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ing to be really important is for us to quickly identify where and when we have perhaps the first case of mos- quito vector transmission of Zika in Texas. We will need to home in on that area and concentrate on that case and define where the contacts are and where the risks are around that, and then we can tailor our response to that locality and that community. It may be more than one community. But the point is, it’s not proper, it’s not good science, it’s not good public health to say, “Gee, as soon as you get a single case of locally transmitted Zika in the state, then the entire state is somehow at risk for local transmission of Zika.” We think that we can respond to it and confine it much more effectively than that.
[On March 9] we convened for the
new iteration of the governor’s [Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Pre- paredness and Response]. We have some fantastic expertise there, and we’re certainly going to rely on the ex- perts to look at the kind of plans that we’re already developing in DSHS. For instance, I have all of my direct reports in the various areas looking at and devising response plans, and we are really well on our way and very pleased with it. It’s impossible prob- ably to keep this out if it’s going to get here, but we may be able to delay it, and then once it’s here, we may be able to mitigate it. One of the best models we think
that’s out there for Zika is dengue fever. If you look at the incidence of dengue in Texas, it’s now very low; we haven’t had any cases in a very long period of time, whereas just on the other side of the border in Mexico, they continue to have hundreds of cas- es every year. What’s the difference? Really, those mosquito populations and those human populations interact constantly. But on our side, the socio- economic differences by themselves are sufficient to greatly limit the trans- mission and greatly limit the threat of dengue.
Texas Medicine: You’re a pediatrician and served as the medical director for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. What impact does your background have on your role as commissioner and your vision for DSHS?
Dr. Hellerstedt: My experience as Medicaid medical director paved the way for me wanting and appreciating the position I’m in at DSHS. In 2007, when I left, I was awarded the Child Advocate of the Year Award by the Texas Pediatric Society, and that was very gratifying because what it meant was that folks in government can play a role that’s recognized by the provid- er community in improving the health of children. It’s that model that was really the most rewarding part of my career, and I hope that I can replicate some of those same kind of successes here.
When I was with Medicaid, I
worked very closely with TMA. I look forward to having a close relationship with TMA as commissioner, as well. n
Joey Berlin is a reporter for Texas Medicine. You can reach him by phone at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1393, or (512) 370-1393; by fax at (512) 370-1629; or by email at
joey.berlin@
texmed.org.
62 TEXAS MEDICINE May 2016
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