Skip to main content
News Release Hero Banner

Health Advisory: Animal Rabies Health Advisory – Public Health Region 8

Health Advisory
Health Advisory
July 31, 2023

Summary

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Region 8 has seen an increase in skunks testing positive for rabies in Victoria County and surrounding areas. The south-central skunk rabies variant is endemic to Texas, and rabid skunks present significant exposure risks to domestic animals and humans with a concern for spillover into other wildlife species. DSHS recommends people in the affected and neighboring counties be vigilant to avoid contact with skunks, foxes, and other wildlife, especially those exhibiting abnormal behavior. Pet owners should also ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies as required by state law.

Animal bites and exposures should be promptly reported to the local rabies control authority (contacts provided below). The PHR 8 Zoonosis Control Program can provide recommendations on animal quarantine, testing and rabies risk assessment for human exposures.

Background

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is most often transmitted by rabid animal bites. A person may get rabies from a rabid animal when it bites them or the animal’s saliva touches their eyes, nose, mouth, or a break in the skin. In rare cases, people can get rabies from scratches, abrasions, or open wounds that are exposed to saliva or other infectious material from a rabid animal. High-risk species for rabies in Texas include skunks, bats, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes, and those high-risk species should be tested for rabies if they have had contact with people or pets. People who are bitten by or exposed to an animal should notify animal control and consult with a health care provider to determine the need for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Below is a summary of high-risk animals that have tested positive for rabies in DSHS Public Health Region 8 in 2023. Of the 20 positive rabid skunks reported in 2023, 55% (11) have been reported in Victoria County, with the other positive skunks reported in Atascosa (2), Gonzales (1), Kerr (2), Lavaca (3), and Wilson (1) counties.

Positive High-Risk Animal Rabies Cases by Year and Species, Public Health Region 8, 2021 – 2023*

Species

2021

2022

2023*

Bat

36

18

6

Fox

2

3

3

Raccoon

9

2

1

Skunk

9

5

20

Total

56

28

30

*As of 7/31/2023

Recommendations for Clinicians

All animal bites should be promptly reported to the local rabies control authority or animal control. For patients with an exposure, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis should be given according to current guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. For guidance and risk assessment, clinicians should consult with their local or regional public health department.

Recommendations for Public Health

Animal control and local rabies control authorities should remind residents to avoid contact with wild animals and keep their pets vaccinated. Public health authorities should be prepared to provide guidance and risk assessment for animal and human exposures as detailed in DSHS’s Rabies Prevention in Texas.

Recommendations for the Public

People can’t tell if an animal has rabies by just looking at it. Avoid contact with wildlife and unknown animals. People with a bite, scratch, or other exposure to an animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and water and talk to a healthcare provider. The location of the animal, if known, should be reported as soon as possible to the local rabies control authority and/or animal control. Pet owners should ensure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies, as required by state law. Animal owners should also consider vaccination of livestock and other animals that may have frequent interaction with the public and/or risk of exposure to rabid wildlife.

For More Information

Animal Control & Public Health Contacts:

Jurisdiction

Contacts

Public Health Region 8

Zoonosis Control

210-949-2000 / 210-949-2121

Region8.Zoonosis@dshs.texas.gov

Calhoun County

Port Lavaca Animal Control

361-552-5726

DeWitt County

City of Cuero Animal Control

361-210-0357

Goliad County

Sheriff’s Office

361-645-3451

City of Goliad

361-894-2591

Gonzales County

County Sheriff’s Office

830-672-4440

City of Gonzales

830-672-8686

Jackson County

City of Edna Animal Control

361-782-5271

Lavaca County

Sheriff’s Office

361-798-2121


City of Hallettsville Animal Control

361-798-3683

City of Shiner Animal Services

361-401-9439

City of Yoakum Animal Control

361-293-5234

Victoria County Animal Services

Victoria County Public Health Department

361-578-6281

Victoria County Animal Control

361-578-3564

*For any jurisdictions not listed, please contact Public Health Region 8 for more information.