Emergency Preparation Key as 2023 Hurricane Season Approaches

May 23, 2023 - The 2023 Hurricane Season officially begins June 1, and the Texas Department of State Health Services urges all Texans to prepare now before any Gulf storm threatens our state. The first step is to make a plan.

“Hurricane season is fast approaching, so now is a great time to make sure that your family has an up-to-date plan,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH. “Every family has its own unique needs that change over time. That is why it is important that every family or household make their own severe weather plan and know it well.”

Texas Reports Year's First West Nile Case

July 27, 2021 - Public health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of illness caused by West Nile virus in 2021. The disease case, reported by Dallas County Health and Human Services, occurred in a resident of Dallas County.

Child Flu Deaths Highlight the Need for Immunization

December 30, 2019 - The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed that six children have died in Texas of flu-related causes since the flu season started at the end of September. Health officials recommend that everyone 6 months old and older get vaccinated now to prevent flu and its potentially devastating effects.

Warm, Wet Weather Heightens West Nile Concern in Texas

May 23, 2019 - A mild winter, even by Texas standards, means public health officials are on guard for a possible increase in West Nile virus cases this year. Research shows that warmer winter temperatures are associated with more West Nile cases the following summer. Plus, heavy and widespread rain across Texas this spring has left behind standing water that provides mosquitoes ample breeding ground to multiply and spread their misery.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself now and throughout mosquito season:

Texas Urges Health Precautions for Residents Affected by Hurricane Harvey

August 30, 2017 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is issuing the following health precautions for people experiencing flooding and power outages in Southeast Texas and beginning recovery from Hurricane Harvey along the middle Texas coast.

People should follow all local drinking water safety notices and throw out food that may have spoiled or been contaminated. Because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gasoline-powered generators should not be used indoors.

Texas Alerts Providers, Public about Mumps as Cases Reach 20-year High

Cases include spring break travelers to South Padre Island

State Health Officials Urge Zika Testing in Rio Grande Valley

October 3, 2016 - The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a health alert encouraging health care providers in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata counties to consider Zika virus infection in their patients and order testing as medically indicated.

DSHS Issues Revised Fish Consumption Advisory for Ellison Creek Reservoir

September 29, 2016 - The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a revised fish consumption advisory for Ellison Creek Reservoir, also known as Lone Star Lake, due to unsafe levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.

Do Not Delay, Get Your Flu Shot Before Flu Season Strikes

September 29, 2016 - With flu season just around the corner, health officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services urge everyone 6 months old and older to get vaccinated to protect themselves from getting the flu.

“I’m asking people to get immunized now because it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “Getting the flu shot every year offers the best protection against getting sick with the flu.”

DSHS Offers PAM Precautions

July 15, 2016 - The Texas Department of State Health Services is reminding swimmers and water skiers to take precautions to avoid infection from Naegleria fowleri, an ameba present in nearly all rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. The ameba can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, an infection of the brain. Although infection is extremely rare, it is almost always fatal.

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