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© NTAFoxes
An unidentified disease is making its way through the fox population of Tuolumne County, leading to an increase in sick foxes that have appeared in populated areas.

According to Jennifer Clarke, Tuolumne County Animal Control manager, agents responded to 12 to 14 cases of sick foxes in February alone.

"It's cyclical," she said. "Every seven or eight years a disease will make its way through a certain population of animals."

Animal Control only tests dead animals that have come into contact with humans and domestic pets. It also only tests for rabies.

Four foxes have met this criteria. One was touched by a person and the other three were attacked by pet dogs.

None of the foxes tested positive for rabies, so it is currently unclear what disease is affecting the animals, Clarke said.

In California, foxes are not common carriers of rabies, Clarke said.

According to a study on rabies cases in California between 1997 and 2006, skunks and bats are the most common carriers. Of the 2,788 positive cases, 1,630 of the infected were bats and 1,065 were skunks.

Only 43 of the rabies-infected animals from that time were foxes, and 15 of those came from Humboldt County.

Animal Control is awaiting a report from the state Department of Fish and Game, which does a wider battery of tests, Clarke said.

Disease can be a tool for keeping populations within manageable levels, Clarke said.

"Toward the end of 2009, there were lots of foxes everywhere," she said. "We haven't seen so many in a long time."

Animal Control counsels people not to approach or touch sick wildlife and to ensure that cats and dogs are up to date with their vaccinations and stay on a leash or on their own property to minimize exposure.

Calaveras County has not reported any sick foxes.