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Galveston County Health District Confirms First Positive Case of Avian Influenza in Texas City

Galveston County Health District (GCHD) has confirmed the first positive case of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Galveston County. The case was identified in a bird found in Texas City on 12/5. The bird, reported to Texas City Animal Control by a resident who observed erratic behavior, was collected by Animal Control Officers and transported to the Animal Resource Center. The bird died shortly after arrival and was sent to the Department of State Health Services in Austin, where testing confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza (H5N1). 

Avian Influenza, commonly referred to as “bird flu,” is a viral infection that primarily spreads among birds but can occasionally infect humans and other animals. Influenza A (H5N1), the most common strain affecting humans, can cause severe respiratory symptoms. While the virus is widespread among wild birds globally, it has also caused outbreaks in poultry and, more recently, cases in U.S. dairy workers. 

The virus can be transmitted to humans in two primary ways: 


* Direct exposure to infected birds or environments contaminated by Avian Influenza A viruses.
* Via an intermediate host, such as another animal species. 

Signs and symptoms of Avian Influenza in humans may include: 


* Fever (100°F or higher) or chills
* Cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing
* Eye irritation or conjunctivitis
* Muscle aches, headaches, runny nose, or diarrhea
* Note: Fever may not always be present 

Following the confirmed case in the bird, two Texas City Animal Control Officers who responded to the incident started experiencing symptoms. Initial rapid tests conducted by GCHD returned negative results for H5N1, with confirmatory testing by the Houston Laboratory Regional Network also confirming negative results.  

Two additional staff members from the Galveston County Animal Resource Center, who were potentially exposed, are currently being monitored for symptoms. At this time, no symptoms have been reported. 

The Galveston County Health District reminds residents to exercise caution when handling sick or dead birds. If you encounter a sick or dead bird, contact your local health department or wildlife agency for guidance on collection and testing. Individuals who experience any symptoms within 10 days of exposure to an infected animal should immediately contact their healthcare provider or local health department. Testing and isolation may be recommended based on the level of exposure. 

Bird Flu AVian Influenza Fact Sheet
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GCHD Publishes New Community Health Needs Assessment Report 

Galveston County Health District (GCHD) conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to better understand and address Galveston County’s unique needs. The goal of the CHNA is to both investigate the health needs in Galveston County, as well as devise a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) with actionable measures to improve community health.

GCHD worked with specific community partners in The Health Equity Advisory Council to develop and distribute this survey. Galveston County’s Community Health Assessment survey combined with secondary data sources highlighted community health concerns and the factors that impact health. Galveston County residents are seeking better options to improve their health and the health of those around them and GCHD aims to support better health outcomes.

GCHD will continue to monitor and improve survey collection data and use the findings to inform Community Health Improvement Projects, the Strategic Health Plan, programs, and initiatives to promote and protect the health of Galveston County.

Read the full CHNA report here. [ [link removed] ]

Community Health Needs Assessment Report Available Now [ [link removed] ]
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Meet the Team Shout Outs

Meet the team! Every week an employee from GCHD is highlighted on all platforms.

Christopher Reitmeyer headshot

*Meet Christopher Reitmeyer! *

Christopher is a Paramedic for the Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (GAAA). He joined us seven months ago, and has been working in the EMS field for 2 years. He loves college football. It’s the best time of the year.

Where are you from?
"Galveston"

What is your favorite part of your job?
"Meeting people and trying to make a positive impact on a very terrible day."

What is one fun fact about you?
"I will never turn down Mexican food."

You apply to be a part of The Avengers but are rejected because your superpower is kind of boring. What is it? "Teleportation but only two feet away"

We asked Christopher what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. This is what he said, "In a medical emergency, we are bound by law to not bypass a facility of higher care for another facility based on patient preference."

 



Cindy McDade

*Meet Cindy McDade!*

Cindy is the Contract Administrator for Galveston County Health District (GCHD). She joined the GCHD team almost two years ago and has been working in her field for twenty years.

Where are you from?
"New Orleans, Louisiana."

What is your favorite part of your job?
"The broad range of ongoing tasks, helping the organization minimize risk that can be harmful to the organization. But my number one favorite part of my job is being part of a supportive and positive work environment."

What is one fun fact about you?
"I am a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, and if you come to my house and you are not a fan, you will be required to cheer for the Cowboys and wear team gear while the game is on, which I do have on hand if you didn't bring your own."

If you had to choose an animal to be your life coach, which animal would it be and why?
"I would choose the Wolf because they are smart, strong, social, and always ready to protect their pack."

We asked Cindy what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "The Purchasing department is a critical function that plays a key role in ensuring that the organization has the supplies and equipment they need to deliver high-quality care to our patients."

 



Lynita Dupree

*Meet Lynita Dupree!*

Lynita is a Health Information Specialist III for Coastal Health & Wellness, a Community Health Center under GCHD. She joined us around 14 years ago. She has been working in her field for 13 1/2 years.

Where are you from?
"West Texas City"

What is your favorite part of your job?
"I love assisting people. I am always willing to help. I also love that we have a great Team; we work well together and help each other in any situation."

What is one fun fact about you?
"I love to cook. I won 1st place in the Best Dip and Best Soup contest we had here years ago. I love watching reality TV shows, and I spend a lot of time on Facebook and YouTube following content creators' daily lives."

What skill or hobby are you working on or would you like to learn?
"I am working on better health by eating well and exercising."

We asked Lynita what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "HIM is fast-paced and never-ending. Other than scanning records in charts, HIM staff maintain compliance with HIPPA and state regulations when releasing a patient's medical record. We release to many different requesters for various reasons. Besides releasing to the patients themselves or their delegates, HIM releases to Social Security for disability claims, insurance payors for audit purposes, Adult and Child Protective Services, law firms, life insurance companies, and the courts via a Subpoena or Court Order signed by a judge. This is to name a few. There is much more that we do."

 



Sylar Rocha

*Meet Sylar Rocha!*

Sylar is the Supervisor/Nutritionist for Galveston County Health District (GCHD). She joined the GCHD team two years ago and has been working in her field since.

Where are you from?
"Houston."

What is your favorite part of your job?
"All the different people you get to meet with such different backgrounds."

What is one fun fact about you?
"I performed in the Superbowl halftime performance in 2017."

If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
"Sushi!"

We asked Sylar what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "We cater to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding moms as well as children up to the age of 5. We provide nutrition and breastfeeding education to our clients and help supply them with grocery benefits. If you have Medicaid or food stamps you automatically qualify."



Alexis Zafereo

*Meet Alexis Zafereo!*

Alexis is a Site Supervisor/Nutritionist for Galveston County Health District (GCHD). She joined the GCHD team five months ago and has worked in her field for six years.

Where are you from?
"Deer Park, TX."

What is your favorite part of your job?
"I love providing nutrition education to our WIC participants."

What is one fun fact about you?
"My favorite TV show is Scooby Doo."

What fictional family would you most like to join and why?
"I would love to join the Simpsons family since they never age."

We asked Alexis what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "Benefits are given to women that are pregnant, post-partum, and children up to the age of 5!"



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Galveston Area Ambulance Authority Launches RIGHTCARE Partnership to Enhance Senior Safety

Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (GAAA) has teamed up with local community organizations to launch the RIGHTCARE partnership, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance senior safety and reduce emergencies through proactive measures.

Unlike traditional emergency response strategies, the RIGHTCARE partnership focuses on prevention, addressing risks before they escalate into crises. By prioritizing proactive safety measures, this innovative approach aims to improve the overall well-being of seniors while alleviating the demand for emergency services.

"RIGHTCARE is about going beyond responding to emergencies. It's about working with our community partners to ensure seniors feel safer, healthier, and more secure in their daily lives," said Amy Weber, Chief of EMS.

The RIGHTCARE program builds on 20 years of research and leverages partnerships with churches, healthcare providers, EMS, fire departments, and senior care organizations. At no cost to Galveston County residents, specially trained care advocates offer personalized visits to assess potential challenges or risks and develop collaborative plans to support seniors in living safely and successfully at home. The program emphasizes reducing falls, improving medication management, and enhancing quality of life for seniors.

The involvement of local community organizations is pivotal to the program’s success. By leveraging these partnerships, RIGHTCARE extends its impact, enabling a comprehensive approach to addressing senior safety concerns across the region.

The ultimate goal of RIGHTCARE is clear: to create a safer community for seniors by reducing emergency situations. This initiative enhances quality of life for the aging population by implementing strategies to minimize risks while simultaneously easing the workload of emergency responders.

To learn more, watch the video. [ [link removed] ]

RIGHTCARE foundation logo [ [link removed] ]
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Public Health Team Joins Inaugural Texas HIV/STI Conference in Austin to Address Health Disparities and Foster Collaboration

Our public health team was privileged to attend the first-ever Texas HIV/STI Conference in Austin, Texas.

The 2024 Texas HIV/STI Conference aimed to create opportunities to share information and efforts around health disparities that impact communities at risk of and affected by HIV and STIs by bridging the varied disciplines of education, advocacy, and clinical care. Featured tracks at the conference included HIV Care Services, PrEP and Harm Reduction, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis. 

