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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dallas County Health and Human Services deserves |
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special recognition for its performance during the nation's first |
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Ebola outbreak in October 2014; and |
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WHEREAS, Before the crisis, DCHHS had prepared thoroughly for |
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such an incident; the agency had previously dealt with health |
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emergencies caused by West Nile virus, the H1N1 virus, and |
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tuberculosis, and it had conducted routine drills in anticipation |
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of other major illness outbreaks; and |
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WHEREAS, Once a case of Ebola was confirmed in Dallas, the |
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agency's personnel undertook numerous tasks to control the crisis, |
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among them clinical assessments, lab testing, contact tracing, |
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public education, and resource support; nurses in the Communicable |
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Disease Division monitored passengers who had traveled on the same |
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flights as an Ebola patient, and DCHHS employees fielded calls from |
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concerned residents and inquiries from as far away as Bahrain; in |
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addition, the agency quickly provided translations of fact sheets |
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in 10 languages to ensure that area residents had access to crucial |
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information; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout the month of October, DCHHS employees |
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worked around the clock to identify and monitor the contacts of new |
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Ebola cases; the county was deemed free of Ebola on November 7, |
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2014, but while DCHHS returned to normal operations, it continued |
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its efforts to prevent another outbreak, monitoring more than 30 |
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individuals who had traveled from West Africa; and |
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WHEREAS, The staff of Dallas County Health and Human Services |
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demonstrated skill, professionalism, and dedication during a |
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frightening medical crisis, and its proven ability to protect |
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public health is a source of tremendous reassurance to area |
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citizens; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Dallas County Health and Human Services |
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for its response to the October 2014 Ebola outbreak and extend to |
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all members of the staff sincere best wishes for continued success |
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in their vital endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the agency as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |