The shadow of rabies looms over Wimberley once again, with yet another fox testing positive for the disease. This recent case, reported by KVUE, involved a fox demonstrating unusual behavior near Palo Pinto Path on Thursday, May 29. After testing by the Department of State Health Services, the animal was confirmed to have rabies.
While there has been no known human contact with the newly discovered rabid fox, the Hays County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning, stating, "We are asking all people to please be careful," and advised against touching any fox encountered. In an additional statement obtained by CBS Austin, residents were reminded to remain alert and watchful, especially considering the prior incident in early May when a rabid fox bit a person and attacked two dogs in the Cypress Creek area.
The trend of rabies cases in Wimberley is concerning. In a neighborhood situated near Cypress Creek, a previous incident involved a different rabid fox entering a home and launching an attack on two canines, as reported by CBS Austin. The aftermath of this event left the homeowner and her pets unharmed, but undoubtedly shaken. San Marcos is also facing similar disturbances, with four individuals reporting encounters with potentially rabid foxes, two resulting in bites.
Officials have chimed in on the peculiar situation, acknowledging that fox sightings are not unusual for the season, but the occurrence of rabies among them is certainly not typical. If you suspect you or your pet may have come into contact with a rabid animal, Hays County authorities urge you to reach out immediately to the Hays County Sheriff's Office, Animal Control Unit at 512-393-7896, the Hays County Health Department Epidemiology Department at 512-393-5520 (option 3), or the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control at 254-778-6744 for assistance.
