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1 January 2009 Benefit Cost Scenarios of Potential Oral Rabies Vaccination for Skunks in California
Stephanie A. Shwiff, Ray T. Sterner, Robert Hale, Michele T. Jay, Ben Sun, Dennis Slate
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Abstract

Scenario-based analyses were computed for benefits and costs linked with hypothetical oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns to contain or eliminate skunk-variant rabies in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in California, USA. Scenario 1 assumed baiting eight zones (43,388 km2 total) that comprised 73% of known skunk rabies locations in the state. Scenario 2 also assumed baiting these eight zones, but further assumed that added benefits would result from preventing the spread of skunk-variant rabies into Los Angeles County, USA. Scenarios assumed a fixed bait cost ($1.24 each) but varied campaigns (one, two and three annual ORV applications), densities of baits (37.5/km2, 75/km2 and 150/km2), levels of prevention (50%, 75%, and 100%), and contingency expenditures if rabies recurred (20%, 40%, and 60% of campaign costs). Prorating potential annual benefits during a 12-yr time horizon yielded benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) between 0.16 and 2.91 and between 0.34 and 6.35 for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Economic issues relevant to potentially managing skunk-variant rabies with ORV are discussed.

Shwiff, Sterner, Hale, Jay, Sun, and Slate: Benefit Cost Scenarios of Potential Oral Rabies Vaccination for Skunks in California
Stephanie A. Shwiff, Ray T. Sterner, Robert Hale, Michele T. Jay, Ben Sun, and Dennis Slate "Benefit Cost Scenarios of Potential Oral Rabies Vaccination for Skunks in California," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 45(1), 227-233, (1 January 2009). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-45.1.227
Received: 20 August 2007; Published: 1 January 2009
KEYWORDS
Benefit-cost analysis
California
economics
oral vaccination
rabies
skunks
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