Epidemiology

Epidemiology is a branch of science that studies the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases in a population. Our Epidemiology team works to protect and promote the health of McLennan County residents.

Our Epidemiologists:

• Handle reportable diseases and conditions.
• Maintain accurate morbidity data for the county.
• Actively investigate unusual disease occurrences to prevent further outbreaks.
• Monitor and assess the county to create a profile of chronic disease issues within McLennan County.
• List of Notifiable Conditions

Health Alerts/Advisories/News Releases

News Releases

June 6, 2026

Hantavirus monitoring completed for Texas passengers from the MV Hondius

The two Texas residents who were being monitored for hantavirus have successfully completed their monitoring period with no sign of infection. It has been 42 days since their last possible exposure to hantavirus, which is the longest known period...

June 4, 2026

DSHS provides precautions following animal New World screwworm case in Texas

The Department of State Health Services is alerting Texans to the presence of New World screwworm in the state following confirmation of an NWS detection in a bovine in Zavala County. The three-week-old, affected calf was found with larvae from the...

June 4, 2026

DSHS now accepting applications for statewide food truck license

The Texas Department of State Health Services has opened applications for a new statewide license for mobile food vendors, including food trucks, pushcarts and roadside vendors. Last year’s passage of HB 2844 created the new MFV license type that...

June 2, 2026

New disease testing added to Texas newborn screening panel

The Texas Department of State Health Services added a new enzyme deficiency test on June 1, 2026, to its newborn screening panel, meaning that all Texas newborns are now tested for 60 rare, genetic conditions. Tests for hearing loss and critical...

May 7, 2026

DSHS statement on Texas residents who were on board the MV Hondius

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has notified DSHS that two Texas residents were passengers on the MV Hondius, a ship that experienced an outbreak of hantavirus while traveling in the Atlantic Ocean. The passengers left the ship and...

May 19, 2026

DSHS confirms first West Nile case in Texas in 2026

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting this year’s first case of West Nile illness in a resident of Harris County. Health officials confirmed the resident was diagnosed with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease.

May 7, 2026

DSHS reaches agreement on fiber optic requirement for youth camps

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reached an agreement with a group of youth camp operators regarding legal requirements that all camps licensed by DSHS maintain fiber optic Internet service.

May 7, 2026

DSHS statement on Texas residents who were on board the MV Hondius

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has notified DSHS that two Texas residents were passengers on the MV Hondius, a ship that experienced an outbreak of hantavirus while traveling in the Atlantic Ocean. The passengers left the ship and...

Health Advisories

May 20, 2026

Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

The CDC has issued the Health Advisory linked below about the ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

May 1, 2026

Health Advisory: Test patients with symptoms consistent with Cyclospora infection

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is preparing for the annual Cyclospora outbreak season that runs from May to August. In 2025, Texas had more than 500 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, compared with 413 cases in 2024 and 788 in...

Texas DSHS News and Health Alert Archive