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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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5/10/95                 Mitch Emmons

AUBURN'S LLAMA PROGRAM GETS GRANT FOR RABIES RESEARCH

      AUBURN -- With a small research grant from the Southern States 
and International Llama Associations, scientists in Auburn University 
College of Veterinary Medicine are pioneering the way for development of 
a rabies vaccine for llamas.
      "After the death of one of our llamas from rabies in March, the 
llama associations have provided $5,000 to start a research program to 
develop a rabies vaccine specifically for llamas," said David Pugh, an 
associate professor in the Department of Large Animal Surgery and 
Medicine and coordinator of AU's llama research program. "At the present, 
there are no rules pertaining to handling rabid llamas, nor is there a 
rabies vaccine specifically for them."
      Rabies was confirmed as the cause of death on March 31 of a 
female llamas in AU's 40-animal research herd. As a precaution, several 
animals -- including an offspring of the rabid female -- have been 
isolated and are undergoing rabies treatment.  Eighteen AU veterinary 
students, staffers and faculty who had been working with the animals are 
also taking rabies treatments.
      "Rabies among llamas is quite rare," Pugh said. "In fact, there 
are only about four reported cases in the U.S. If it was a dog or a cat, 
we'd have to destroy them. But since there are no specific rules 
regarding llamas potentially exposed to rabies, state authorities agreed 
that this presented an excellent research opportunity."
      Following state Health Department advice, AU quarantined about a 
dozen llamas that had been near or in contact with the rabid female.
      "We looked for bite wounds and found them only on a baby," Pugh 
said. "The animals are on a vaccination program that's approved for 
horses, and all are doing fine."
      Pugh said that the quarantine period is six months. 
      While AU 's llama research program is not equipped to handle an 
entire new rabies vaccine development effort, Pugh said the work underway 
should make a significant contribution.
      "We've got the largest llama research herd east of the 
Mississippi River," he said, "Right now, we've got about five different 
research projects ongoing, but we don't have the facilities that would be 
needed to undertake a complete rabies vaccine development program. The 
results we are hoping for will be a study in exposure; post exposure 
vaccination and how these animals respond to vaccination."
      AU veterinary officials say tests showed the llama that died of 
rabies contracted the disease from a raccoon.
      There are four species among the llama family, an animal native 
to South America. Llamas, which have been raised in the United States 
since the turn of the century, are bred for their wool-like hair, for use 
as pack animals and as guard animals for sheep and goat herds, says Pugh.
      "A lot of people have these wonderful animals simply as exotic 
pasture ornaments," he said.
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may95:AU-rabvac
      CONTACT: Pugh, 334/844-4490.