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Dallas County public health says COVID and RSV cases are declining; health staff urges measles vaccinations and school outreach
Summary
Public health briefed the court that wastewater and lab surveillance show declines in COVID, influenza and RSV. Officials said no measles cases have been recorded in the county but noted outreach to school districts with high vaccine opt‑out rates and announced clinics and school vaccination efforts.
Dallas County public health staff on March 2025 told the Commissioners Court that multiple surveillance measures show declines in COVID‑19, influenza and RSV activity and said they are increasing outreach to school districts with higher vaccine opt‑out rates to guard against measles importations.
Lede: The county’s triangulated surveillance — including wastewater virus measures, lab test positivity and emergency department syndromic data — shows declines for COVID, influenza and RSV, public health officials reported.
Nut graf: Public health officials told commissioners they are coordinating with school districts to offer on‑site vaccination clinics and are alerting districts with higher exemption rates. No measles cases are known to be circulating in Dallas County, though officials said one international travel‑related case was identified in a neighboring area.
What officials said: Dr. Wong (public health) said wastewater surveillance from the county’s monitoring sites and lab test reports all show downward trends for COVID and influenza. Staff emphasized that vaccine clinics remain available for the public and that the county is offering school‑based clinics for routine childhood vaccines.
Measles outreach: Commissioners asked for more proactive parent outreach. Health staff said they have sent letters to school districts and planned on‑site clinics; they noted that some nearby counties show exemption rates far lower than needed for herd immunity and that Dallas County is monitoring schools with comparatively lower vaccination coverage. Public health staff said the vaccine for measles is inexpensive at county clinics (fee schedule noted in meeting) and that the county can provide vaccine at no cost to those who cannot pay.
Other items: County public health said mpox and influenza activity remain low; vaccinations and community clinics are ongoing. Health staff reiterated crisis‑hotline and referral numbers for behavioral health services mentioned elsewhere in the meeting.
Ending: Commissioners encouraged continued outreach to parents and requested that health staff coordinate with county communications to publicize clinic dates and school outreach.
