Harris County Public Health, Houston Health Dept. host Q&A event to discuss disease, vaccine

HOUSTON – The Harris County Public Health and Houston Health Department authorities will join a virtual news conference Thursday for a Q&A event to discuss updates relating to the monkeypox virus and the monkeypox vaccine.

Both health departments are now administering the monkeypox vaccine since receiving a shipment last Friday from the Texas Department of State Health Services, according to a release.

HCPH Local Health Authority, Dr. Ericka Brown and HHD Deputy Local Health Authority Dr. Janeana White will answer questions and answers surrounding the disease.

Although the World Health Organization recently declared monkeypox to be a global public health emergency, the risk level remains low in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, cases continue to climb across the country.

As of July 27, the CDC reported 4,639 confirmed cases in 46 states. In Texas, the case count increased to 287. Harris County accounted for 71 total cases: 58 in the city of Houston and 13 in the unincorporated area of the county, according to a release.