An adult with various severe illnesses who was also presumptive positive for monkeypox died on August 28, 2022, at a Harris County hospital. At this time, the patient’s cause of death is unknown. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is collaborating with partners to determine what role, if any, monkeypox may have played in this person’s death. An autopsy is in process, and the final report will be available in the next few weeks. “We are sharing this information […]
monkeypox
Harris County Expands Vaccine Eligibility as Monkeypox Cases Continue to Spread
Judge Lina Hidalgo today announced Houston/Harris County will expand eligibility criteria to include HIV+ individuals and those diagnosed with Chlamydia. Previously, vaccines were available to individuals in direct contact with someone who had contracted Monkeypox, attended an event where there was a high risk of exposure, were currently on PrEP medication, or diagnosed with gonorrhea or early syphilis within the past three months. “The most powerful tool is prevention, and we accomplish that through vaccination […]
Harris County Public Health Continues Distribution of Limited Monkeypox Vaccines
Harris County and The City of Houston continue efforts to ramp-up vaccination availability by sending joint letter to CDC requesting additional doses In a joint letter (attached) sent today, Judge Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner have requested additional Monkeypox vaccine doses from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are eager and ready to vaccinate at-risk populations before the virus spreads exponentially, rather than wait for exponential growth and then catch up like other […]
Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner Provide Latest on Monkeypox Virus
Monday, July 25, 2022, Judge Lina Hidalgo, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Dr. Vandana Shrikanth, experts from Legacy Community Health, and public health officials today held an update on Monkeypox to share the latest information regarding cases in Harris County and Houston. In addition, Hidalgo and Turner presented a response and preparedness plan. “Today’s conversation was about working together to chart a different path. Together, we can get ahead of this virus.–It’s not the time for fear, […]
Harris County Public Health Confirms First Monkeypox Case
As of June 18, 2022; the CDC has confirmed three cases in Texas and 114 in the nation Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has just confirmed its first case of monkeypox in the County this afternoon from an out-of-state resident. This person has since left the County and returned to their state of residence. HCPH case investigation team is working with the individual to identify others who may have been exposed. This news comes shortly […]