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State health office presents Lavaca County 2024 public‑health summary; immunizations, STD testing and community programs highlighted
Summary
A Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Region 8 nurse summarized Lavaca County's 2024 public health activity, including vaccine administration, notifiable disease counts, rabies positives, and local outreach programs.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Region 8 staff presented Lavaca County's 2024 public health summary to the Lavaca County Commissioners Court on May 12, reporting local disease counts, vaccine services and community health activities.
Lauren Warner, a public health nurse with DSHS Region 8, told the court that the regional office, based in Hallettsville, provides public health coverage for Lavaca and Gonzales counties and that a printed copy of the county report was available in the meeting packet and at the back of the room.
What DSHS reported
- Notifiable disease counts (2024): 31 foodborne illnesses, 2 vaccine‑preventable diseases, 30 newly reported sexually transmitted diseases, and two animals that tested positive for rabies.
- Vaccination services: DSHS administered 196 routine vaccines at the Hallettsville local office during the past year for children and adults who qualify for those services.
- Testing and prevention: Region 8 provides HIV/STD testing and treatment services, lactation support, car‑seat inspection and installation by appointment, and collaborates with local partners on health education events.
- Programs and partnerships: Warner and Sabrina Ponton (community health specialist) said the office works with Texas A&M AgriLife, local health ministries, WIC and school and library partners to provide education and outreach. Warner noted that both she and Ponton participate in a community health improvement program that focuses on maternal and child health topics including safe sleep, breastfeeding, nutrition, smoking cessation and child injury prevention. Warner said she earned certification as a lactation consultant this past year and that the certification increases the office's ability to support breastfeeding mothers in the county.
Commission comments and next steps
Judge Mudd and commissioners thanked DSHS staff for the report and for local services. Warner encouraged commissioners and county staff to contact the regional office for program manager information listed on the back of the printed report; she also noted that the office performs car‑seat inspections by appointment and partners with WIC and daycares for passenger safety education.
Ending
The commission received the report; no formal vote was recorded. DSHS staff left the court with county officials and will continue outreach and coordination on vaccination, prevention and maternal‑child health programs in Lavaca County.
