Far West Texas will now be included in Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP) bait drop.

The annual program began Jan. 7 and now includes bait distribution in parts of El Paso County and other counties bordering New Mexico.

A new Arizona fox rabies virus variant has been confirmed in Sierra County, New Mexico. The program aims to help keep Texas free of the rabies variants.

“Texas has eliminated two canid rabies variants by the utilization of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program,” said Kathy Parker, DSHS ORVP director. “By moving the program to now include Far West Texas, DSHS is striving to protect the people and animals in that area.”

The 2025 ORVP will distribute more than 1 million baits across 24 Texas border counties.

The first drop began in Van Horn in Culberson County.

Additional drops are scheduled to depart from Del Rio on Jan. 14 and Edinburg on Jan. 20.

More than 1 million baits will be distributed, covering the state’s border maintenance zones.

Aircraft fly at altitudes of 500 to 1,000 feet, releasing baits along half-mile interval lines in six to nine daily flights.

The vaccines are packaged in small, plastic packets that resemble fast-food ketchup packets and are dipped in fish oil and coated fish-meal crumbles to attract wildlife.

The packets do not pose a threat to pets and non-canine wildlife.

This is the 31st year DSHS has facilitated the bait drop program. ORVP has proven to be an effective defense against the spread of the domestic dog/coyote rabies variant and the Texas gray fox variant.

The program, which costs around $2.3 million annually, is funded by the State of Texas and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Wildlife Services.

The ORVP has been instrumental in eliminating rabies variants, DSHS said. No human cases of rabies attributable to these rabies variants have been identified since ORVP began in 1995.

Preventing strangles in horses

Strangles, a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses, peak in the spring. Horse owners are encouraged to focus on prevention this time of year. Learn the signs, testing options and how the disease spreads.

The risk of strangles, a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses, increases this time of year.

Strangles are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. Cases typically peak in the spring. According to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, now is a good time to think about prevention.

Horses of all ages can be infected, but younger horses are especially vulnerable.

Since strangles are highly contagious, strict isolation is the first step in preventing further outbreaks. Horses infected or suspected of being infected should immediately be isolated. Infected horses should not be taken to public events, and no horses should enter a contaminated facility.

Although the mortality rate for strangles is low, the disease can develop into more complicated problems if untreated. In rare cases, the infection may spread to other parts of the body, affecting major organs.

Signs of infection

“Know the signs,” said Semira Mancill, DVM, TVMDL veterinary diagnostician and theriogenologist. “Horses may be contagious even before showing signs, so early detection is key.”

Strangles symptoms include fever, a thick nasal discharge, difficulty swallowing, swelling, and abscesses under the jaw.

The disease is called strangles because the swelling can obstruct a horse’s airway, causing difficulty breathing. Usually, infected horses will feel sick for a few weeks, experiencing respiratory issues and discomfort.

Testing options

TVMDL performs PCR tests and bacterial cultures to detect strangles. A positive result from a PCR test indicates that the DNA of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi is present, meaning the horse is likely infected or a carrier. This specific and sensitive test option provides quick results in a day or two.

The PCR test differentiates between Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, which are two closely related bacteria.

As an alternative, results from bacterial culture take longer, but a positive result confirms the presence of live bacteria. In this case, the horse is certainly shedding the infectious material. This method will determine whether the bacteria are actively replicating.

Recovering from strangles

Strangles spreads through direct contact with infected horses. The disease can also be transmitted indirectly through contact with surfaces contaminated with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.

Barn equipment, including feed and water buckets commonly contain infectious agents. Human hands and clothing may also harbor the bacterium.

Some horses may still carry bacteria without showing symptoms. These are called asymptomatic carriers.

“Horses that have had strangles should be tested several weeks after symptoms resolve to confirm that they are no longer shedding bacteria,” Mancill said. “Carrier horses can be a hidden source of infection, so this step is essential for disease control.”

After an outbreak is discovered, the facility should be thoroughly cleaned. All organic material should be removed from surfaces. All water buckets, troughs, feeders, fences, stalls, tack and trailers should be disinfected with a diluted bleach solution, allowing plenty of time to dry before they are used again.

Key takeaways

Preventing and managing strangles requires isolating infected horses, limiting horse movement in and out of the facility, and disinfecting surroundings.

Communication with your veterinarian and testing are also essential to detect and control the disease early. These measures are key to reducing the risk of further outbreaks and protecting equine health.