Texas Insider Report: AUSTINTexas With mosquito season upon us and the potential for an increase in the number of Zika virus cases in the state of Texas I called for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to hold an expedited hearing on how Texas can respond to this growing threat.
The committee recently heard from some of the best minds at the state and local levels on the Zika response. Texas is examining mosquito protection measures including ways to help eliminate mosquito habitats in homes and necessary testing as appropriate.
Invited testimony included experts from the following institutes:
- Dr. John Hellerstedt Commissioner Department of State Health Services
- Dr. Peter Hotez Dean of the Baylor College of Medicine National School of Tropical Medicine
- Dr. Scott Lillibridge Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Texas A&M University
- Dr. Carey Eppes Assistant Professor Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Obstetrical Quality and Safety Ben Taub Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Dr. Umair Shah Executive Director Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services
- Eduardo Olivarez Chief Administrative Officer Hidalgo County Health Department
- Zachary S. Thompson Director Dallas County Health and Human Services
I want to thank Senate Chair Charles Schwertner and committee members for leading the first hearing on virus transmission prevention and mosquito control efforts. Texas will continue to respond to this public health threat.
More information on the Zika virus is available at www.texaszika.org .
