baits needed for each vaccination cycle (consistency of supply, proper storage and transportation facilities are ensured). Contract 2 Service contract 100 000 32 500 Distribution of vaccine baits by helicopter or plane according to the procedures and density prescribed by the eradication programme. 18

05/07/2004 Annex 2 IMPLEMENTATION CHART Project No: Project Title: Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia 2005 J F M A M J J A S O N D Contract 1 T T C C I I I I Contract 2 T T C C I I I I 19

05/07/2004 CUMULATIVE CONTRACTING SCHEDULE Project No: Project Title: Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia ANNEX 3 A Date 2005 31.03 30.06 30.09 31.12 Contract 1 400 000 400 000 400 000 Contract 2 100 000 100 000 100 000 TOTAL 500 000 500 000 500 000 20

05/07/2004 CUMULATIVE DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE Project No: Project Title: Minimisation of number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia ANNEX 3 B Date 2005 2006 31.03 30.06 30.09 31.12 31.03 30.06 30.09 Contract 1 240 000 400 000 400 000 400 000 400 000 Contract 2 58 500 100 000 100 000 100 000 100 000 TOTAL 298 500 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000 21

10/02/2005 REFERENCE TO FEASIBILITY /PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDIES. ANNEX 4 EK: Annex 4 summary should be presented (one-half a page). Final report of the twinning project performed by AFFSA Nancy specialists as twinning partners (Twinning light EE02-IB-AG-04) of Phare project 2002/000-579.05.04 Minimisation of the number of rabies cases among wild and domestic animals in Estonia : In Estonia both foxes and raccoon dogs are the reservoir and vector of rabies. Available epidemiological data demonstrate that at the moment wildlife rabies is distributed all over the country, including islands. At the moment, wild animals are not vaccinated against rabies and no prophylaxis is conducted on wildlife to control or to limit rabies progression. Most of activities performed during this project were aimed to study all aspects (scientific, technical and administrative) dealing with oral vaccination. As the budget available for oral vaccination is at the moment not sufficient for considering large-scale plan of oral vaccination, in all the country, therefore a choice of the areas to be vaccinated has to be performed before the beginning of the operations. The strategy proposed by twinners is to take advantage of the West Sea coast and to vaccinate the islands and a sufficient depth (at least 50 km) from West to East. Delimitation between vaccinated and non-vaccinated areas is done by taking advantage of natural (rivers, high mountains, channels) or artificial barriers (bridges, motorways). Considering the aerial distribution system, it is particularly important to select a company with experienced pilots (in particular for low altitude flying) and providing safe and efficient material). Concerning the rabies vaccines, which is the crucial point, the efficiency and rapidly to eradicate rabies depends mainly upon the choice of the baits: these baits must absolutely have an initial rabies viral titre (at least 108 TCID 50 /50/dose) and satisfactory must fulfil WHO recommended criteria of efficacy, pathogenicity and stability. Synthesis document has been elaborated by the Estonian project leader taking into account all the different topics of this Project and the recommendations made by twinners. It should be hoped that all the huge work generated by the Veterinary Food Board of Estonia during this Twining light project will be used with success for the further implementation of oral vaccination programmes in this country. 22

10/02/2005 LIST OF RELEVANT LAWS AND REGULATIONS ANNEX 5 A. Relevant legislation of the European Union. 1. 90/638/EEC: Council Decision of 27 November 1990 laying down Community criteria for the eradication and monitoring of certain animal diseases 2. Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC 3. 90/424/EEC: Council Decision of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field B. Relevant legislation of the Republic of Estonia 1. Veterinary Service Act (RT I 2002, 13, 79) 2. Infectious Animal Disease Act (RT I 2002, 13, 80) Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 67 Rabies Control Rules of 20 November 2000 (RTL 2000, 120, 1876) 23

