Infectious Disease

Soccer fans from around the world will be coming to North Texas this month for the FIFA World Cup. Local health leaders have been preparing for the influx of people for about a year and a half. Hospital and public health officials say what they’re doing hasn’t changed much, but how they do it has.

The Department of State Health Services said it was notified two Texans were on the MV Hondius but "did not have any contact with a sick person while aboard the ship."

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, activity is higher than it was at the same time last year. Texas is extending access to immunizations for infants and toddlers until the end of the month in response to "persistent" infections.

Just one year after the worst measles outbreak in the country began in West Texas, public health officials said the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status. Public health leaders from North Texas and Lubbock warn declining vaccination rates could increase risk of future measles outbreaks.

Public health officials warn law enforcement and border patrol activity are discouraging people from getting vaccines and other types of preventive health care. A North Texas health leader was among the officials who highlighted the issue.

Cold and flu season typically happen during the fall and winter. Though it comes around every year, there's still a lot of confusion about viruses, vaccines and how to avoid getting sick. Experts and providers offer advice heading into the holiday season.

This year’s respiratory virus season comes with some unique challenges. Experts and providers say they’re worried about how misinformation and confusion about new federal COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will affect vaccination rates, which could lead to more infections and severe health outcomes.

Researchers hope data out of Texas will raise awareness about a type of infection commonly spread through kissing bugs. It’s part of an effort to recognize Chagas Disease as endemic in the U.S.

Inconsistent financial help could potentially burden Dallas County taxpayers with an estimated nearly $383 million per year for HIV prevention and treatment costs.

Nimbus, the new COVID-19 variant, has caused an uptick in cases, while federal funding cuts have forced Dallas County to lay off staff and hold fewer vaccination clinics.

Dairy farmers and veterinarians in northern Texas furiously investigated a mysterious illness among cattle before the government got involved. Farm cat deaths were the tip off.

There are more than 700 reported cases of the virus in Texas with dozens more “presumptive cases.” Local officials said more vaccines should be headed to the state following a declaration by the White House that the virus is now a public health emergency.