Sytuacja epizootyczna wscieklizny w wojewodztwie warminsko-mazurskim w latach 2001-2005

The paper describes the epizootic situation of rabies in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship between 2001-2005. The vaccination of wild animals has been conducted in the voivodeship since May 2001. In the year 2001, 387 cases of rabies, including 93 (20%) in domestic animals and 294 (80%) in wild animals, were recorded respectively. Among domestic animals the highest incidence of the disease was found in cattle - 53 cases (14%), in cats - 24 cases (6%) and in dogs - 16 cases (4%). Among wild animals, rabies was found in 184 foxes (47%), 85 racoon dogs (22%), 8 martens (2%), 7 badgers (2%), and 6 polecats (2%). In the year 2005, 78 cases of rabies, including 29 (37%) in domestic animals and 49 (63%) in wild animals, were recorded respectively. Regarding domestic animals, the incidence of the disease was found in cattle - 23 cases (29%), cats - 3 cases (4%) and dogs - 2 cases (3%). Among wild animals, rabies was found in 39 foxes (50%), 8 raccoon dogs (10%) and 2 bats (3%). This suggests that after 5 years of oral vaccination the main reservoir of the rabies virus in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship is still in wild animals, primarily foxes. Observations to date indicate that there remains a necessity to continue the wild animal immunization campaign.