Zoonosis Control - Public Health Region 1
Purpose
The Zoonosis Control Program promotes public health through the prevention and control of diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans.
Contact Information
| Name, Location | Office Phone | Cell Phone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Cherissa Abdul-Hamid, Regional Veterinarian, Lubbock | cherissa.abdulhamid@dshs.texas.gov | 806-783-6482 | 806-290-4474 | 806-783-6466 |
| Tonya Finch, Public Health & Prevention Specialist, Amarillo | tonya.finch@dshs.texas.gov | 806-477-1104 | 806-674-0640 | 806-373-4757 |
Services Provided
The Zoonosis Control Program works in liaison with local, federal, and other state agencies concerned with the control of zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases of importance in Public Health Region 1 include rabies, West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis virus, plague, tularemia, Hanta virus, bovine tuberculosis, and tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis.
Our duties include the following:
- Consulting with and advising physicians, local government officials, other state agencies, and the public on all aspects of zoonotic disease and animal control issues
- Investigating all reported occurrences of notifiable zoonotic diseases in humans and animals
- Assessing the potential for human or animal exposure to rabies, and making recommendations to healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and patients for preventive treatment, testing, or observation
- Maintaining a supply of human anti-rabies biologics (vaccine and immune globulin) for post-exposure prophylaxis of suspected rabies exposures
- Performing field surveillance work, including the collection of arthropods (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, etc.) and vertebrates
- Providing basic training and continuing education classes for animal control officers, as mandated by state law
- Presenting educational programs to medical and veterinary personnel, media, government officials, other public health entities, and the public on the subject of zoonotic diseases
- Inspecting rabies quarantine facilities (approved animal shelters and contracted veterinary clinics) on an annual basis to assess compliance with state regulations
- Participating in special projects, such as Oral Rabies Vaccination Program and other disease outbreak investigations in cooperation with other DSHS programs and local health departments
Zoonosis Control Related Links
- 2021 Reportable Zoonoses
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Animals in Disasters
- Control | Texas DSHS
- DSHS Arbovirus Weekly Activity Reports | Texas DSHS
- Outdoor Health and Safety Tips | Texas DSHS
- Rabies | Texas DSHS
- South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | spwrc.org
- Texas Animal Health Commission
- Texas Parks & Wildlife
- Zoonosis Control | Texas DSHS
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Department of State Health Services. These links may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.