Mycobacterium bovis Infection of Red Fox, France

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild red foxes was found in southern France, where livestock and other wildlife species are infected. Foxes frequently interact with cattle but have been underestimated as a reservoir of M. bovis. Our results suggest a possible role of the red fox in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis.

Keywords

• Mycobacterium bovis
• red fox
• Vulpes vulpes
• excretion
• bovine tuberculosis
• France