Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is warning residents that three baby foxes in the area are now known to have contracted the same avian flu variant that has led to deaths of millions of birds across the state.

Agency officials stressed the finding comes as a new discovery, adding that up until now local researchers had not found the strain in mammals, with infected foxes having only been previously found in Minnesota, Michigan, Canada and Europe.

DNR Wildlife Veterinarian Lindsey Long hypothesizes that the wild red fox kits probably contracted the virus after eating infected birds. She added thus far there is little reason to conclude that foxes are a major contributor to the spread of the bird flu.

“We know that certain species of wild birds, such as waterfowl and some of our raptor species are most likely to be affected by this HPAI virus,” Long told NBC 15.

DNR officials added to date the bird flu stain known as H5N1 has not been found in domestic dogs or cats. Just the same, they recommend that anyone who sees their pet in contact with animals showing neurological symptoms to contact the health department or a veterinarian. Symptoms include pacing to walking circles, unbalanced posture or displaying head or body tremors.

With millions of birds known to have been killed by the virus that the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection points out is known to have already spread to at least 11 counties across the state, DNR recommends people not to approach a wild mammal that appears to sick or injured.

For now, the agency is also advising poultry owners to continue with strict biosecurity protocols and to keep their flocks indoors whenever possible. Authorities have also recently banned taking any type of domestic bird to a live event z cross the state, which is set to remain in effect until 30 days after the last recorded case of the virus in a domestic flock.