Latest news with #HoustonHealthDepartment
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
On This Date: Derecho Roars Through Houston One Year Ago With Winds Up To 100 MPH
Houston was hit by a long-lived derecho that swept across the Gulf Coast states one year ago on May 16, contributing to widespread wind damage and knocking out power to about a million homes and businesses. Wind gusts were estimated to have hit 80 to 100 mph in Houston, knocking out windows in high-rise buildings on the western side of downtown, downing trees and damaging roofs and other structures. The squall line then spread destructive winds from southern Louisiana to as far east as coastal southern Alabama and a small part of the Florida Panhandle. Power outages lasted for days in the Houston metro, leaving many without air conditioning amid high temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to mid-90s in the days afterwards. There were 87 heat-related illness incidents reported in the city by the Houston Health Department. Broken glass from skyscrapers caused streets in portions of downtown Houston to be closed for a week, according to the National Weather Service. At least 8 people were killed by the derecho, which also caused $1.2 billion damage, NOAA said. To make matters worse, Houston was hit by damaging winds from Hurricane Beryl less than two months later. Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas measles outbreak: Second child dies from measles-related complications
TEXAS - The second measles death of a Texas child was reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. This comes as an ongoing outbreak of measle cases has been centered in the state's South Plains region. What we know Health officials said the school-aged child who tested positive for measles was hospitalized in Lubbock and passed away on Thursday. The child's doctor described the death from measles pulmonary failure. Officials said the child was not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions. Big picture view As of Friday, April 4, 481 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak since late January. Most of the cases are in children, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Fifty-six people have been hospitalized over the course of the outbreak. What they're saying "We are giving a lot of attention, as we should, to the situation in West Texas as there is a lot of spread of measles, again among almost exclusively unvaccinated people," said Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Department. The death comes less than a week after health officials confirmed a child with measles traveled through Hobby Airport after arriving from Mexico. RELATED: Houston: Measles case confirmed in patient who traveled through Hobby Airport The Houston Health Department said, so far, there have been five measles cases reported in our region. There have been three cases reported in the City of Houston, one case in Harris County, and one case in Fort Bend County. Health officials are urging residents, particularly those with young children, to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. "About 95% of Houstonians, and for the vaccinated folks, they almost have nothing to worry about," said Dr. Persse. RELATED: Measles case reported in Harris County RELATED: Fort Bend County reports first measles case in its area RELATED: Infant measles case confirmed as third in Houston this year, officials say Why you should care The Texas Department of State Health Services describes measles as a highly contagious respiratory illness which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. During a measles outbreak, about one in five children who get sick will need hospital care and one in 20 will develop pneumonia. Rarely, measles can lead to swelling of the brain and death. What they're saying In a statement, UMC Health System in Lubbock said: We are deeply saddened to report that a school-aged child who was recently diagnosed with measles has passed away. The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalized. It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions. This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly for those who are unvaccinated. We encourage all able individuals to stay current with their vaccinations to help protect themselves and the broader community. Mark Funderburk, Chief Executive Officer expressed "On behalf of UMC Health System, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of this child, during this very difficult time." The Source FOX 26 reporter Jade Flury contacted the Houston Health Department and UMC Health System in Lubbock.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Houston Health Department hosting measles vaccination clinic on Saturday
HOUSTON - The Houston Health Department is hosting a measles vaccination clinic on Saturday. What we know According to a news release, the Houston Health Department is taking proactive steps to protect the community from measles by hosting a free vaccination clinic for TVFC (Texas Vaccines for Children) and ASN eligible clients on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Sunnyside Health Center, located at 4410 Reed Road. Those not eligible for TVFC or ASN should reach out to their primary care provider. Officials said as measles cases continue to rise nationwide, the Houston Health Department is urging families to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure they and their loved ones are protected. The vaccination clinic will be open to the public, offering free measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines for eligible individuals. Parents are strongly encouraged to check their children's vaccination status and get them immunized if they have not yet received both recommended doses of the MMR vaccine. What they're saying "Measles is one of the most contagious viruses we face, and it can have serious health consequences, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems," said Dr. David Persse, Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston. "The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination, which is safe, effective, and provides long-term protection." "We want to provide as much information as possible about critical protection," Dr. Persse added. "With measles outbreaks happening in various parts of the country, now is the time to get vaccinated and prevent this highly contagious disease from spreading in our community." CDC Recommendations The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine: • First dose: 12–15 months old • Second dose: 4–6 years old • Infants 6–11 months traveling internationally to areas with a measles outbreak, or after shared decision-making with their provider, can receive one dose of the MMR vaccine followed by the routine two-dose series. Adults born after 1956 who have not been vaccinated or have not had measles should get at least one dose, and high-risk groups may need two doses. What you can do For updates and more information on measles and vaccinations, visit or call (832) 395-9100. The Source Information was provided by a news release from the Houston Health Department.
