(McKINNEY, Texas) -- Collin County’s District Clerk will hold a Saturday passport fair on Oct. 10 to help meet the demand for passport applications due to recent government travel requirements.

Increased demand for passport services at the District Clerk’s Office is a result of a June 2009 change in U.S. travel law, requiring most U.S. citizens to present a valid U.S. passport upon entry into the United States. Previously, returning travelers from Mexico and Canada were not required to present a U.S. Passport.

“We are looking forward to processing as many applications as possible, and we hope people will take advantage of the extended weekend hours,” said Patricia Crigger, Chief Deputy Clerk.

Who:     Hannah Kunkle, Collin County District Clerk
What:    Collin County Passport Fair
When:   Oct. 10, 2009; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where:  Collin County Courthouse, 1st Floor
              2100 Bloomdale Road
              McKinney, Texas

The public should bring the following to help the application process run smoothly:

• Passport application (available at www.co.collin.tx.us (under departments-District Clerk) or www.travel.state.gov
• Proof of US Citizenship (certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate
• Proof of identity (valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID; a recently issued U.S. passport, a recently issued naturalization certificate; a recently issued certificate of citizenship
• Two recent 2” x 2” identical color passport photos (available on site for $10.83)
• Assessed fees must be paid by check or money order (visit www.co.collin.tx.us (under departments-District Clerk) or www.travel.state.gov for current fees)
• All applicants must appear in person
• Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents.  If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.  When renewing a passport for minors under the age of 16, they must bring the old passport and a valid birth certificate.

These vaccinations will be offered Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney.  Both Medicare Part B and Medicaid will be accepted. 

 For those without Medicare Part B or Medicaid, the flu shot for an adult is $20 and for children the cost ranges from $0 to $14 depending on income.  However, no child will be turned away.  To determine the availability of the flu vaccines on any given day, please call our clinic at 972-548-5500.

When it comes to the flu, some in our community are considered at high risk. This group includes:
•  Adults 65 or over;
• Children 6-23 months;
• Children 2 years of age or older who live with one or more children less than 6 months old;
• Adults and children with other long-term health problems;
• Pregnant women;
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers; and,
• People who live with or care for children less than six months of age.

There are also some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting with their physician.  They include:
• People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• Those who have had a severe reaction to flu shots in the past;
• Anyone with an allergy to Thimerosol;
• Those who have a fever; and,
• Children less than 6 months old.

Collin County recently was awarded a $707,309 grant from the U.S. Center for Disease Control to address the H1N1 - or swine flu -- vaccinations.  These vaccinations should be available by mid-October.  The primary focus of the grant is to increase availability to people who are considered high risk, such as those listed above. When available, this vaccination will be provided free of charge.

Even with the vaccines, the best way to prevent any strain of flu is to develop good health habits.  For example:
• Washing your hands sounds so basic, but over 20 infectious agents can be avoided by doing this;
• If you are sick, say at home!  One school has already closed for a day due to sickness;
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.  If a tissue is not available sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands; and,
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth-especially after shaking hands.

In preparation for the flu season Collin County's Homeland Security Department will establish a flu surveillance system.  This will allow both situational awareness and easy calculations of school absenteeism on a daily basis, district-wide, for school nurse coordinators, superintendents and public health officials. 

2-1-1 is the local access point for all calls related to H1N1 (general and medical inquires).  An Information Call Specialist will be responsible for responding to inquires from the general public regarding to the following:
•  Location of vaccine clinics
• Providing general information about symptoms of H1N1
• Dispelling any myths
• Providing possible school closure information

Also, for more information on this year's influenza season the Center for Disease Control has a weekly update that can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. 
 

(MCKINNEY, Texas) Last night’s high winds and rain throughout Collin County required County Public Works crews to work through the night opening roads to through traffic.

Forty-four county roads experienced minor to severe damage from the storms. The areas around Celina, Weston, Anna and Blue Ridge were impacted the most by the weather. Crews have been assessing damage, cutting trees, and removing and disposing of storm-related damage. Currently there are approximately 250 trees needing removal and disposal.  However, at this time, all county roads are open to through traffic.

The County Public Works Department, which was just awarded a National Association of Counties (NACO) 2009 Achievement Award, continues to have crews perform repair and clean-up work even as they face the possibility of further damaging storms tonight.

Swine Flu
April 30, 2009

HEALTH ADVISORY: 1st Swine Flu case confirmed; two probable cases being investigated

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Health authorities confirmed the first local case of Swine Flu, a 14-year-old Plano middle school student, after test results were verified by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control earlier today.

According to Collin County Health Care Services and the Plano Health Authority a student at Wilson Middle School is the only confirmed case ofH1N1 Influenza, with two more “probable” cases in the county under investigation by health authorities.

For updates and more information on a local and national basis, please logon to www.collincountytx.gov.

4-28-09 (McKINNEY, Texas) – Health authorities here have documented no confirmed cases of Swine Influenza A virus reported in Collin County as of late this morning. Epidemiologic investigations being conducted by Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) are ongoing, as reports of overall influenza activity are clearly beginning to increase in the community. 

