The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working with local health departments to assess people with respiratory illness and recent travel to Wuhan, China for 2019 novel coronavirus testing.
Public health personnel have identified four people in Texas who meet the testing criteria due to their travel history and respiratory symptoms.
One person has tested negative for coronavirus, and testing is ongoing for the other three. DSHS refused to say where the cases were until they are positive.
NBC 5 has already reported on cases being investigated in Waco and Bryan/College Station where students at both Baylor University and Texas A&M University are being tested for the virus after traveling to Wuhan, China.
Anyone who has recently traveled in Wuhan, China should monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their health care provider if they develop fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of being in Wuhan, DSHS said.
DSHS is urging health care professionals to ask patients with respiratory symptoms about their travel history and contact their local or regional health department if they think a patient may have novel coronavirus.
According to DSHS, there are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like the novel coronavirus. Those steps are similar to what one would take to prevent the flu.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING FLU
- Get a flu vaccine every season, especially people with high risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- If you're experiencing flu symptoms, visit your doctor and begin taking antiviral medications to help you recover more quickly
WHAT IS FLU?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Some people, those age 65 and older or young children, or those with underlying medical conditions, are at higher risk for flu complications. There are two main types of flu, Flu A and Flu B, that are generally responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.
Learn more about the flu virus here from the CDC.
DSHS has additional information on the 2019 novel coronavirus for the public, health care professionals, health departments and labs at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.
