Health
Health news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
HealthPharr Fire Department implements new program for vulnerable patients
The Pharr Fire Department has launched a new initiative called the SAFER Home program, which stands for Silver Alert For Fire Emergency Response. This program aims to assist vulnerable individuals, particularly those with mobility challenges, who may struggle to evacuate during a fire. Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Romero emphasized the importance of targeting those who cannot help themselves in emergencies. Residents of Pharr are encouraged to apply for the program to receive visits from the fire department for assistance. Interested individuals can register online.
HealthAG Ken Paxton Investigates South Texas Hospitals Over Alleged Birth Tourism
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco for allegedly promoting birth tourism through Spanish-language billboards near the U.S.-Mexico border. The billboards advertised childbirth packages aimed at expectant mothers from Mexico, directing them to a specific website. Paxton emphasized that his office will scrutinize any suspected illegal birth tourism activities in Texas. This investigation follows a previous case against a Houston-area center that coached foreign nationals on immigration fraud. No conclusions have been drawn yet, and both hospitals have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
HealthH-E-B dietitian shares tips on making healthy school lunches for your kids
As the new school year approaches, H-E-B dietitian Joann Breaux offers valuable advice for preparing healthy school lunches for children. Emphasizing the importance of nutritious meals, Breaux shares tips to help parents ensure their kids start the year off right. For more insights and recommendations from H-E-B's dietitian, viewers can watch the accompanying video or visit their website for additional resources.
HealthDo You Throw Away Food When the Label Date Passes? It Could Be Wasteful, According to Experts
If you've ever thrown away a carton of milk or a yogurt container just because the date on the package had passed, you're not alone. Many people discard food simply because of the date printed on the label. However, it often remains perfectly edible, according to experts. Since there are no federal regulations requiring standardization of date labeling on food—except for infant formula—it’s not surprising that deciphering terms like 'Best Before,' 'Best By,' 'Best If Used By,' 'Enjoy By,' and 'Sell By' can be confusing. What most people don’t realize is that these labels are more about the freshness of a product—not whether it’s safe to eat. California is attempting to provide clarity with a new law that requires food manufacturers to use only two labels: one for quality and another for safety.
HealthFDA Withdraws Thyroid Medication from Market for Being Less Effective
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn a commonly prescribed thyroid medication from the market. The recall affects levothyroxine sodium tablets, which are used to treat hypothyroidism and reduce the size of the thyroid gland when it is enlarged, according to the Mayo Clinic. The FDA reported that the medications were functioning as lower potency products than indicated, meaning they contained a lesser amount of the active ingredient and were therefore less effective. The recalled tablets were packaged and distributed by Major Pharmaceuticals. Cardinal Health also distributed some of the affected products.
HealthOffensive Against THC: Delta-8 and Other Products Will Be Banned in Texas Starting July 31
Starting July 31, Texas will prohibit products containing THC variants like delta-8 and delta-10, as the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reinstates definitions of controlled substances. This decision follows a Texas Supreme Court ruling that lifted a temporary injunction against DSHS's definitions from 2021. The new regulations classify these cannabinoids as controlled substances, impacting their legal sale in the state. Additionally, new testing rules will measure total THC content, potentially making many hemp products illegal. Texas legislators are also considering further restrictions on THC-containing hemp products in the upcoming session.
HealthTexas AG Launches Investigation into Popular Women’s Brands Over Toxic Chemicals
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated investigations into several popular feminine care and cosmetic brands, including lip balm and lipstick, to assess the presence of toxic chemicals in their products. The investigations aim to determine if companies mislead consumers about harmful ingredients, such as titanium dioxide and heavy metals found in some feminine products. A recent study revealed that over 30 tampon products contained measurable levels of dangerous metals like lead and cadmium. The Attorney General's office is focused on potential violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and has issued Civil Investigative Demands to brands like Tampax and Kotex.
HealthValley specialist works at same hospital that cared for her as a premature baby
Ruth Frias, a speech pathologist at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, is dedicated to caring for premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her journey is particularly meaningful as she was born there 36 years ago and spent three weeks in the NICU with her twin sister. Inspired by the care she received, Frias aims to improve the lives of vulnerable babies. She notes significant advancements in NICU care, now involving a team of specialists, which allows more infants to receive treatment locally, alleviating concerns for parents who previously had to travel for care.
