Residents in a Pennsylvania neighborhood are being advised to avoid local wildlife, foxes in particular. According to NBC 10 in Philadelphia, a Malvern neighborhood is dealing with some sick foxes right now, prompting officials to remind people to stay away.
It sounds like the foxes may have mange, which is a contagious condition. Humans who interact with the foxes could unintentionally spread it, causing even more foxes in the neighborhood to fall ill.
The authorities are also telling folks to avoid trying to help the foxes, since it’s illegal to do so in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without a permit. Instead, residents are being advised to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report any sightings of the sick animals.
The news was also shared by local officials in Malvern through a wildlife alert, which offered a bit more info about the apparent mange outbreak. Here’s what we know.
The Alert Was Shared on Aug. 10, 2026
According to a Facebook post shared by the Borough of Malvern, residents had reported seeing multiple foxes with mange in the area. The post went on to address what people should do if they encounter the sick foxes, telling them to avoid feeding the animals since providing a food source could bring them closer to residential homes.
Additionally, the post reminded folks in the area to avoid handling the foxes, and to keep pets and trash secure when outside. “If you see a fox in real distress, contact the PA Game Commission at 833-PGC-WILD, or as suggested by the numerous comments in this post, contact a wildlife rehabilitator,” the post concluded.
Indeed, there were plenty of people offering advice in the comments, including a few who may not have read the directions from the borough too closely, since they offered up some home remedies to treat the condition.
What Is Mange
The Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, a division of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, describes mange as a condition caused by microscopic mites. According to the website, this skin disease can affect mammals. There are a few different types of mange, but most of them can cause infested animals to develop thick, dry, flaky skin. Most types of mange also cause the animals to lose their hair, which can be especially dangerous in extreme weather conditions, like freezing temperatures.
According to the health lab, there are a few different treatment options, which include topical medications. Additionally, some healthy animals with mange can also recover on their own. Unfortunately, when animals aren’t healthy enough to resolve the condition on their own and they are unable to get treatment, many often die.
Hopefully, the Malvern foxes are able to get some help before any of them get too sick and before any overzealous residents end up unintentionally spreading the disease by trying to help the animals against the advice of the experts.