DSHS Press Release

Texas Investigates Case of COVID-19 without Travel or Known Exposure

March 11, 2020 - Public health officials in Texas are investigating a case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, in a Montgomery County resident with no out-of-state travel and no identified contact with another person with COVID-19. Montgomery County Public Health continues to work to determine whether there is a connection to another case or whether this is a case of community spread. Community spread occurs when a person contracts an illness from an unknown source.

Texas Reports Additional Travel-related Cases of COVID-19

March 6, 2020 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting four additional travel-related cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, bringing the state total to five. Harris County Public Health and the Houston Health Department announced four cases on Thursday, March 5 in residents of Harris County who had recently traveled abroad. The first Texas case was announced by Fort Bend County Health and Human Services on March 4.

DSHS announces first case of COVID-19 in Texas

Travel-related case in Fort Bend County

March 5, 2020 - The Texas Department of State Health Services and Fort Bend County Health and Human Services are reporting the first positive test result for COVID-19 in Texas outside of the passengers returned under federal quarantine from Wuhan City, China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The patient is a resident of Fort Bend County who recently returned from travel abroad and is currently isolated in the hospital.

Rabid Cow at San Antonio Stock Show, Rodeo Prompts Warning

February 29, 2020 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is notifying people who visited the cattle barn at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 11-14 that they may need to be assessed for a possible rabies exposure. A cow in the cattle barn developed rabies and was capable of spreading the virus that causes it during those dates. The solid black cow, a Brangus heifer, was being shown by a student from the Miller Grove ISD in Hopkins County.

DSHS Reminds Texans Engaged in Outdoor Activities to Take Safety Precautions

November 4, 2019 - As deer hunting season begins, the Texas Department of State Health Services reminds Texans to take precautions to protect themselves from serious diseases transmitted by animals.

Syphilis in Babies Highlights Importance of Prenatal Care, Timely Testing, Treatment

New state law requires additional test during pregnancy

October 4, 2019 - Texas public health officials are reminding health care professionals about a new law increasing syphilis testing during pregnancy. Texas law now mandates three syphilis tests: at the first prenatal exam, during the third trimester, and at delivery. The new requirement took effect last month and comes as the state has seen a sharp increase in the number of syphilis infections passed from mother to child.

Texas Reports Year’s First West Nile Case

August 14, 2019 - Texas health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of illness caused by West Nile virus in 2019. The disease case, reported by the El Paso Department of Public Health, occurred in July in an adult resident of El Paso County. Additional cases reported by El Paso are likely to add to the total once they are reviewed by the state.

Get “Texas Ready” for Hurricanes, Other Disasters

Preparedness effort aimed at being ready before disaster strikes

July 8, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is urging everyone to get ahead of what’s ahead by being Texas Ready for natural and manmade disasters. The new preparedness effort highlights the importance of three simple steps: be informed, make a plan, build a kit.

DSHS Reminds Texans to Avoid Sick, Dead Wildlife

June 28, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is sharing steps people can take to protect against naturally-occurring anthrax. Eighteen recent animal deaths in Uvalde County, including two confirmed anthrax cases, have prompted the advice.

Anthrax is caused by spore-forming bacteria commonly found in the soil in southern and southwestern Texas. Deer, sheep, goats, cattle, horses and other animals can contract anthrax when they swallow or inhale anthrax spores while grazing. Animals usually die within two days of showing signs of infection.

Texas Reports 10 Measles Cases for 2019

March 7, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is now reporting 10 measles cases in the state in 2019, one more than Texas saw all of last year. The 10th case is in an adult traveler visiting Guadalupe County from the Philippines, where there is an ongoing measles outbreak. DSHS is reminding people what they can do to prevent the disease from spreading.

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