News Updates

Current news topics:

• Lung Disease Among E-cigarette Users
• West Nile Virus
• Measles

DSHS has identified 119 Texas cases of severe lung disease in people who report vaping before developing symptoms, including one death. State health officials are gathering more information about 21 other possible cases to determine whether they are consistent with the symptoms and substance use seen in cases in Texas and 48 other states. Patients range in age from 13 to 75 years old, with a median age of 22 years. About one-quarter of the people affected in Texas are minors. Three-quarters are male, and nine in ten report vaping THC or marijuana, possibly in conjunction with other substances. Almost all were hospitalized with many requiring intensive care.

Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and coughing. Some people have also experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Clinicians should ask patients with these symptoms about a history of vaping, gather as much information as possible about suspected cases, and report them to DSHS.

Nationally, 1,479 cases have been reported, and DSHS is working with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other states to gather evidence about what the cases have in common and determine a cause.

Until we know more about the cause, people should consider not using e-cigarettes. If you do vape and experience symptoms like those reported, seek medical care promptly.

Regardless of the ongoing situation:

• Youth and young adults should not vape.
• Women who are pregnant should not vape.
• Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start vaping.

Case counts will be updated each Tuesday.

News Release
Updated Health Alert
Latest Information from CDC

Vaping-Associated Severe
Lung Disease in Texas

DSHS has confirmed 22 cases of West Nile illness in Texas this year, including two deaths.

People can be infected by West Nile virus through the bite of an infected mosquito. DSHS encourages everyone to protect themselves from bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, applying insect repellent and removing standing water.

Last year, Texas reported 146 cases of West Nile illness that resulted in 11 deaths.

Case counts will be updated each Tuesday through mosquito season.

News Release
Additional Surveillance Information

West Nile Virus Cases, 2019

State health officials have confirmed 21 measles cases in Texas this year. Since outbreaks have occurred this year in other states and several foreign countries, DSHS is urging health care providers to consider measles when diagnosing patients because early identification, along with immunization, is key to preventing measles from spreading.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if someone has it, 90 percent of the people around that person who are not immune will become infected. DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children get a dose of measles vaccine at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years. The measles vaccine is very effective, about 97 percent after two doses. Children too young to be vaccinated or who have only had one dose of vaccine are more likely to get infected.

A hallmark of measles is a rash that begins as flat, red spots on the face and spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include a high fever over 101 degrees, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Anyone who believes they have measles should contact their health care provider as soon as possible.

Texas had nine confirmed cases in 2018 and one in 2017. Additional measles numbers are available on our measles data page.

Measles News Release
Measles Health Alert

Measles Cases by County, Texas 2019