10/02/2005 BACKGROUND, ILLUSTRATING TABLES ANNEX 6 Species / year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Dog 63,591 64,697 53,523 62,120 75,361 71,388 Cat 3,145 5,023 6,264 9,697 17,717 22,820 Bovine 1,262 737 864 1,307 954 885 Sheep 0 35 27 23 107 105 Horse 1 26 100 94 86 109 Pig 10 8 TOTAL 67,999 70,518 60,778 73,241 94,235 95,315 Table 1. Vaccination of domestic animals in 1996 2001. Total animals Red foxes Hunted animals Animals per km 2 of forest Total animals Racoon dogs Hunted animals Year 1980 4,100 1,103 0.2 3,000 757 0.1 1992 7,100 2,400 0.3 7,200 2,800 0.3 1995 8,900 3,326 0.35 7,200 1,723 0.3 1996 3,200 0.35 3,200 0.3 1997 8,700 3,156 0.35 6,500 1,516 0.25 1998 9,500 4,179 0.38 8,000 1,479 0.3 1999 10,000 4,508 0.4 10,000 1,925 0.4 2000 5,022 0.4 2,222 0.4 Table 2. Population and hunting of red foxes and racoon dogs in 1980 2000. Animals per km 2 of forest Farm animals Dogs, cats Red foxes Racoon dogs Other wild animals TOTAL YEAR 99 00 01 99 00 01 99 00 01 99 00 01 99 00 01 99 00 01 Harjumaa 4 4 1 8 5 10 1 2 8 1 14 7 23 Hiiumaa 0 0 0 I-Virumaa 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 5 1 4 Jõgevamaa 3 1 3 1 3 1 9 3 0 Järvamaa 4 1 1 6 9 5 9 1 1 16 19 Läänemaa 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 4 3 5 L-Virumaa 1 1 3 1 7 3 6 1 5 1 17 Põlvamaa 1 2 2 2 2 9 6 2 5 8 1 6 16 18 Pärnumaa 3 1 2 2 1 4 6 5 3 2 1 10 11 9 Raplamaa 2 1 1 5 2 5 2 5 1 9 5 11 Saaremaa 1 1 2 0 0 Tartumaa 1 3 2 11 6 17 8 5 15 2 1 24 12 35 Valgamaa 4 8 3 4 2 6 7 1 3 4 16 23 3 Viljandimaa 1 2 1 1 4 2 4 7 3 1 3 9 14 Võrumaa 1 2 4 4 2 4 16 4 1 1 2 2 1 12 23 9 TOTAL 5 5 12 26 15 18 52 65 74 29 26 60 8 2 3 120 131 167 Table 3. Comparative data on rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 1999 2001. 24

10/02/2005 Figure 1. Location of rabies cases in 2001 Year Cases Year Cases Year Cases 1947 1 1951 1 1984 1 1948 2 1952 3 1985 1 1949 5 1953 3 1986 1 1950 8 1955 1 Table 4. Rabies infections of humans in Estonia over the years since World War II. Year Red foxes Racoon dogs Other wild animals TOTAL 1998 45% 22% 4% 71% 1999 43% 24% 7.5% 74.5% 2000 49.5% 20% 2% 71.5% 2001 44.3% 35.9% 1.8% 82% Table 5. Rabies infections in wild animals as percentage of total rabies infections in all animals in 1998 2001. 25

10/02/2005 2000 2001 number cost number cost Analyses with bio-assay 157 5 838 162 6 024 Analyses without bio-assay 172 22 94 257 3 427 Total analyses 329 8 131 419 9 450 Vaccinations (state vaccine) 87 021 73912 85 628 72 729 TOTAL COSTS 90 175 EUR 91 630 EUR Table 6. Costs incurred under the state programme for rabies prevention in 2000 2001. 26

10/02/2005 ANNEX 7 EVOLUTION OF RABIES IN ESTONIA IN THE YEARS 2002-2004. The number of reservoir animals. Rabies in Estonia originates from wildlife and its main reservoir are red foxes and racoon dogs, whose number has increased in Estonia during the last years according to the data of the Ministry of the Environment. The number of large predators, wolves and lynx, has decreased though, being estimated as 90-100 wolfs, 500-550 bears and 730-800 lynxes in 2004. Statistics available concerning the population of small predators is not very reliable, as the fur of red fox and racoon dog in not very popular nowadays and hunters have lost interest in their multiplicity and are not carrying out counting. Correct data is available on hunting amounts. The number of hunted foxes was 7461 in 2002 and 4376 in 2003; analogous numbers for raccoon dogs are 4945 and 4124. It is presumed that the total number of foxes and racoon dogs could be 30 000 individuals per two species in total. Rabies infection in animals and humans. In the last three years the number of rabies cases has grown very quickly, being 167 in 2001, 422 in 2002 and in year 2003 the numbers made a sad record - 814 cases of rabies were diagnosed. raccoo red polecat COUNTY cattle horse dog cat n dog fox marten lynx mink badger TOTAL Harjumaa 1 4 6 23 33 1 1 69 Hiiumaa 0 I-Virumaa 1 1 Jõgevamaa 1 1 20 7 1 30 Järvamaa 4 3 4 38 13 1 1 64 Läänemaa 1 2 3 6 L-Virumaa 5 5 2 25 11 48 Põlvamaa 1 2 2 14 7 1 27 Pärnumaa 1 1 1 8 4 15 Raplamaa 1 1 10 13 1 26 Saaremaa 0 Tartumaa 1 2 1 35 30 69 Valgamaa 1 4 7 1 13 Viljandimaa 2 1 3 5 11 1 23 Võrumaa 2 4 3 8 14 31 TOTAL 20 1 24 23 192 153 2 1 3 1 2 422 Table 1. Rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 2002. 27

