Oral Rabies Vaccines Dropped Near El Paso

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today announced it is enhancing wildlife rabies prevention efforts in far West Texas.

Announced on January 13, 2026, the 32nd annual Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP) aims to protect both people and animals by vaccinating wildlife along the Texas-Mexico border.

Funded by the State of Texas and others, the ORVP has successfully reduced rabies cases significantly since it began over 30 years ago.

Last year, DSHS reported 19 confirmed positive rabies cases in animals from January to June 2025.

Additionally, the ORVP is now expanding to address the Arizona fox rabies variant from New Mexico, located 150 miles away.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DSHS continues to monitor all Texas counties for rabies outbreaks, such as red foxes near Austin, Texas.

For more information, visit the DSHS Oral Rabies Vaccination Program page.

Furthermore, rabies vaccines are available from various clinics throughout the United States.