Rabies in wildlife, including foxes, raises public health concerns. Understanding how this viral disease impacts these animals and what behaviors might indicate its presence is important for community safety.
Rabies in Foxes: The Reality
Foxes are a significant wildlife reservoir for the rabies virus in various parts of the world, including the United States. Rabies is a viral illness that primarily targets the central nervous system of mammals. Once the virus reaches the brain and symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, most often via a bite or scratch. Wildlife, including foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats, are the primary sources of rabies cases in animals in the United States. Red and gray foxes maintain distinct variants of the rabies virus in certain geographic areas, such as Alaska, the northeastern U.S., Texas, and Arizona.
Recognizing Rabid Fox Behavior
A fox exhibiting unusual behavior could indicate rabies. Normal foxes are shy and avoid human contact, often active during dawn, dusk, or night. A rabid fox might display a lack of fear toward humans, appearing unusually tame or approachable. They may also be seen wandering aimlessly or during daytime hours, which warrants caution.
Rabies in foxes can manifest in two forms: “furious” or “dumb” (paralytic) rabies. Furious rabies involves aggression, agitation, and unprovoked attacks on people, pets, or inanimate objects. Signs may include growling, snapping, disorientation, and excessive salivation, sometimes appearing as foaming at the mouth.
In contrast, dumb rabies causes an infected fox to appear lethargic, weak, and uncoordinated. They may seem depressed, exhibit partial paralysis, or have a sagging jaw, making swallowing difficult. Both forms progress to severe neurological dysfunction, leading to seizures, paralysis, coma, and death, within a few days of symptom onset.
Protecting Yourself and Pets
Preventing rabies exposure from foxes involves several steps. Vaccinating pets, including dogs and cats, against rabies is a primary defense and often legally required. Avoid contact with all wild animals, including foxes, and never attempt to feed them. Securing trash in tightly lidded containers and removing other potential food sources like pet food left outdoors can deter foxes from residential areas.
If you encounter a fox exhibiting signs of rabies, such as aggression, disorientation, or unusual tameness, do not approach it. Instead, contact your local animal control agency, police department, or health department immediately. If a bite or scratch from a fox or any wild animal occurs, promptly wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention, even if the wound seems minor, as prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent the disease. This treatment involves a series of rabies vaccine doses and, in some cases, rabies immunoglobulin.