WIMBERLEY & WOODCREEK HAVE A RABIES PROBLEM — AND A READY SOLUTION
THE PROBLEM
Our community is in the middle of a serious fox rabies outbreak. Hays County went from 6 confirmed rabies cases in 2024 to 19 in 2025 — the highest count in central Texas — and it's still climbing in 2026. Most cases involve foxes. Residents in Wimberley and Woodcreek have been physically attacked. One neighbor was bitten and suffered a severe fracture when a rabid fox charged her twice while first responders were on scene.
This is dangerous. And it is solvable.
THE SOLUTION — IT ALREADY WORKED HERE ONCE
Texas has a program called the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP), run jointly by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since 1995, aircraft drop small edible baits coated in fish oil and fishmeal across targeted areas. Wildlife eat the baits and become vaccinated. The baits are safe for pets, livestock, and people.
The result? The Texas gray fox rabies variant went from 244 cases in 1995 to ZERO by 2014.
The program worked. It eliminated this exact problem in Texas. Then it shifted focus to the Mexico border to prevent re-introduction — and the foxes came back in Hays County.
The program has a "contingency" provision for exactly this kind of resurgence. It has been used before. It needs to be used here, now.
WHAT I'M DOING ABOUT IT
I'm just a local ranch owner and concerned citizen. But I felt the need to do what I can. So I've organized the contact information and drafted ready-to-send emails for the 8 key people and agencies who have the authority and the tools to address this.
If 50 people send these emails, decision-makers will notice. If 500 people do, they will act.
Please copy and paste the emails below and send them. It takes about 10 minutes. It could genuinely make a difference.
THE 7 EMAILS TO SEND
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EMAIL 1 — Texas DSHS Zoonosis Control / ORVP (Most Important)
SUBJECT: Urgent Request: Emergency Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Drop — Hays County Fox Rabies Outbreak
Dear Ms. Parker and Dr. Rollo,
I am a resident of Wimberley, Texas, writing with urgent concern about the escalating rabies crisis in Hays County and to formally request an emergency deployment of oral rabies vaccine baits to our area.
Hays County has experienced a dramatic spike in rabies cases: 8 confirmed in 2023, 6 in 2024, and 19 in 2025 — the highest count in central Texas — with most involving foxes. Residents in Wimberley and Woodcreek have been physically attacked. This is not an abstract statistic. These are our neighbors.
The Texas ORVP has already proven it can solve this. The program eliminated the Texas gray fox rabies variant — recording zero cases by 2014 after 244 cases in 1995. Your program has a "Texas Fox Contingency" provision for exactly this situation. It has been used before. We are asking you to use it now.
We formally request:
1. An emergency assessment of Hays County for a contingency oral rabies vaccine bait drop targeting gray foxes in the Wimberley/Woodcreek area.
2. A hand-baiting program coordinated with county animal control and local landowners, similar to the El Paso effort in January 2026.
3. A point of contact our community can work with as this outbreak continues.
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has publicly confirmed this outbreak. Commissioner Morgan Hammer of Precinct 3 is actively engaged. Our community is organized and ready to support ground-level coordination.
Please advise on the formal process to request a contingency bait deployment.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 2 — USDA APHIS Wildlife Services (Federal Partner)
SUBJECT: Request for Federal ORV Support — Active Fox Rabies Outbreak, Hays County Texas
Dear USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Texas Rabies Program Coordinator,
I am a resident of Wimberley, Texas (Hays County), writing to request federal support for oral rabies vaccination targeting the active fox rabies outbreak in our community.
Hays County now has the highest confirmed rabies case count in central Texas — 19 confirmed cases in 2025, the vast majority in gray foxes, with the number continuing to rise in 2026. Residents have been physically attacked. The CDC has simultaneously paused some federal rabies testing, compounding the challenge for local and state health officials.
I understand USDA APHIS Wildlife Services has been a cooperative partner in the Texas ORVP since 1995. The Texas gray fox variant was eliminated through this cooperative program by 2014. What we are seeing in Hays County looks like a resurgence of exactly that threat — in a populated community 30 miles from Austin.
I am asking:
1. Can federal resources under the National Rabies Management Program be deployed cooperatively with Texas DSHS for an emergency hand-baiting or contingency bait drop in Hays County?
2. Who is the appropriate APHIS Wildlife Services contact in Texas to coordinate this response?
3. What is the formal process for a community or county government to request federal Wildlife Services involvement in an active rabies outbreak?
I am simultaneously contacting Texas DSHS, Hays County officials, and our elected representatives.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 3 — Hays County Commissioner Morgan Hammer (Precinct 3)
TO: morgan.hammer@hayscountytx.gov
SUBJECT: Urgent: Requesting Commissioners Court Action on Hays County Fox Rabies Outbreak
Dear Commissioner Hammer,
I am a Wimberley resident writing about the fox rabies crisis affecting our community. I know you have been engaged on this issue and I am grateful. But I believe the situation demands more.
Hays County recorded 19 rabies cases in 2025 — our highest ever — and a Woodcreek resident was severely injured in a fox attack in February 2026. We now have the highest case count in central Texas.
There is a proven solution: the Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, which eliminated the Texas gray fox rabies variant by 2014. It has a contingency provision for exactly this resurgence scenario. It is not being used in Hays County.
I am formally requesting that you:
1. Pass a Commissioners Court resolution requesting that Texas DSHS conduct an emergency oral rabies vaccine bait deployment in Hays County.
