Rabies is a virus that is zoonotic, meaning that it can be passed naturally from animal to human (Freuling et al, 2013)(Jackson, 2014). Largely wild carnivores transmit this virus, with foxes being a common host and transmission primarily occurs through a bite from an infected animal and can also occur through contact with saliva (Linscott, 2012) (Jackson, 2014). Rabies is almost always lethal in foxes and symptoms include aggressive behaviour, apathy and paralysis (Parostet, 1999).
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Climate change has been predicted to have an affect on the distribution of zoonotic viruses such as rabies through the changing of populations and distributions of animals (Parkinson & Butler, 2005). This prediction can be seen in Alaska where the arctic fox is the predominant host of rabies (Kim et al, 2013). Studies have shown the virus to have a seasonal trend peaking in winter, so it is therefore predicted that warming of the climate will reduce the rabies virus in arctic fox populations (Kim et al, 2013). Obviously this looks like a positive outcome; however red foxes have been predicted to step in as the primary transmitter (Kim et al, 2013).
This bleak prediction is due to a combined effect of:
· climate change factors having a much larger effect on the arctic foxes and,
· The distribution of red foxes being pushed further north into the arctic foxes habitat and therefore allowing the red fox to become infected with the arctic strain
This bleak prediction is due to a combined effect of:
· climate change factors having a much larger effect on the arctic foxes and,
· The distribution of red foxes being pushed further north into the arctic foxes habitat and therefore allowing the red fox to become infected with the arctic strain
This all points to a grim future for two reasons:
1. The vast distribution of the red fox means the potential for a much higher spread of the rabies virus and therefore a dangerous future for not only foxes but for humans. 2. It has been generally accepted that younger foxes are most affected by the virus (Kim et al, 2013). This is due to their inexperience causing activities such as finding territories and food to more likely result in aggressive contact with other foxes (Kim et al, 2013). Meaning there is an unpromising future for red fox populations. |