Group of people sitting at table at the Texas HIV STI Conference 2024
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*Paws-itively Awesome: Galveston County Animal Resource Center & Houston Humane Society Team Up for a Heartwarming Pet Food Pantry Event*

On November 26 and December 5, the Galveston County Animal Resource Center (ARC) and the Houston Humane Society joined forces to host incredible Pet Food Pantry events at the Galveston County Health District in Texas City. These events were huge successes, offering free pet food to families in need.

The impact was truly remarkable. On November 26, the event served 64 households, providing 3,000 pounds of food and feeding 343 pets, resulting in 9,600 meals. Just over a week later, the December 5 event surpassed those numbers, with 101 households served, 5,780 pounds of food given away, and 596 pets fed, providing a total of 18,496 meals.

The next Pet Food Pantry event is scheduled for January 8, starting at 9 a.m. at the Galveston County Health District, 9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expy, Texas City. Please note this is a first-come, first-serve event. Food pickup with be done in a drive-thru manner. When you arrive, please look for the signs and pull into the back of the line of cars in the parking lot. 

Pet Food Pantry Event photo collage
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Galveston County Animal Resource Center Hosts Thanksgiving Feast for 200+ Animals

On Tuesday, November 26, Galveston County Animal Resource Center (ARC) held a Thanksgiving feast for all the animals without a family during this Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks to our social media followers and supporters, we successfully organized this event. We received prepared Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, chicken, sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, green beans, carrots, and peas along with monetary donations— enough to feed the 200+ animals in our care.

Our incredible volunteers and staff ensured that every animal was fed and that not a single bite went to waste.

We’re beyond grateful for the support of our community and volunteers. You made this Thanksgiving one to remember. It’s truly the gift of giving.

ARC Thanksgiving feast photo collage [ [link removed] ]
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Coastal Health & Wellness Hosts Sealants with Santa Event for Kids and Families

On December 7, Coastal Health & Wellness brought holiday cheer to the community with a festive and fun-filled “Sealants with Santa” event. This special event provided free dental sealants to kids ages 6-12, as needed, ensuring that their smiles stay bright and healthy for the holidays.

But that wasn’t all—families enjoyed a variety of activities, including the chance to take photos with Santa, creating lasting memories for all ages. The event also featured a hot cocoa station to keep everyone warm and cozy, along with information on other important health services offered by Coastal Health & Wellness.

This event was a wonderful way to spread holiday joy while also providing valuable health resources to the community. A big thank you to everyone who came out to join in the festivities, and to our incredible team for making it all possible.

A special thank you to Wellby Financial for sponsoring our hot cocoa station and Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) for sponsoring $1,000 worth of toys for the toy drive! 

Sealants with Santa event
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Celebrating Excellence: Employee Service Awards Recognize Outstanding Dedication and Commitment

We were honored to recognize employees on December 13 for their dedicated service to Galveston County Health District, Coastal Health & Wellness, Galveston Area Ambulance Authority and the Galveston County Animal Resource Center.

Service award recipients included:

5 years - Debra Howey, Jessica Rodriguez, Brenda Orta Gonzalez, Jennifer Nolley, Yaa Cheremateng, Virginia Lyle, Steffin John, Gabriella Trevino, Jason Arrants, Bailey Daniel, Monica Mack, Bradley Starkey, Dorinda Gonzales, Jennifer Robertson, Emily Barnes, Lacey Venable, Ashley Sciba, Sherry Shultz, and Sara Maknojia

10 years - Anthony Hernandez, Carlos Sorto, Erick Bailon, Sharon Stonum, Monique Ryans, and Maria Rojas

15 years - Cheree Windham

20 years - Judie Olivares

25 years - Alicia Sanchez

35 years - Alma Garcia

Service Awards 2024 1of2 collage of recipientsService Awards 2024 2of2 collage of recipients









Tips to keep it healthy this holiday season

How do you stick to your healthy eating plan this holiday season when everyone around you seems to be splurging?

Check out these tips that can help:

Holiday-proof your plan: Eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar steady.

Make healthier choices: Have a small plate of all the foods you enjoy. Start with veggies to take the edge off your appetite.

Fit in favorites: No food is on the naughty list. Choose dishes you love, slow down and savor a small serving.

Keep moving: Make time for a walk after your meal to stay active.




Galveston County Health District Holiday Closures

Galveston County Health District will be closed starting 12 p.m. December 24 through December 25. Offices will reopen December 26. 

Galveston County Health District will be closed January 1, 2025. Offices will reopen January 2, 2025.







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