Public Health Emergency PreparednessPublic Health Emergency Preparedness

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Fort Bend County residents are invited to complete a survey and/or to participate in a virtual Focus Group about the COVID-19 vaccines and Fort Bend County’s outreach and response efforts.  Please consider participating as we are planning the next phase of our response plans.  Your voice is important to us!  (Please note: Only Focus Group contributors will receive a $100 gift card in appreciation for your participation.)

In Texas, everyone over 12 years of age is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, Fort Bend County run COVID-19 vaccine sites(En Español) accept walk-up vaccinations!

Health Alert!

The DSHS has issued a health alert about the improper use of ivermectin. Ivermectin cannot treat viral infections like COVID-19 and can hurt you. https://bit.ly/2URbdtj  If you have concerns about exposure to ivermectin, please call the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222.

CDC 3rd Dose Guidelines (En Español)

Currently, all of our FBC Health & Human Services COVID-19 vaccination clinics are accepting walk-in visits for moderately-to-severely immunocompromised people seeking to receive their 3rd dose of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Moderately to severely immunocompromised people includes those who have:

-Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

-Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

-Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

-Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)

-Advanced or untreated HIV infection

-Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

Minor Consent Form: Click here to get the Minor Consent Form (En Español) if you would like to complete it prior to bringing your child to be vaccinated. All children 12-17 years of age must provide a completed COVID Informed Consent – Minor Form signed by their parent or legal guardian at the vaccination site before they can be vaccinated.  The COVID Informed Consent – Minor Form is also available at each vaccination site to ensure that the child’s parent or legal guardian is able to complete prior to the child being vaccinated.

Please click here to read the Emergency Use Authorization COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheets before getting your vaccine.

Community Use of Cloth Masks Help Control the Spread of COVID-19

HHS:   Vaccination Hotline (for questions only) 832-471-1373

HHAN Alert- Case of Measles at Hobby Airport in Houston

Houston Area Health Alert Network 

Case of Measles at Hobby Airport in Houston – September 4, 2018

**Please distribute this information to all appropriate colleagues**

HHAN_Measles_09-04-18

The Houston Health Department was recently notified that someone with measles traveled through Hobby Airport in Houston during a period in which he was contagious on 8/21/2018 and 8/22/2018. The traveler did not visit restaurants or other venues while at Hobby Airport, and he did not leave Hobby Airport between connecting flights. However, he was in the waiting areas at the terminal at Hobby Airport for approximately one hour each day between his connecting flights.

The Houston Health Department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and local health departments to directly contact passengers traveling on the same flight as the traveler with measles.

This alert is to notify providers that persons in contact with the traveler may have a risk of developing measles. Symptoms may appear at any time up to September 12, 2018.

The Houston Health Department is investigating another case of measles in Houston. (A HAN alert was sent on 8/29/18). Based on information obtained thus far, there is no discernible common exposure or epidemiological link between the two measles cases.

Healthcare providers are again requested to aid in this investigation by considering measles when evaluating febrile rash illnesses and by reporting suspected measles cases promptly to their local health department. By Texas statute, suspected measles is to be reported immediately.

The clinical case definition for measles is an illness characterized by all of the following:

  • Generalized maculopapular rash lasting 3 or more days
  • Temperature greater than or equal to 101°F (38.3°C)
  • Cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis

Measles cases may present with a nonspecific febrile illness before onset of the characteristic rash. The incubation period for measles is generally 14 days from exposure to rash; however, it can range from 7-18 days. Measles is highly communicable, with >90% secondary attack rate among susceptible persons . Measles may be transmitted from 4 days prior to 4 days after rash onset. Measles can occur in previously immunized individuals

It is imperative that measles cases be reported immediately. Healthcare providers must report cases to their local health department as soon as measles is suspected. Health departments will assist with appropriate shipment and testing of specimens.

The Texas Department of State Health Services laboratory in Austin can conduct measles testing:

  • A blood specimen for serology and throat swab for viral culture or PCR should be collected at the first contact with a suspected measles case. Currently PCR testing is only available through public health laboratories. Local health departments can help to coordinate testing.

Again, you are asked to consider measles when evaluating febrile rash illnesses and to report any suspect measles cases to your local health department immediately.

HOUSTON AREA HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
Harris County Public Health Houston Health Department
Telephone: (713) 439-6000 Telephone: (832) 393-5080 24 hr. #
Fax: (713) 439-6306 Fax: (832) 393-5232
After Hours: (713) 755-5000 www.houstontx.gov/health/index.html
www.hcphes.org
Texas Department of State Health Services Galveston County Health District
Health Service Region 6/5 South Telephone: (409) 938-2322
Telephone: (713) 767-3000 Fax: (409) 938-2399
Fax: (713) 767-3006 After hours: (888) 241-0442
After hours: (800) 270-3128 www.gchd.org
www.dshs.state.tx.us/region6-5/default.shtm
Montgomery County Public Health Department Fort Bend County Health and Human Services
Telephone: (936) 523-5026 Telephone: (281) 342-6414
Fax: (936) 539-9272 Fax: (281) 342-7371
After hours: (888) 825-9754 After hours: (281) 434-6494
www.mchd-tx.org/publichealth www.fbchealth.org
Brazoria County Health Department
Telephone: (979) 864-1166
Fax: (979) 864-3955
After hours: (800) 511-1632
www.publichealthmatters.net