As part of the UK’s ongoing surveillance of avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, new findings indicate that some wild foxes have tested positive for the virus. While avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, transmission to mammals, including foxes, raises concerns for those who regularly engage with wildlife, particularly in settings where foxes may have come into contact with contaminated environments or birds.
What We Know About Avian Influenza in Foxes
The UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed that a small number of foxes have contracted avian influenza. The virus likely spreads through scavenging on infected wild birds, which have been experiencing high levels of mortality due to the current avian influenza outbreak.
While the risk of the virus spreading from foxes to humans or other mammals remains low, it is essential for wildlife enthusiasts, fox feeders, and anyone who manages or interacts with foxes to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect both foxes and themselves.
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Foxes
The symptoms of bird flu in foxes can vary, but some of the most commonly observed signs include:
Neurological symptoms: Tremors or twitching, lack of coordination (ataxia), seizures or convulsions, disorientation or other such unusual behavior.
Respiratory symptoms: Coughing or wheezing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and nasal discharge.
Digestive symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhea.
Lethargy and weakness: Foxes may appear unusually tired or weak, showing reluctance to move or hunt.
Sudden death: In some cases, the disease can progress rapidly, leading to sudden death with little warning.
If a fox is displaying these symptoms, it’s crucial to avoid contact and report the case to local wildlife authorities for further investigation and testing.
Biosecurity Measures for Wildlife Lovers
If you feed wild foxes or manage areas where foxes are known to roam, there are several key biosecurity measures you can take to reduce the risk of avian influenza transmission:
Avoid Feeding Foxes with Poultry, Wild Birds or Cats: Foxes can become infected with avian influenza by consuming the carcasses of infected birds. To minimize this risk, avoid feeding foxes any type of raw poultry or bird remains. Additionally, if you find a dead bird, especially a waterfowl or seabird, avoid handling it directly, and report the sighting to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) via their helpline or online reporting system.
Prevent Access to Food by Wild Birds, Cats and Rodents: It is important to ensure that wild birds and rodents, which can carry and spread avian influenza, cannot access food meant for foxes. Use secure feeding stations or enclosed areas to limit unintended access. Rodents and wild birds scavenging in these areas can introduce diseases to the foxes, so keeping feeding zones clean and safe is crucial.
Do Not Overfeed Foxes: Overfeeding foxes can attract a larger number of animals and increase their exposure to other wildlife, including potentially infected birds. Provide only enough food for the foxes you care for or typically see, and consider feeding at irregular intervals to reduce the chances of over-congregation of foxes and other animals.
Practice Hygiene and Sanitation: If you are feeding or interacting with foxes, it is essential to practice proper hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after contact with any food items intended for foxes. If possible, wear gloves when handling food or cleaning any feeding areas, and regularly disinfect feeding stations or dishes.
Minimize Contact with Wildlife: While it is tempting to interact closely with wild birds and foxes, especially in settings where they are used to human presence, it’s best to maintain a safe distance. This reduces the likelihood of disease transmission. If an animal appears ill or is behaving unusually (such as showing signs of neurological issues), do not approach it. Instead, report the sighting to local wildlife authorities.
Monitor Fox Health Closely: For those who care for foxes in sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers, regularly monitor the animals for signs of illness, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or unusual neurological behavior. If a fox shows symptoms that could be related to avian influenza, isolate the animal and contact a veterinarian or local wildlife expert immediately for advice on testing and treatment options.
How to Protect Your Animals From H5N1
When we think about viruses like H5N1, we often worry about their effects on humans. But did you know your animals—whether pets, livestock, or backyard companions—could also be at risk? Just as we take precautions to protect ourselves, it’s essential to create a safe environment for our animals, especially during a pandemic.
Here’s a simple guide to help you adapt professional biosafety principles to your own animal housing situations.
Assess the Risks
The first step is understanding where the dangers lie.
Are your animals exposed to wild birds or other wildlife?