Axios
26-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
Texas measles outbreak worsens with first death
The measles outbreak in West Texas has surged, causing the first reported measles death in about a decade. State health officials confirmed at least 124 cases across nine counties as of Tuesday since the outbreak began in late January. Why it matters: Health departments in Central Texas are now warning about exposures of the highly contagious disease, signaling the outbreak may be spreading statewide. The latest outbreak is the largest in Texas in 30 years. The big picture: Measles cases have been reported in eight states this year, but most are in Texas, per the CDC. Very few of the reported cases have occurred in people vaccinated against the disease. The latest: Lubbock city officials confirmed Wednesday that an unvaccinated school-age child has died, marking the first reported measles death in the U.S. since 2015. Texas reported 34 more measles cases this week compared with the previous report on Friday. Eighteen patients have been hospitalized, per state health officials. Only five of the patients were known to be vaccinated. The rest were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. Separately, two adult measles cases in Houston were reported in mid-January by the Houston Health Department, which said the infected people lived in the same household and had recently traveled internationally. Those cases are not tied to the recent outbreak that started in West Texas. State of play: An increasing number of Texas parents are opting out of vaccinating their children for personal or religious reasons. In Harris County, 2.9% of kindergartners had a vaccine exemption in the 2022-23 school year, state health department data. Some surrounding counties saw even higher kindergartner exemption rates in the 2022-23 school year: 4.87% in Montgomery County, 4.7% in Austin County, 3.82% in Galveston County, 3.32% in Brazoria County. During the 2023-24 school year, 94.5% of kindergartners and 96.8% of seventh graders in the Houston region had received the MMR vaccine, per Houston Public Media.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2 confirmed cases of measles reported in Texas
The Brief There have been two reported cases of measles in Texas for the first time since 2023 Health officials are urging people to be proactive and be safe AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first cases of measles in the state since 2023. Health officials say those two reported cases are in Houston. There have not been any confirmed cases in Central Texas, but Austin Public Health is asking residents to be proactive. The backstory Measles is a highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly disease. Symptoms develop 7–14 days after infection, according to health officials. "You could experience a very high fever, cough or runny nose, things like that, watery red eyes. A few days later, you'll start to get a rash, and so that rash will start to look like white spots on the inside of your cheeks and then a rash that usually starts on your face and spreads down your body," says Chief State Epidemiologist Varun Shetty. Chief state epidemiologist Varun Shetty says measles is an airborne disease. "Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes. It can stay in a room for up to two hours. Someone could get measles just simply by being in the room where someone who is sick had it. If you are not protected with the vaccine," says Shetty. Why you should care This month, the Houston Health Department identified two cases of measles associated with international travel. Health officials said to prevent the spread of the disease, getting vaccinated is recommended. "Typically, the vaccine that you receive from your doctor is called the MMR vaccine. It stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. It's a two-dose vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are highly effective at protecting against measles. In fact, it prevents 97% of cases of measles," says Shetty. Shetty says if you are not vaccinated, and you are exposed to the disease, take the proper precautions to protect yourself and the public. "The most important thing is to isolate yourself, stay away from other people so you can reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Then we would recommend you to call your doctor on the phone ahead of time and let them know that you're concerned about that so that you can arrange a safe way to get evaluated and get tested and then follow those doctor's instructions," says Shetty. Health officials say those most at risk are pregnant women, children and those with weak immune systems. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Tan Radford
