Two foxes found dead in Utah after contracting bird flu

SALT LAKE CITY — Two red foxes were found dead after coming into contact with the avian flu, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

In the DWR press release, a red fox was deceased in a homeowner’s yard in Murray on May 24, with another found two days later in Taylorsville.

Officials collected the bodies and samples were sent to an out-of-state laboratory.

The samples came back positive for the bird flu and negative for rabies.

While no dead birds were found nearby the foxes, DWR biologists said they believe the animals came into contact with a bird or ate one infected with the virus.

Avian flu has been confirmed in wild birds in five more counties in Utah since the first confirmed cases earlier this month. Remember, Do not touch any dead birds that you find, and report them to our nearest office. Learn more about the current outbreak: https://t.co/RMyff61sob pic.twitter.com/DbJ51SE0Gt

— UtahDWR (@UtahDWR) May 27, 2022

So far, 25 wild birds have tested positive for high pathogenic avian influenza viruses across Utah’s counties, an increase from the 10 cases reported at the end of May.

Only one human case of bird flu has been reported.