The Williamson County and Cities Health District, which provides public health resources and clinics throughout the county, presented updates on disease monitoring, service expansions and regulatory changes at a June 28 Georgetown City Council workshop.
What’s happening
The health district is monitoring both West Nile virus detections and active cases of cyclospora, Executive Director Amber Erickson said at the meeting.
The WCCHD operates 12 mosquito traps in Georgetown, eight of which tested positive for West Nile in the past month. The most recent positive detections were located in Edwards Park and in the Sun City community, Erickson said.
In response, the district conducted mosquito control measures. Erickson said that residents should wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially in the early morning and evening.
Health officials are also monitoring active cases of cyclospora, a parasitic stomach illness caused by contaminated food or water.
Positive cyclospora lab results are automatically reported to the WCCHD by diagnostic laboratories. Although some cases are associated with a national outbreak, no local point source has been identified, Erickson said.
What else?
The WCCHD will purchase a new mobile clinical unit to increase healthcare access within the next six months, Erickson said. The mobile unit will provide immunizations, health screenings and community outreach in areas facing transportation barriers, addressing the current lack of a permanent clinic in Georgetown, she said.
The district also plans to establish a more permanent clinical presence at the Carver Center for Families over the next year to support increased demand for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program.
The WCCHD also transitioned to eWIC, an electronic benefits card system. Under this system, clients can update food benefits electronically, reducing required in-person office visits from once a month to once a quarter.
