Spotting an urban fox going about its business is one of the pleasures of living in a city.
But fox-lovers in Brussels have been advised to admire the animals from afar after it emerged that 80% of the city’s foxes are infected with mange – also known as scabies.
Mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by parasitic mites. It causes intense itching, hair loss and skin lesions.
The disease is a common infection in foxes, but sub-species of the mites target different animals. According to the Fox Project, the mite which causes mange in canines differs from that which produces similar infections in other animals such as cats, horses or in humans.
Dogs can catch the infection from foxes. However, the chances of your pet dog catching the disease are low given that most dogs receive flea treatments that guard against mange mites.
Other animals (humans included) may experience a mild reaction that resembles a flea bite or a nettle rash, but the parasite can only breed in canines.
Warning from animal charity
Earlier this week, the Royal Belgian League for the Protection of Birds (LRBPO) issued a statement on its social media channels saying that around 80% of the 164 foxes taken in by the animal care clinic in Brussels since the start of 2024 were infected with mange.
The LRBPO said it had received 40 emails so far this year from concerned members of the public alerting them to foxes showing signs of mange. Only around a dozen such emails were received in 2024.
The charity warned people against feeding or caring for foxes on their own and advised dog owners to keep their pets on leads. If you see a fox in distress, it is advisable to contact the LRBPO.
According to the LRBPO, certain foxes can recover from mange without treatment. However, if the disease has progressed, they will need veterinary care to get better.