Do they share spaces with other animals or humans who might be at risk?
What health conditions do your animals have that might put them at greater risk?
Create a Safe Environment
Design their housing to reduce exposure to potential hazards.
Use fine mesh to keep wild animals out.
Use sneeze barriers to prevent the spread of pathogenic material between enclosures.
Ensure good ventilation to avoid damp conditions that can spread disease.
Keep It Clean
Hygiene is crucial for stopping the spread of viruses.
Regularly clean and disinfect animal housing, platforms, barriers, feeding areas, and water bowls.
Replace bedding frequently and keep spaces dry.
Ensure all drains are cleaned daily and kept free of hair.
Limit Visitors and New Additions
Minimise the chances of introducing a virus to your animals.
Avoid letting visitors handle your animals.
Postpone introducing new animals until any outbreak has passed.
Vet check and quarantine new animals for 2 weeks, before introducing them to new people and other animals.
Monitor and Prepare
Be vigilant about your animals’ health and supplies.
Watch for signs of illness like coughing, lethargy, or unusual behaviour.
Stock up on food, clean water, and any necessary medical supplies.
Keep a pet first aid kit available and fully stocked.
Protect Yourself
Your safety matters too!
Wear gloves when handling animals or cleaning their spaces.
Wash your hands thoroughly with an approved disinfectant, after contact with animals or animal material. Wash your hands between contact with different animals also.
Wear a mask and protective clothing if needed.
Dispose of Waste Safely
Disinfect shared surfaces and dispose of waste responsibly.
Bag and seal animal waste like droppings or used bedding, then bag it again (double-bagging).
Clean waste sites and tools regularly.
Follow local government guidelines on waste disposal.
Have an Emergency Plan
Prepare for emergencies.
Know who to call if your animal becomes ill (e.g., a vet who understands zoonotic diseases).
Have a space to quarantine sick animals if necessary and keep a Pet First Aid Kit.
Keep your emergencies supplies fully stocked.
A Basic Guide to Decontamination Procedure
Keeping exotic pets requires extra care in maintaining a clean environment to protect your pets and your family from infections. This guide will help you clean and decontaminate your pet's living area to ensure a healthy environment.
Basic Considerations
Risk Awareness: Different exotic pets carry different risks. Ensure you conduct a basic risk assessment to assess each pet’s potential risks.
Safety Gear (PPE): When cleaning, it's a good idea to wear disposable gloves, and in some cases, a mask and overalls, especially if you are handling soiled litter or cleaning cages.
Cleaning and Disinfection Process
Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same processes, cleaning removes dirt and organic material, whereas disinfection kills or inactivates microorganisms. Your pet's environment should be both cleaned and disinfected on a regular schedule.
Cleaning:
Remove Waste: Start by removing any visible waste (like feces, old bedding, and uneaten food). Use disposable items like paper towels for this step.
Washing: Wash cages, structures, and accessories (like water bowls and toys) with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue, as this can be harmful to pets.
Drying: Allow items to fully dry before moving on to disinfection.
Disinfection:
Choose a Pet-Safe Disinfectant: Look for DEFRA-approved disinfectants that are safe for use with exotic pets, (such as Trigine, Virkon S, F10, Anistel and FAM 30) . Read the labels carefully to ensure they won’t harm your specific species.
Apply Disinfectant: Spray or wipe the disinfectant on the cleaned surfaces, following the instructions for dilution and contact time. Make sure all surfaces, including corners and seams of cages, are covered.
Rinse Well: Some disinfectants need to be rinsed off after the appropriate contact time to avoid chemical exposure to your pet. Let everything air dry before reintroducing your pet.
High-Risk Zones in Your Pet’s Habitat
Some areas will require more frequent attention due to higher contamination risks:
Cages or Enclosures: Clean your pet’s main habitat weekly, or more frequently if it becomes visibly dirty.
Water Bowls and Food Dishes: Clean and disinfect these daily to avoid bacterial growth.
