Epidemiology
Ector County Health Department actively conducts disease surveillance and investigates suspected occurrences of infectious disease and notifiable conditions reported by physicians, hospitals, laboratories, schools and other community partners.
Several Texas laws (Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84 and 87) require that specific information regarding certain diseases or injuries be provided to the health department (state, regional or local). These diseases and injuries are known as “notifiable conditions.”
Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code)
These conditions should be reported to Ector County Health Department, which investigates each case and then forwards completed cases to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Infectious Disease Control Unit.
Disease Reporting Requirements
Notifiable conditions
Reporting Forms
Notifiable conditions and other health concerns can be reported to our 24/7 Line (432) 967-1996 or by Fax (432) 617-8431
Disease Data
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Streptococcal Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Ector County Health Department
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Ector County
Zika Virus Information
Zika virus is a disease spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically, Aedes species mosquito. These are the same mosquitoes that spread other viruses such as dengue and chikungunya.
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and death is rare. During pregnancy, Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Though Zika is primarily a mosquito-borne virus, spread of the virus through sexual contact has also been reported. If individuals have traveled to Zika-infected areas and suspect they have become infected with the virus, it is recommended that they use safe-sex practices and notify their healthcare provider for further evaluation.
While autumn is fast approaching, mosquitoes that can transmit diseases like Zika are expected to be active through the end of October. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus. Your best protection to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito breeding and protect yourself from mosquito bites. Visit TexasZika.org for ways to prevent Zika.
Zika Virus 101
Zika Guidance for Providers
Tools for healthcare providers:
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/index.html
Zika testing criteria information:
http://www.texaszika.org/docs/DSHS-Chik-Den-Zika-Serology-and-PCR-specimens.pdf
Forms required for testing:
http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/G-2VSample.pdf
www.texaszika.org/docs/DSHS-Chik-Den-Zika-Supplemental-Form.pdf