The World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 4 yesterday, April 27, signifying sustained human-to-human transmission of a virus capable of sustaining community-wide outbreaks, and the increased likelihood of a pandemic. 

None of the six illnesses reported in Texas so far have been severe, but Mexico has now reported 149 deaths associated with swine influenza. 

For more information on swine flue, logon to:
www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm, and
www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/tx_flu-like_guide.shtm. 

Collin County health advisories and daily updates will be available at www.co.collin.tx.us/.

(McKINNEY, Texas) – No confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported in Collin County, but health authorities here are advising residents to take a few preventative measures to protect themselves against the respiratory disease.

Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) is working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide guidance for the public and health providers in light of the recent concern surrounding Swine Influenza. 

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that trigger regular outbreaks in pigs.  Humans do not normally get swine flu but human infections can and do happen.  Persons infected with swine influenza A (H1N1) may experience symptoms similar to regular human flu such as, fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

As with seasonal flu, those who may be ill should contact their health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.  Ill persons should limit their contact with others to avoid spreading the infection.  This is especially important for households with small children and those with weakened immune systems.  

To protect against becoming sick, take the following steps:

• Cover your cough: Make sure to cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve to prevent the spread of germs
• Wash your hands: Thorough hand washing with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs; Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also recommended when soap and water are not available
• Keep hands off: Germs are easily spread from person to person or person to surfaces when you touch your eyes nose or mouth first
• Sick? Stay home: Staying home from school or work when you are ill helps prevent the spread of illness 

Epidemiology, Health Department, and Homeland Security staff members will continues to provide updates and guidelines for health care providers, and school administrators. 

For more information, please see the following resources:

• The Centers for Disease Control offers general information on swine flu, ‘Things You Can Do’, and Human Swine Flu Investigation updates at www.cdc.gov/swineflu; and,
• The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) posts swine flu news releases and information for professionals at www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2008

(McKINNEY, Texas) -- Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) is investigating local reports of cryptosporidiosis in recreational water facilities. To date, CCHCS has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis when compared to the same timeframe last year. Since the recent increase in the number of cryptosporidiosis cases in the North Texas region, there have been 15 laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis cases in Collin County.  Epidemiology staff are conducting investigations of reported cases and working closely with local jurisdictions to ensure proper disease prevention measures, such as hyperchlorination, are being taken to protect the public’s health.

Cryptosporidiosis or “Crypto” is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Cryptosporidium. A person may become ill after swallowing water or food that has become contaminated with the parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps which may last 1-2 weeks. People with vulnerable or weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children may become more seriously ill or be ill for a longer period of time.

In order to prevent the spread of cryptosporidiosis, CCHCS is recommending the following measures:

Do’s and Don’ts for the general pubic:
•  DO seek medical attention upon onset of a diarrheal illness
•  DON’T swim if you have diarrhea
•  DON’T swim for 14 days after the diarrhea has ended
•  DO shower before and after swimming
•  DO wash your hands with soap and water before preparing or eating food and after using the toilet or changing diapers
•  DON’T swallow water from pools and lakes

For operators of aquatic facilities:
•   Persons should not enter the water if experiencing symptoms until two weeks after diarrhea illness has ended
•   Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at www.healthyswimming.org for guidance and instruction on hyperchlorination to kill cryptosporidium
•   For questions or concerns about hyperchlorination in an incorporated city within the county, please contact your city’s environmental health department
•   For questions or concerns about hyperchlorination in the unincorporated areas of the county, please contact Collin County Developmental Services at 972-548-5585
•   For additional information please visit www.dshs.state.tx.us
 

(McKINNEY, Texas) – A handful of county roads will be partially closed to traffic Sunday, March 9, 2008, as hundreds of cyclists compete in the Jesuit Ranger Roundup, one of several spring cycling events sponsored by Texas High School Cycling League.

The county’s Public Works Department will be setting up barricades and traffic cones for Sunday’s race, which runs east from Celina High School and loops back in a circuit using the following county roads: 134, 105, 132, 135, 177 and 175. (See Map) Signs will also be posted along the race course to remind motorists of the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The cyclists will be using the right-hand side of the roadways only, with pace and follow cars to help protect racers. Event organizers say there will be temporary traffic stops at come county road intersections as the racers pass through.

County officials are asking residents and drivers in the area on Sunday keep an eye out for racers.

For more information on the partial road closing, contact Collin County’s Public Works, 972-548-3700. For details on the bicycle race, contact event organizer Andrew Armstrong, 617-480-6705, or logon to www.texashighschoolcycling.org.

(McKINNEY, Texas) -- In response to the number of brush fires currently burning in Collin County, an order prohibiting outdoor burning is now in effect. Until further notice, all outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Collin County.

Brush fires are currently burning in the following areas (Tuesday):
• Celina (Preston Rd and CR 95)
• Fairview (Bush Rd and Hwy 5)
• Wylie
• Weston (CR 136 and CR 138)
• McKinney (FM 2933 near CR 410 and 342)
• CR 830 near CR 1106
• Lucas (1100 Forest Grove)

A county declaration of disaster has also taken effect due to the fires. The declaration triggers access to additional federal and state resources.