#RedFox 1st mammal in #Virginia to test positive for #AvianInfluenza
Culpeper Star-Exponent Apr 17, 2025
"Blue Ridge Wildlife Center recently admitted an adult female red fox from the Town of #HamiltonVirginia, in Loudoun County, that tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This is the first report of an #HPAI positive mammal in Virginia, according to a news release from the nonprofit rescue in Boyce, Clarke County.
"On intake March 31, the animal was not responding to handling.
" 'She was also exhibiting tremors and nystagmus, a rhythmic, involuntary eye movement that is often seen with brain trauma or disease. Given these severe neurological signs without any indication of trauma, our top differentials were rabies, distemper, and HPAI.'
"As all of these diseases have a very poor prognosis, humane euthanasia was elected. Rabies testing came back negative, the center said. Brain tissue samples again confirmed HPAI suggesting it as the primary cause of the clinical signs this fox was exhibiting, according to an April 8 update.
"Though a first for Virginia, many other states have seen many mammalian positives, especially in dairy cows and free-roaming domestic cats.
" 'With cases on the rise at our hospital, and foxes having been found positive in multiple nearby states, this case did not come as a surprise, according to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center statement. “This positive was of course reported to the proper authorities and those that came into contact with the fox are actively monitoring for HPAI signs, which include fever, body aches, and irritated eyes in humans.'
"The center requested the public help minimize the risk of this virus by keeping a respectful distance from wildlife. Most cats are infected by hunting wild prey or ingesting raw meat or milk, so pets should not be allowed to free roam or be fed raw milk or meat products.
" 'This virus is still considered low risk to humans and there is no need to be concerned as long as you are staying up to date on the outbreak through reliable sources and taking proper precautions around wildlife and susceptible domestics,' the center stated."
Source:
https://richmond.com/article_aaf2259f-667e-5cce-b8ca-3d327a06399c.html
