Cameron County (Texas)

Department of Health and Human

Services

Public Health
Communication

Presenter: Fidel J. Calvillo,

Public Health Response Program Director
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Our Jurisdiction…

Cameron County
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Local Communication- Disease
Reporting
 Clinics and Hospitals notify County or City Health
Departments for a reportable communicable
disease or person(s) exposed to a chemical,
radiological, or nuclear contaminates.
 Local Health Departments report the information
to the Texas Department of State Health Services
Region (11).
 The event can be a local and response is local.

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Local Communication- Disease
Reporting
 Local Health Departments will continue to
monitor and send alerts to clinics, hospitals,
and neighboring counties.
 If the situation becomes larger, additional
support will be requested.
 Examples- TB Response, Hurricane Dolly,
and H1N1 Response.

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Local Communication–
Reporting other than Diseases
 A chemical, radiological, nuclear, and
bioterrorist agent identified at a local hospital
or clinic, our local Emergency Management
Coordinator (EMC) will be notified by the
Local Health Department.
 EMC will follow their process and
procedures- contacting local, State, and
Federal law enforcement agencies.

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How does Public Health work
during a Binational Response?
 Texas Department of State Health Services –
Early Warning Infectious Disease
Surveillance (EWIDS).
 Binational Program for disease surveillance
and information exchange.
 Disease Information on status quo between
Mexico and U.S. Provides situational
awareness to be on alert.

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Public Health Support

 Work with local city or County EMC to

provide assistance for an evacuation,
sheltering, and feeding of individuals effected
by the event.
 Collaborate with volunteer agencies-
American Red Cross to provide additional
support for shelter management.
Salvation Army to provide feeding for
individuals.
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For more information, please
contact:

Cameron County
Department of Health and Human Services
(956) 247-3685
www.co.cameron.tx.us/Health/index.html

Fidel.Calvillo@talho.org