Evaluation of the oral immunisation of wild boar against classical swine fever in Baden-Wuttemberg

The oral immunisation of wild boar against classical swine fever (CSF) in Baden-Wurttember is described and evaluated. The bait vaccine based on the CSF virus (CSFV) strain "C" proved to be safe in wild boar of all age classes. The modified immunisation procedure consisting of three double vaccinations per year was very effective. CSFV was not detected beyond the second immunisation campaign. The average rate of seropositive wild boar diagnosed over all immunisation periods was 49.2%. The seroprevalence rate increased significantly during the first year of immunisation and reached its maximum after the third vaccination period with 72% antibody positive animals. The higher percentage of seropositive young boars in this field trial compared to the seroprevalence rates in this age class in other field trials in Germany may be attributed to the new vaccination scheme. Factors that may be responsible for the decreased herd immunity after the fourth or sixth immunisation period are discussed.