HealthDHR Health hosts seminar on managing student athletic emergencies
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — This week, DHR Health and the Valley Athletic Trainers Association teamed up for the 4th annual Texas Emergency Athletic Management Seminar. The training was sponsored by DHR Health at no cost to participants in an effort to increase student safety for all. The seminar began four years ago with mostly Valley
HealthMexico Launches Epidemiological Study on Lettuce Following Cyclospora Outbreak in the U.S.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the Ministry of Health is conducting an epidemiological study to determine if any products from Mexico are linked to the Cyclospora outbreak being investigated in the United States, where the CDC has issued an expanded alert. She explained that information released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has changed during the investigation, initially pointing to Mexican products, then dismissing it as a false positive, and now reconsidering that hypothesis. 'We are asking the Ministry of Health because there was an initial investigation by the FDA. They first said it was Mexican lettuce or that it was exported from certain places in Mexico to the United States. Then they said no, that the test they had conducted was a false positive, as they call it. And now they are revisiting this,' Sheinbaum stated during her press conference. The president assured that her government will provide available information as the analysis by Mexican health authorities progresses. 'An epidemiological study is being conducted to review if there is indeed something related to any Mexican product or not,' she affirmed.
HealthCity of Brownsville’s HR Team Honored Nationally for Exceptional Health Plan
The City of Brownsville's Organizational Development & Human Resources Department has been awarded the 2026 Rosie Award and recognized as one of the Top 5 Public Sector Health Plans for 2026 by Health Rosetta. This honor will be celebrated at RosettaFest 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, where public-sector leaders will discuss strategies for enhancing health plan performance. City Manager Alan Guard emphasized the importance of investing in employee health and well-being through the One City Initiative. The award highlights Brownsville's efforts in healthcare education and collaboration, aiming to create a healthier workforce and improve public service delivery.
HealthUS Records More Measles Cases in 2026 Than in All of 2025
The number of measles cases in the United States has already surpassed the record total recorded for all of 2025, with five months remaining in 2026. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,318 cases of measles as of Thursday, according to an agency update released on Friday. The country recorded 2,289 cases in 2025, the worst year for measles in over three decades. Now, 2026 has easily become the worst year for measles in the U.S. since 1991, due to large outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona that have sickened hundreds, along with smaller clusters of cases in other states. In November, international health authorities will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their status as measles-free countries. The U.S. eliminated local transmission of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, which have recently fallen below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Experts believe that the actual spread of the virus may be underestimated, as some individuals become ill without seeking medical attention, a situation not unique to measles. Additionally, vaccination rates have declined nationwide, with rates for measles, mumps, and rubella dropping to 92.5% among kindergarten children for the 2024-25 school year, down from 95.2% in 2019-2020, concealing even lower rates in certain communities. In Utah, where public health officials have been combating measles for over a year, the virus has sickened more than 700 people during that time, according to the state health department. Experts using mathematical models and genetic analysis suggest that a large outbreak on the Utah-Arizona border could be three to four times larger than currently known, according to state epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen. The situation is even more uncertain in South Carolina, which experienced the largest outbreak in the country in 35 years, with a total of 997 cases likely being an underestimate, according to the state health department. Dr. Brannon Traxler, interim director of the state health department, stated that the extent of underreporting is “impossible to know and may vary throughout an outbreak.” Gaps in data can hinder reliable estimates of the true scope of an outbreak. Experts say hospitalization rates can be a good indicator, but measles hospitalizations are not mandated to be reported in all states. In Texas, researchers are still working to estimate the size of the state's 2025 outbreak, with preliminary findings suggesting it could have been nearly double the known 762 cases. Rémy Pasco, a mathematical epidemiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, noted that underestimations do not surprise him. In the absence of adequate community vaccination rates—95%, according to health experts—“there is not much that can be done against measles once you have it,” he stated. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more linked cases. However, by the time three such cases are identified in communities with low vaccination and less disease surveillance, “either you missed the previous cases or you’re going to have many more,” he added. Dr. Varun Shetty, Texas's chief state epidemiologist, mentioned instances where individuals tested positive for measles, but health authorities could not confirm who else lived in that person's household or if they were ill. “What we can count and report is almost always an underestimate of what actually occurred, because it depends on people being willing to get tested and share information with health providers and public health,” Shetty said. “Sometimes that simply does not happen.” The state health department previously reported that 182 probable measles cases went unconfirmed in March 2025 among minors in Gaines County—the epicenter of the outbreak—due to a lack of information. The confirmed case count in that west Texas county during the entire outbreak is 414. Shetty expects to continue seeing measles cases and even outbreaks, as many people remain unprotected. “It is really crucial, not just for individuals, but also for communities, to have high vaccination coverage,” he said. Dr. Mark Roberts, former director of the Public Health Dynamics Lab at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health, is particularly concerned about what he calls “innocent bystanders.” Research and measles models from his team show that those unable to be vaccinated—very young infants, people with weakened immune systems, and those who, on rare occasions, do not develop strong immunity from the vaccine—bear the brunt of outbreaks early on. Some people view skipping vaccination as akin to deciding not to wear a seatbelt in a car, Roberts said. “Not vaccinating your child is like saying, ‘I don’t want my car to have brakes,’” he said. “Because you can crash into other people. You’re not alone in your car. There are other people.”