Ledges or Climbing Areas: Wipe down perches or platforms regularly, as these often become soiled with droppings.
Frequency of Cleaning
Daily: Clean water bowls, food dishes, and remove any visible waste from the habitat.
Weekly: Deep clean the entire habitat (replace bedding, clean all surfaces, disinfect toys).
Monthly: Conduct a thorough deep clean where you disinfect all parts of the enclosure, including accessories, toys, and any hidden areas.
Safe Use of Cleaning Products
Always Read Labels: When using any cleaning or disinfectant product, check that it is safe for your specific pet species. Avoid using products like phenol-based cleaners, which are toxic to many exotic pets.
Storage: Store all cleaning products away from areas your pet can access to avoid accidental ingestion or exposure.
Waste Disposal
Pet Waste: Dispose of any pet waste (like litter, bedding, and food scraps) in sealed bags to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria or parasites.
Cleaning Tools: Designate specific tools (like sponges, cloths, or brushes) for cleaning your pet’s enclosure. Clean them after each use and store them away from food preparation areas. In cases where outbreak occurs, use certified disinfection techniques.
Air Quality and Ventilation
Fresh Air: Make sure the room or enclosure where your pet is kept has good ventilation. If you use a disinfectant with strong fumes, ventilate the area thoroughly before putting your pet back.
Air Purifiers: Consider using a HEPA air purifier to reduce airborne particles and dust.
Cover Enclosures: Ensure you can cover outdoor enclosures in the event of a local outbreak. This prevents potentially hazardous material from dropping into the enclosures. If you have more than one enclosure, also consider sneeze barriers between them.
Monitoring and Problem Prevention
Keep an Eye on Changes: Monitor your pet for any signs of illness (such as changes in eating habits, lethargy, or unusual waste) and adjust your cleaning practices as needed.
Regular Vet Checks: Take your pet for regular vet check-ups, especially if they are prone to specific diseases. An exotic animal veterinarian can give you advice on any special cleaning protocols based on your pet's species.
The Importance of Good Hand Hygiene
Always wash your hands after handling your pet, cleaning its enclosure, or touching food and water bowls. This is especially important after handling wildlife, birds or bird droppings, as these animals are the main carriers of bird flu. Hibiscrub or similar product is advised.
Preparation:
Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
Apply sufficient disinfectant (e.g., Hibiscrub).
Scrubbing (20–30 seconds):
Palms: Rub hands together palm to palm.
Fingers: Interlace fingers and rub between them.
Thumbs: Use one hand to clean the thumb of the other in a rotating motion.
Fingertips: Scrub under nails and clean fingertips against the palm of the other hand.
Backs of Hands: Rub the back of each hand with the palm of the other hand.
Rinsing and Drying:
Rinse hands thoroughly under clean running water.
Dry hands with a disposable paper towel or air dryer.
If you have children or vulnerable people in the house, supervise interactions with exotic pets and make sure they practice good hygiene as well.
Stay Informed with the Latest Data
The UK government, through the APHA’s Avian Influenza wildlife surveillance program, regularly updates the public on findings related to avian influenza in both wild birds and mammals. To stay informed:
Check the Interactive Map: The APHA provides an interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and confirmed avian influenza cases. If you have reported a dead bird or a fox displaying unusual behavior, you can track the status of your report using the location or your Defra reference number (prefixed by WSF- or REP-).
Use the Data Dashboard: Keep an eye on the updated data dashboard for avian influenza cases in wild birds and mammals, which is refreshed weekly to reflect the latest findings.
Summary
Although avian influenza remains primarily a bird-related disease, the recent cases in wild foxes should serve as a reminder of the importance of biosecurity when interacting with wildlife. By following the recommended safety measures, fox enthusiasts and caregivers can help reduce the risk of further transmission and protect both wild and captive fox populations.
For more information on avian influenza in wildlife and updates on the situation, visit the APHA’s wildlife surveillance program page.
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