Canine distemper virus in gray foxes has been confirmed in multiple cases in two areas of a northern California county, according to state wildlife officials.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has seen an increased number of confirmed and suspect cases  in the Mount Shasta and Scott Valley areas in Siskiyou County. Most of California’s carnivore species are susceptible to CDV, the agency said in a release, with gray foxes, skunks and other mustelids also being highly susceptible. CDV is not transmissible to humans.

CDV is transmitted among carnivores by contact with oral, respiratory and ocular fluids and other body fluids (feces and urine) containing the virus. Animals with the virus may not show clinical signs but can still spread the virus for up to 90 days. Although infections in domestic dogs have been reduced through vaccination, infected dogs that have contact with or share food with wild carnivores can transmit the virus to wildlife. The virus also spreads among wild carnivores and mostly affects susceptible young animals.

Distemper can cause respiratory, neurologic and gastrointestinal illness in foxes. Clinical signs include, but are not limited to, depression, fever, respiratory distress, diarrhea, anorexia, incoordination, moving in small circles, yellow to clear discharge from the nose and eyes, and crusting on the nose, eyes, mouth or footpads.

There is no treatment for sick animals except supportive care. Infected gray foxes may not survive the illness.