BELL COUNTY, Texas — As we move into 2024 and wrap up the holiday season, Central Texas is in what local health officials are calling an 'epi hot season,' meaning diseases and illnesses are spreading, quickly.
Costa Claver, chief epidemiologist at the Bell County Public Health District, is tasked with investigating the diseases and illnesses developing in Bell County. He said during this time of the year, he tends to be a little busier.
"After every event, like a new year, Christmas -- we know that in January, we're going to expect some cases coming in," said Claver. "We start seeing influenza and we are predicting to have more cases of different conditions, especially for infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases and also foodborne and respiratory diseases."
Between November and December 2023, there were 50 reports of food-borne illnesses to the Bell County Public Health District. Most of those cases were salmonella. This is a trend that is happening country-wide.
The CDC reports salmonella outbreak investigations linked to food from the past year stemmed from cantaloupes, fresh diced onions, ground beef, raw cookie dough and flour. Most people who get ill from salmonella have diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. The CDC reports symptoms begin six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days.
Claver and the rest of the team at the Bell County Public Health District told 6 News it's been challenging to pinpoint the reason behind the increase in cases. However, Claver reports most of the food-borne illnesses in Bell County seem to be from cross-contamination at home.
Claver told 6 News influenza cases are reaching levels he's never seen in the county.
"I've been here for almost four years -- this is the first time in January we have more than like almost close to 400 cases of influenza. so it's it's really concerning," Claver said.
During the week of Dec. 17-24, 272 influenza–like illnesses and 423 lab-tested cases were reported by three hospitals to the Bell County Public Health District.
During the current epi hot season, Claver reports there's been a rise in STDs like chlamydia and syphilis, too. there were 105 STD cases reported in Bell County between November and December 2023.
Claver wants Central Texans to help start the new year on a better note and says it starts with prevention.
"This cannot be done effectively without the participation of each and everyone," Claver said.
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