Species: Red fox

Foxes are wild members of the canidae that can be recognized by there distinctive orangey-brown coat, white belly and tail tip and black ear tips. They are commonly seen in both rural and urban areas, and are typically nocturnal animals. They have a mixed diet, adapting to their surroundings and can feed on small mammals, birds, frogs, earthworms and carrion, as well as berries and fruit. They breed during winter  months and in the springtime a litter of cubs is born in a den which is typically found under the roots of large trees.

More information about the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can be found on the website of the British Wildlife Trust.

Disease general

No diseases found.

Research results

• Two foxes in east of Groningen diagnosed with Avian influenza virus (03/06/2021)
• Toxoplasmosis identified as cause of death in a fox (27/05/2016)
• New case of scabies in a fox in Limburg (03/12/2015)
• Fox with bacterial meningitis (30/01/2012)

General news

No news found.

Publications

• Diversity of Hepatozoon species in wild mammals and ticks in Europe. Uiterwijk, M., L. Vojta, N. Šprem, A. Beck, D. Jurković, M. Kik, G. G. Duscher, A. Hodžić, S. Reljić, H. Sprong & R. Beck. Parasites Vectors 16, 27 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05626-8

• Zoonotic Mutation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Identified in the Brain of Multiple Wild Carnivore Species. Vreman, S., M. Kik, E. Germeraad, R. Heutink, F. Harders, M. Spierenburg, M. Engelsma, J. Rijks, J. van den Brand & N. Beerens. Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020168

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Wild Red Foxes, the Netherlands, 2021. Rijks, J. M., H. Hesselink, P. Lollinga, R. Wesselman, P. Prins, E. Weesendorp, M. Engelsma, R. Heutink, F. Harders, M. Kik, H. Rozendaal, H. van den Kerkhof, & N. Beerens (2021). Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(11), 2960-2962. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2711.211281.