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Page last reviewed: May 18, 2024
News Releases
A boy between the ages of 6 and 10 is the city’s first flu-associated pediatric death of the 2019-2020 flu season, the Houston Health Department confirmed today. The child, who had a pre-existing health condition, died in November.
Additional testing has detected mercury inside the Walmart located at 10750 Westview Drive. The chemical was previously found outside the Walmart and two nearby businesses, a Sonic Drive-In and Shell convenience store, on Dec. 15.
A mercury spill in the area of Westview Drive and the West Sam Houston Parkway is contained and there is no immediate threat to the public. A small amount of the chemical was spilled outside of at least three businesses.
Hundreds more Houston homes will be made lead safe thanks to a new grant awarded to the Houston Health Department. The $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is the largest the federal agency has ever awarded to a local health department for home lead-based paint hazard reduction.
The Houston Health Department encourages everyone ages six months and older to protect themselves, their family and community from the flu by getting a flu shot before the end of October.
The greater Houston area so far this year has experienced two disease outbreaks easily preventable by vaccines. Six children from counties surrounding Houston became infected in early 2019 with measles, a highly contagious disease that can prove fatal, and a mumps outbreak detected mid-year among county jail inmates now totals 20 cases.
The City of Houston has activated its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory expected to remain in effect for Houston until 7 p.m. Thursday and additional advisories are possible through the weekend.
As the peak months of mosquito season approach, the Houston Health Department reminds residents to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus.
While Houston is experiencing a nice break from the intense summer heat and humidity this week, residents will have more options to keep cool when the temperatures begin to climb.
The Houston Health Department is partnering with the Judah Brown Project to raise awareness about the risk of childhood drowning, educate parents and caregivers about reducing the risk, and link people to additional resources.