Scientific studies
New research conducted by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, in collaboration with the Netherlands Wildlife Health Centre at Utrecht University, shows that foxes can be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1), especially when the virus circulates among wild birds.
What has been ascertained
These are the key findings of a study of 50 foxes in Friesland:
- H5N1 viral material was detected in one animal
- Nearly half of the foxes had antibodies against avian influenza
- An active infection without neurological symptoms was identified
These findings are important because mammalian surveillance often focuses primarily on neurological signs. The study demonstrates that nose and throat swabs combined with serology are essential to better understand infection dynamics in hunted carnivores.
Hunters and wildlife
As emphasized by FACE (European Federation for Hunting and Conservation), hunters and wildlife professionals play a key role in this regard. Testing on hunted foxes provides valuable, real-world data that supports scientific monitoring and early warning systems. Effective wildlife disease surveillance, moreover, depends on field data, cooperation, and science, not hypotheses (source: FACE).
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