News You Can Use from the Hays County Local Health Department – January 2017
Medical Director: Charles Anderson M.D. (May be reached through CD/TB Supervisor)
Clinic Director: Clint Garza james.garza@co.hays.tx.us
Clinic Manager: Margie Rodriguez margie@co.hays.tx.us 512-393-5535
Communicable Disease/TB Supervisor: Iris Barrera R.N. iris.barrera@co.hays.tx.us 512-393-5569
TB Program Assistant: Wilma Lewter NCMA wilma.lewter@co.hays.tx.us 512-393-5529
Epidemiology/Communicable Disease: Eric Schneider eric.schneider@co.hays.tx.us 512-393-5525 / Sophia Anyatonwu MPH, CIC sophia.anyatonwu@co.hays.tx.us 512-393-5524
Texas Vaccine for Children Program (TVFC)
Health Care Providers, did you know you can get FREE vaccine for your qualifying patients? Those without insurance, on Medicaid, or in the CHIP program can receive their immunizations from you, through this State program. In addition, your staff receives personalized guidance from our TVFC coordinator, Amelia Flores, regarding immunization up-dates, vaccine storage, and rotating stock. She will visit your clinic and get you set up! If interested, please contact Amelia @
(512) 393-5539 or email her amelia.flores@co.hays.tx.us
ImmTrac
What a great idea! Everyone should be on it! It’s available for children and adults. It’s free and secure. It’s accessible from provider to provider.
For more information and assistance with setting up this valuable tracking system contact:
Josie Gonzales 512-393-5574 josie.gonzales@co.hays.tx.us / Elsira S. De Leon 512-393-5575 elsira.deleon@co.hays.tx.us
Tuberculosis Elimination
HCLHD TB elimination program provides free follow-up for reactive TB tests in addition to free medication and case management for both TB Active Disease and Latent infections. We currently offer three different drug regimens for Latent Tuberculosis Infections: Isoniazid 9months, Rifampin 4 months, and our newest therapy 3HP; an observed dose given once a week for 12 weeks. Public safety is also ensured by our free and required case management of TB patients with Active Disease. The required work-up: positive TB test results and TB400 DSHS reporting form must be sent to HCLHD within one (1) working day for oversight and state reporting. Fax to 512-393-5530
TB400 Reporting form
http://www.dshs.texas.gov/idcu/disease/tb/forms/default.asp
A Comeback Story: Mumps!!!
Over the past two weeks, local health departments have reported over 70 new cases of mumps throughout Texas. While the majority of the outbreak has been seen in North Texas, individual cases have been reported here in Central Texas too.
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite. This is followed by swollen salivary glands.
Mumps is no longer very common in the United States, but outbreaks do occur. The best way you can protect yourself and your loved ones is to ensure everyone in your family has received a mumps vaccination. We are asking area providers to screen for mumps whenever it can be suspected.
Zika Has Arrived
In early December, investigators identified 4 suspicious cases of Zika infections. All of these patients currently live in the Brownsville area. These patients did not travel to an area/country that has already been affected by Zika, so further investigation was conducted. Investigators trapped and tested mosquitos in the area and were able to catch some that tested positive for Zika. With this, Texas became only the second state to have locally acquired Zika infections.
Also in December, Hays County was notified of our first positive Zika patient. This patient traveled to Puerto Rico in August, where they contracted the virus. They are no longer contagious, and none of their close contacts or neighbors have reported any signs or symptoms of Zika.
Reportable Conditions Updates
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/default.asp
Please fax reportable conditions to 512-393-5530 Attention “Office of Epidemiology”
Helpful Websites
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/
(Texas Administrative Code)
http://www.co.hays.tx.us/about-us-.aspx
(Health Department Information)
http://www.dshs.texas.gov/idcu/investigation/conditions/
(Notifiable Conditions List 2016)