10/02/2005 COUNTY shee p, goat dog polecat bit beaver rab, mink lynx In the year 2004 (31.10) the number of rabies cases has been 264, 213 among wild animals and 51 among domestic animals. badger COUNTY shee pol badger p, racoon moo eca beaver mart cattle horse goat dog cat dog fox se cony t, mink lynx en TOTAL Harjumaa 2 2 7 1 12 Hiiumaa 2 4 3 9 I-Virumaa 1 2 1 5 5 1 15 Jõgevamaa 1 2 3 4 10 Järvamaa 3 5 4 1 1 14 Läänemaa 4 1 1 6 L-Virumaa 3 1 20 8 1 1 34 Põlvamaa 3 3 6 3 1 16 Pärnumaa 2 3 3 32 11 51 Raplamaa 1 2 1 6 3 1 14 Saaremaa 0 Tartumaa 5 1 1 24 14 3 48 Valgamaa 2 1 5 4 12 Viljandimaa 1 1 2 6 6 16 Võrumaa 1 6 7 TOTAL 14 0 0 22 15 128 73 2 1 0 0 2 1 6 264 Table 3. Rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 2004 (31.10). racoon marten cattle horse cat dog fox elk TOTAL Harjumaa 2 1 2 4 40 58 1 2 110 Hiiumaa 1 8 5 14 I-Virumaa 2 33 10 1 46 Jõgevamaa 4 3 3 30 20 60 Järvamaa 9 2 1 14 5 1 1 1 1 36 Läänemaa 9 2 9 16 36 L-Virumaa 3 5 3 50 33 1 2 97 Põlvamaa 1 1 4 2 12 17 37 Pärnumaa 7 2 6 50 38 1 104 Raplamaa 9 5 3 28 27 1 73 Saaremaa 1 1 2 Tartumaa 1 3 3 48 39 1 1 2 97 Valgamaa 1 2 3 15 21 Viljandimaa 6 1 28 18 1 2 56 Võrumaa 2 9 13 1 25 TOTAL 51 1 2 34 28 362 315 2 5 1 1 1 1 9 814 Table 2. Rabies infections across species in Estonian counties in 2003. 28

10/02/2005 Rabies is widely distributed in all counties, even in the islands Hiiumaa and Saaremaa. In the year 2003, presumably as a result of a very cold winter and the ability of infected animals to move across the frozen sea, rabies has been also diagnosed in small islands near the coast (two cases in Vormsi island and one in Naissaar). In 2003, most animal cases were recorded in the northern Estonia (Harju county, Lääne Viru county, Rapla county); however, a high number of cases were also registered in southeastern Estonia (Pärnu county) and in southwest (Tartu county). Only in a very few small districts in eastern Estonia rabies cases were not registered in the last year. The last mortal case of rabies in humans was registered in Estonia in 1986. Figure 1. Distribution of rabies cases in 2003. 29

10/02/2005 Figure 2. Distribution of rabies cases in 2004, first semester. Epidemiological analysis and the potential causes of rabies dynamics The structure of rabies infections across species has been relatively stable over the years. In 2002 farm animals cover 5%, dogs and cats 11% and wild animals 84% and in 2003 farm animals 6,65%, dogs and cats 7,65 % and wild animals 85,7%. Of farm animals, the number of infections has increased in bovines: 3 cases of infection in 1998, which accounts for 1.8% of the total infections in animals, 5 cases in 1999 4%, 19 cases in 2000 14.5%, and 11 cases in 2001 6.6%. In 2002 and 2003 the number of cases has been higher, but the percentage of total cases has still remained between 5-6,6%. In the dogs and cats category, the occurrence of rabies has significantly decreased in cats in 1998 2001 (however, the number of cases in 2001 increased): 23 cases in 2002-5,45% and 28 cases in 2003-3,45%. This may be due to the improved awareness of pet owners, who have started to vaccinate their cats alongside dogs. Rabies infections have also decreased in dogs: from 10% in 1998 (being in the lowest level of 3.6% in 2001) 5,68% in 2002 to 4,2% in 2003. Of wild animals, red foxes have traditionally accounted for 45.5%, raccoon dogs for 25.5% and other wild animals (badgers, martens, polecats, squirrels, lynx, roes and elks) for 3.8% of all cases of rabies in wild animals during 1998 2001. In latest years foxes have lost their status as the main rabies reservoir animal in Estonia and raccoon dogs have covered already nearly half of all the rabies cases. Year Other wild Red foxes Raccoon dogs animals TOTAL 2002 45.5% 36.3% 2.1% 83.9% 2003 38.7% 44.5% 2.6% 85.8% 2004 27.7% 48.5% 4.5% 80.7% Table 4. Rabies infections in wild animals as the percentage of total rabies infections in all animals in 2002 2004 (31.10). 30