What is the major reservoir for rabies in Alaska and central Texas?

• A. Raccoon
• B. Fox
• C. Skunk
• D. Bat

Answer: (B)

In rabies ecology, the virus is maintained in nature by specific wildlife reservoirs, and which species acts as the main reservoir varies by region. For Alaska, rabies circulates primarily in fox populations, especially Arctic foxes, making foxes the key reservoir there. In central Texas, the gray fox is a well-established reservoir that maintains and spreads the virus in that area. So, the species that serves as the major reservoir in both places is the fox. This is why recognizing the fox as the primary reservoir helps explain regional surveillance and prevention strategies, including bite prevention and exposure response, tailored to those wildlife populations.