Latest news with #PublicHealthDistrict
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Second case of measles confirmed in McLennan County
WACO, TEXAS (FOX 44) – A second case of measles has been confirmed in McLennan County. The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District says this case is a minor who is unvaccinated, and has been identified as a household contact of the initial confirmed case. Both individuals are currently recovering at home under isolation. There are no reported local public exposures related to this case. The patient was tested at aCentral Texas medical facility where infection control protocols were implemented. Health officials continue to closely monitor the situation. The Public Health District says measles is a highly contagious virus which can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. People who are infected will begin to have symptoms within a week or two after being exposed. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat with some raised bumps, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. PREVIOUS STORY: Health District confirms measles case in McLennan County The Public Health District says a person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People who could have measles should stay home during that period. The Public Health District says it conducts contact tracing for all exposed individuals once a person tests positive and coordinates with healthcare providers to monitor and manage the situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to: Check their vaccination status and ensure they are up to date with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. Monitor for symptoms if they have been in contact with an infected individual. Seek medical care if symptoms develop but call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility toprevent potential exposure to others. The Public Health District says the most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective in protecting against the virus. If a person is exposed to measles and has not had the necessary doses of MMR according to their age, they may be vaccinated up to 72 hours after the initial exposure. If a person has never been vaccinated against the measles, a single does can provide 93 percent protection from measles. Individuals needing an MMR vaccination should consult their healthcare provider or visit the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District's Immunization Clinic. MMR vaccines are available at the Health District Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with no appointment necessary. For more information about the Public Health District, you can visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls hosts free classes for Stress Awareness Month
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The Wichita Falls – Wichita County Public Health District will offer stress management classes in honor of National Stress Awareness Month. The classes will be held at the Health District, located at 1700 3rd St, on both Thursday, April 24, and Wednesday, April 30, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and are free of charge. Help those in need in Texoma's Largest Baby Shower Each class is designed to increase knowledge, skill sets, and overall well-being, and to help attendees take practical steps to manage the stress in their lives. Attendees will also learn how to cope with the impact of stress and make positive lifestyle changes at any stage of life. April has been marked as National Stress Awareness Month since 1992. Common issues related to stress include headaches, stomach disorders, anxiety/depression, stroke and heart disease. Registration can be done online or by calling (940) 761-7699. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Register for free Basic Nutrition Class this National Nutrition Month
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — If you're hoping to get your health in check this National Nutrition Month, the Public Health District is hosting a free class. On Wednesday, March 12, you are invited to a free Basic Nutrition Class at the Martin Luther King Center. It'll be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 1100 Smith St. To register, visit the Public Health District's website. For more information, call (940) 761-7800. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls' Play Well program honored for promoting youth wellness
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — On February 20, the annual Texas Association of City and County Health Officials conference, held in College Station, honored a local program through the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District. The Play Well program was designed and championed by program manager Alexandra Henriquez and community partner Ronnie Williams, the Chief Operating Officer of All Hands Cultural Community Center. Junior League of Wichita Falls Food Fight 2025 The Play Well program teaches children about health and wellness through interactive classes and activities. It comprises a cross-section of programs geared toward school-age children. While it is unique, it can be replicated in other communities across the state. Staff from many programs, as well as community partners, have teamed up to implement the program. It is promoted to schools, after-school programs, and summer camps and can be customized based on their needs and resources. Play Well has been widely accepted in Wichita County and implemented at all Boys and Girls Club locations in Wichita Falls, as well as several schools in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett. For more information on Play Well, call Alexandra Henriquez at 940-761-7918 or visitthem online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
18-02-2025
- Health
- CNN
West Texas measles outbreak grows to 58 cases, including some people who said they were vaccinated
The number of measles cases linked to an outbreak in West Texas has grown to 58, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Most of the cases are centered in Gaines County, which is reporting 45 cases. Other surrounding areas are seeing spread of the illness too, with 9 cases in Terry County, two in Yoakum County, one in Lynn County and one in Lubbock County. The cases are mostly in children ages 5 to 17. Although most of the cases are in unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination status is unknown, there were four cases of measles in people who said they had been vaccinated. No other details were immediately available about those four people. In all of the cases, symptoms began in the past three weeks. Thirteen of the people have been hospitalized. Local health departments in West Texas are hosting free vaccination clinics for the community. There have been at least 95 measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations at a clinic hosted by the South Plains Public Health District, which includes Gaines County, according to Zach Holbrooks, the health district's executive director. The clinic recently expanded its hours to be open seven days a week for vaccinations. Given how contagious measles is, health officials warn that cases may continue to rise in the area. Measles is an airborne illness that can cause rash, fever, red eyes and cough. Severe cases can result in blindness, pneumonia or encephalitis, swelling of the brain. In some cases, the illness can be fatal. Coverage of the MMR vaccine is particularly low in Gaines County, where nearly 1 in 5 incoming kindergartners in the 2023-24 school year did not get the vaccine. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. Other affected Texas counties also fall below the goal that at least 95% of children in kindergarten will have gotten two doses of the MMR vaccine, a threshold set by the US Department of Health and Human Services to help prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease. Lynn, Lubbock and Yoakum counties all stand around 92%, according to data from the Texas Department of Health. The US has now fallen short of that threshold for four years in a row. Eight cases of measles have also been detected in Lea County, New Mexico, which borders Gaines County, Texas, the New Mexico Department of Health said. The agency has not confirmed any direct contact with the Texas cases. The five newest cases, reported Tuesday, are in a single family that is isolating. Of the eight total cases in Lea County, six are in unvaccinated people. The other two people believe they were vaccinated, according to Robert Nott, the state health department communications director. None of the eight has been hospitalized. The New Mexico health department is also holding free vaccination clinics for Lea County. There were 285 measles cases reported in the US last year, the most since 2019, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that the four Texas patients who were vaccinated self-reported their status, according to the state health department.