2. Engage directly with DSHS ORVP Director Kathy Parker at (512) 776-7676 and The.Vet@dshs.texas.gov to request an emergency assessment.
3. Coordinate with Judge Becerra to elevate this to the Governor's office if DSHS does not act promptly.
4. Request that USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Texas office be brought in as a cooperative federal partner.
Our community is ready to help. We just need county government to push state and federal agencies to act.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 4 — Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra
TO: judge.becerra@hayscountytx.gov
SUBJECT: Formal Request: County Executive Action on Hays County Fox Rabies Emergency
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Dear Judge Becerra,
I am a Wimberley resident writing with urgency about the fox rabies outbreak in Hays County. You have already publicly confirmed this outbreak alongside DSHS — I appreciate that leadership. I am asking you to use the full authority of your office to demand action from the state.
In 1994, Governor Ann Richards declared rabies a state health emergency in Texas. That declaration helped launch the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, which eliminated the Texas gray fox variant by 2014. We are seeing a resurgence of that same threat in a populated community — and the program that solved it is not being deployed here.
The ORVP has a "Texas Fox Contingency" provision for exactly this situation. It has been used before. Hays County deserves it now.
I am requesting that you:
1. Formally petition Texas DSHS — specifically ORVP Director Kathy Parker at (512) 776-7676 — requesting emergency contingency oral rabies bait deployment in Hays County.
2. Write to the Governor's office requesting consideration of emergency health authority if DSHS does not act promptly.
3. Request a formal joint response coordination meeting between Hays County, DSHS, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Texas.
4. Support a Commissioners Court resolution formalizing this request with the full weight of county government.
The families of Wimberley and Woodcreek deserve a response proportional to the threat.
With respect and urgency,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 5 — Hays County Health Department
TO: HCHDGeneral@hayscountytx.gov
SUBJECT: Fox Rabies Outbreak — Request for Community Action and Program Information
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Dear Hays County Health Department,
I am a Wimberley resident writing about the ongoing fox rabies outbreak with three specific questions.
1. Has the Hays County Health Department formally requested that Texas DSHS activate the ORVP contingency bait provision for Hays County? If not, what is the process for making that request, or for residents to support such a request?
2. There is a community rumor that Dripping Springs High School or DSISD may be conducting or hosting oral rabies vaccine baiting near their campus. Can you confirm or deny this? If true, which agency authorized the baits, and could a similar program be implemented in the Wimberley/Woodcreek area?
3. Is there any formal mechanism for residents and private landowners to support a coordinated, agency-led hand-baiting effort in our area?
Our community wants to help solve this problem. Please let us know how we can support your efforts.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 6 — USDA APHIS National Rabies Management Program Coordinator
TO: kathleen.m.nelson@usda.gov
SUBJECT: Request for National Rabies Management Program Support — Fox Rabies Outbreak, Hays County Texas
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Dear Kathleen Nelson,
I am a resident of Wimberley, Texas, contacting the National Rabies Management Program to request federal support for an active fox rabies outbreak in Hays County.
Hays County currently has the highest confirmed rabies case count in central Texas — 19 cases in 2025, primarily in gray foxes, with continued growth in 2026. Residents have been physically attacked. The Texas gray fox rabies variant was eliminated by 2014 through the Texas ORVP — the very program your office coordinates nationally.
What we are seeing is a resurgence of the fox variant in a populated community 30 miles from Austin. The program that solved this before exists and has a contingency provision for exactly this situation. We are requesting federal support to activate an emergency response in Hays County.
Can you help connect us with the appropriate USDA APHIS Wildlife Services contacts and advise on the process for requesting an emergency contingency oral rabies vaccine deployment in our area?
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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EMAIL 7 — City of Wimberley Mayor & City Council
TO: cityhall@cityofwimberley.com; mayor@cityofwimberley.com
SUBJECT: Urgent: Request for City Council Resolution on Fox Rabies Emergency
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Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am writing as a Wimberley resident to ask the City of Wimberley to take formal action on the fox rabies crisis endangering our community.
Hays County recorded 19 confirmed rabies cases in 2025 — the highest in central Texas — with most involving foxes in and around Wimberley and Woodcreek. A resident was physically attacked and severely injured in February 2026. This is happening on our streets and trails.
A solution exists and is not being used here: the Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, which eliminated the Texas gray fox variant by 2014 using oral vaccine baits distributed by aircraft and by hand. The program has a contingency provision for exactly this kind of resurgence — but no one has formally demanded that it be deployed in Hays County.
I am asking the City of Wimberley to:
1. Pass a City Council resolution formally requesting that Texas DSHS deploy an emergency contingency oral rabies vaccine bait program in the Wimberley area.
2. Coordinate with Judge Becerra and Commissioner Hammer to make this a joint county-city request.
3. Issue a formal public communication to residents that goes beyond social media — including what the city is actively doing to address the root cause.
4. Contact our state legislators directly and ask them to pressure DSHS:
- State Senator Donna Campbell, M.D. (Senate District 25): donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov | (512) 463-0125
- State Representative Erin Zwiener (House District 45): erin.zwiener@house.texas.gov | (512) 463-0647
A resolution and a formal letter costs nothing. The residents of Wimberley deserve to know their local government is fighting for them on this.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL]
[YOUR PHONE]
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THANK YOU FOR TAKING 10 MINUTES TO HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
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