Author: City Administrator
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)
Hays County Press Release Zika Case Poses No Danger to Residents
Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Local Health Department has received confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a local, travel-associated case of Zika virus infection in Hays County. The individual, who is not contagious and does not pose a risk to Hays County residents, contracted the illness while traveling to Puerto Rico in August 2016.
The mosquito that carries Zika is native to Central Texas. Zika virus is transmitted to persons primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes species, which can also transmit West Nile virus, dengue fever and chikungunya virus). The Aedes mosquitos are aggressive daytime biters and are located near populated areas.
The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is typically mild and lasts about one week. During that time, a mosquito that bites an infected person can carry the virus to the next person it bites, so it is critical to follow your health care provider’s recommendation to reduce exposure to others.
Preventative measures residents can take to avoid mosquito bites include:
- Draining any water around their property (mosquitos can breed in as little as a
bottle cap full of water) - Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants
- Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of
lemon eucalyptus (follow directions closely)
Travel Precautions in Texas
On December 14, 2016, CDC issued guidance related to Zika for people living in or traveling to Brownsville, Cameron County, TX. On November 28, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the state’s first case of local mosquito-borne Zika virus infection in Brownsville. Additional cases of mosquito-borne Zika have been identified in the area, suggesting that there is a risk of continued spread of Zika virus in Brownsville, TX.
On January 22, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted interim guidelines for health care providers in the United States caring for pregnant women during a Zika virus outbreak. Zika infection in pregnant women may be associated with congenital microcephaly and fetal loss. Guillain-Barre syndrome has also been reported in patients after suspected Zika infection. CDC is recommending that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. A link to the guidance can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6502e1.htm. Persons with suspected infections should also be evaluated and managed for possible dengue and chikungunya virus. Aspirin and other NSAID’s should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.
The Hays County Epidemiology Team continues to remind local health care providers and partner organizations to be aware of Zika as they see patients and to ask about travel history. The County works with providers to help them assess the need for laboratory testing and facilitate testing from the State Health Department lab in Austin.
Hays County encourages people to follow travel precautions and avoid mosquito bites. The Zika virus has been declared an emerging public health threat by the World Health Organization. For more information about the Zika virus, visit www.TexasZika.org and http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ and for information about the Hays County Mosquito Surveillance Program visit Fight the Bite.
2016 CDBG Water Improvements Project #7216461
This is to give notice that the City of Uhland has determined that the following proposed action under the Texas Department of Agriculture Community Development Program, Contract Number 7216461, is partially located in the 100-year floodplain. The City will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management.
Project Description: The City, in conjunction with County Line Special Utility District, will ensure the city’s residents of a reliable and constant potable water service at adequate pressures and flow rates. Construction will include the installation of 4,000 l.f. of 12” water line, 3 fire hydrants, 8 gate valves, 15 customer transfers and associated appurtenances. Approximately 0.04 acres of the project activities are located in Zone A of the 100-year floodplain on Cotton Gin Road at Plum Creek Road. This acreage is already geographically located in the floodplain. There will be no adverse effect on the floodplain. There are no practical alternatives.
The proposed project is located on Cotton Gin Road, from Hwy 21 to Plum Creek Road, Uhland, Hays County, TX 78640.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the City of Uhland at the following address on or before 1/2/17:
City of Uhland, 15 N. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland, TX 78640, Attention: Vicki Hunter, Mayor Pro-Tem.
Date: 12/18/16
Para más información en español, comuníquese con Karen Gallaher al (512) 398-7399.