84R19654 BPG-D
By: Davis of Dallas H.R. No. 1719
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dallas County Health and Human Services deserves
special recognition for its performance during the nation's first
Ebola outbreak in October 2014; and
WHEREAS, Before the crisis, DCHHS had prepared thoroughly for
such an incident; the agency had previously dealt with health
emergencies caused by West Nile virus, the H1N1 virus, and
tuberculosis, and it had conducted routine drills in anticipation
of other major illness outbreaks; and
WHEREAS, Once a case of Ebola was confirmed in Dallas, the
agency's personnel undertook numerous tasks to control the crisis,
among them clinical assessments, lab testing, contact tracing,
public education, and resource support; nurses in the Communicable
Disease Division monitored passengers who had traveled on the same
flights as an Ebola patient, and DCHHS employees fielded calls from
concerned residents and inquiries from as far away as Bahrain; in
addition, the agency quickly provided translations of fact sheets
in 10 languages to ensure that area residents had access to crucial
information; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the month of October, DCHHS employees
worked around the clock to identify and monitor the contacts of new
Ebola cases; the county was deemed free of Ebola on November 7,
2014, but while DCHHS returned to normal operations, it continued
its efforts to prevent another outbreak, monitoring more than 30
individuals who had traveled from West Africa; and
WHEREAS, The staff of Dallas County Health and Human Services
demonstrated skill, professionalism, and dedication during a
frightening medical crisis, and its proven ability to protect
public health is a source of tremendous reassurance to area
citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Dallas County Health and Human Services
for its response to the October 2014 Ebola outbreak and extend to
all members of the staff sincere best wishes for continued success
in their vital endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the agency as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.