(Vax-Before-Travel News)<\/p>\n
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today announced it is enhancing wildlife rabies prevention efforts in far West Texas.<\/p>\n
Announced<\/a> on January 13, 2026, the 32nd annual Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP)\u00a0aims to protect both people and animals by vaccinating wildlife along the Texas-Mexico border.<\/p>\n Funded by the State of Texas and others, the ORVP has successfully reduced rabies cases significantly since it began over 30 years ago.<\/p>\n Last year, DSHS reported 19 confirmed positive rabies cases in animals from January to June 2025.<\/p>\n Additionally, the ORVP is now expanding to address the Arizona fox rabies variant from New Mexico, located 150 miles away.<\/p>\n Aerial bait distribution, a key component of the program, will begin from Alpine on January 16, 2026, and from Del Rio International Airport on January 21, weather permitting.<\/p>\n These efforts will occur in the Border Maintenance Zone, covering 19 counties, including El Paso, Hudspeth, and Cameron, as well as targeted urban areas around El Paso.<\/p>\n The vaccine baits, small plastic packets dipped in fish oil and fishmeal, are designed to attract wildlife like coyotes and foxes but pose no threat to pets or livestock.<\/p>\n The two-week operation will involve six to nine flights per day, dropping about 693,600 baits at a density of 50 baits per square mile. Residents should leave found baits undisturbed and can report any concerns to DSHS at 1-877-722-6725 or 512-776-7676.<\/p>\n DSHS continues to monitor all Texas counties for rabies outbreaks, such as red foxes near Austin<\/a>, Texas.<\/p>\n For more information, visit the DSHS Oral Rabies Vaccination Program page.<\/p>\n