HealthPopular Allergy Medication Withdrawn Due to Potentially Fatal Risks
The FDA has announced a voluntary recall of four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride tablets, commonly used for allergy relief, due to potential contamination with ranitidine. This contamination poses serious health risks, including severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, particularly for individuals sensitive to ranitidine. The affected lots, distributed by Rising Pharma Holdings Inc., include GY825029, GY825030, GY825031, and GY825032, with an expiration date of October 2028. Consumers are advised to check their medications and consult healthcare providers if they have concerns about possible contamination.
HealthThe Cyclospora Outbreak Expands to Illinois, Pennsylvania, and 7 Other States
The multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis has expanded to nine states, according to the CDC. Cases in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania are now linked to Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Michigan, which has reported the highest number of infections. A total of 1,947 cases have been confirmed. The likely source is shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from Mexico, which has voluntarily recalled the product. Investigations continue as the FDA looks into other potential sources. Michigan has nearly 8,000 cases, while Ohio has 2,596. Other states, including New York and North Carolina, are also reporting cases.
HealthHidalgo County judge urges vigilance after screwworm detected in Starr County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said county leaders continue to closely monitor the New World Screwworm after the first confirmed case in the Rio Grande Valley was recently detected in a newborn calf in Starr County. Cortez issued a statement on Thursday praising the actions taken by local, state and
HealthSan Juan Memorial Library to host free Narcan training
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Juan Memorial Library and Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Department will host a free Narcan training on Friday. The free event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to properly administer Narcan to reverse an overdose. Narcan is a
HealthInvestigation Underway for New Cyclospora Outbreak in the U.S.; 72 Infected
U.S. federal health authorities are investigating a new outbreak linked to the cyclospora parasite, which causes acute diarrhea. As of Wednesday, the outbreak has affected 72 people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet identified which products are connected to the illnesses, nor have officials indicated where the cases are located. 'This is an active investigation, and authorities are working together to determine the specific cause of the illnesses in this group,' the Department of Health and Human Services stated in an email on Thursday. This week, federal authorities indicated they are still focused on Taylor Farms lettuce as the source of a separate outbreak affecting several states. The company announced last week the recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. Meanwhile, the Latin American country announced on Thursday that no cyclospora was detected in the lettuce or water at the Taylor Farms facility, which operates in the central state of Guanajuato. The Health Secretariat stated in a release that tests conducted by the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) returned 'negative results for the detection of Cyclospora Cayetanensis and for the presence of fecal coliforms and within the physicochemical parameters according to national standards.' The study results were announced after a visit by Mexican health authorities to the Taylor Farms facility from July 18 to 20, during which ten samples of iceberg lettuce were collected: five whole samples present at the establishment and five samples of finished product, such as chopped, washed, and disinfected lettuce, according to the statement. During the visit, four water samples were also taken for microbiological and basic physicochemical determination. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, usually when agricultural products have been irrigated or washed with contaminated water. When ingested, the parasite causes an intestinal illness characterized by 'frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,' according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Federal and state health authorities have been investigating separate clusters of cyclospora cases, including one traced back to Taylor Farms. Food safety tips include washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food. Experts note that cooking can eliminate the parasite and recommend cooking vegetables to a temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
HealthLatest South Texas Healthy Living episode on NBC 23 to tackle arthritis
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every month, South Texas Health System tackles a different issue in South Texas Healthy Living, a 30-minute program that airs on KVEO NBC 23. System Director of Marketing & Public Relations Tom Castaneda said the latest episode will explore the warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors of arthritis. According to the
HealthValley doctor weighs in on new cholesterol pill
In the Rio Grande Valley, high cholesterol is a significant concern, especially among those with diabetes. The FDA has recently approved Lipfendra, a new pill that aids the liver in eliminating bad cholesterol from the bloodstream. Previously available only as an injection, the pill is expected to be more affordable for residents, according to Dr. Kamesh 'Siv' Sivagnanam from Valley Baptist Harlingen. He noted that the injections were costly, making the pill a more accessible option for many. Research indicates that Lipfendra can lower bad cholesterol levels by approximately 60 percent.