Health
Health news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
HealthDHR Health Continues to Lead the Way in Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease for the RGV
DHR Health in Edinburg is making strides in Alzheimer’s care, being the first hospital south of San Antonio to offer Leqembi, an FDA-approved treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease. Now, it is the only facility in the Rio Grande Valley providing amyloid PET scans for accurate diagnosis. Additionally, DHR Health has introduced Kisunla, another FDA-approved treatment for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s. As June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Dr. Roberto Alejandro Cruz emphasized the importance of accessible specialized care, which can significantly impact families dealing with the disease. DHR Health aims to deliver comprehensive care locally, minimizing travel for patients.
HealthDoctor Zamora Quezada, Convicted of Medical Fraud, Leaves Federal Prison
According to federal records, rheumatologist Zamora-Quezada was transferred on May 19 to a community confinement program under the supervision of the San Antonio Residential Reentry Office. The doctor was found guilty in 2025 of a fraud scheme that, according to federal authorities, involved the unnecessary diagnosis and treatment of thousands of patients for the purpose of making millions in profit. However, at the time of sentencing, he was credited with over seven years as he had already been in custody prior to the trial for the 10 years imposed. In addition to the prison sentence, Zamora-Quezada will serve three years of supervised release as part of his sentence. Federal authorities noted during the judicial process that the scheme caused physical, emotional, and financial harm to numerous patients who underwent unnecessary treatments and procedures.
HealthFDA Alert: Thousands of Bottles of Popular Blood Pressure Medication Recalled
The FDA has issued a recall for over 11,400 bottles of chlorthalidone tablets, a medication used to treat high blood pressure. The voluntary recall by Inventia Healthcare Limited was announced on June 5 due to a failure to meet dissolution specifications. The affected bottles, which have an expiration date of April 2027, are part of a broader trend of recalls in the hypertension medication category, following a previous recall of over half a million bottles of prazosin hydrochloride last October due to concerns about a carcinogenic substance. Patients are advised to consult their doctors or pharmacies if they have these tablets.
HealthUTRGV researchers explore new paths for discovering Alzheimer's indicators
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Alexa Nichols, a former ophthalmic technician and rising third year medical student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, knows firsthand how much information the eyes can hold. Nichols is part of a group of students at UTRGV's School of Medicine studying how small changes in the retina can indicate
HealthValley group to host wellness event to support breast cancer patients
A Rio Grande Valley organization is organizing a wellness event to support breast cancer patients and survivors. Co-Founder Amanda Flores-De La Fuente and board member Kassandra Rodriguez discussed the event, titled Stronger Than The Ribbon Wellness Day, which will take place on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Casa Once in Mission. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit those affected by breast cancer. For more details, interested individuals can find additional information through local news sources.
HealthAustin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texa abortion ban, federal complaint alleges
Lynn Callaway has filed a federal complaint against two Austin-area hospitals, alleging they denied her necessary care during a miscarriage. Despite experiencing severe symptoms and an infection, she was sent home without treatment after visits to Baylor Scott & White and St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center. Callaway claims that doctors hesitated to provide care due to fears of violating Texas's strict abortion laws. Although a new law was enacted to clarify treatment for miscarriages, she still faced delays. Callaway is now seeking investigations into the hospitals under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, citing violations of her rights.
Health1st on-the-border case of New World screwworm reported
The first case of New World screwworm has been reported in a Texas border county on Monday.
HealthCitywide mosquito spraying scheduled for Mercedes
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Crews with the city of Mercedes will be spraying for mosquitoes starting Tuesday. The city spraying will be conducted in two sessions. The first mosquito spraying will be on Tuesday on the south side of Business 83, followed by the second mosquito spraying on Wednesday on the north side of Business
HealthFinally, I'm going home: Quarantine ends in the U.S. for passengers from hantavirus ship
The last eight Americans who spent 42 days in a specialized hospital quarantine unit after exposure to an unusual hantavirus outbreak on a cruise that killed three people have left the facilities in Nebraska. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials confirmed the end of the quarantine on Monday. 'Through close collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, HHS helped protect the American people, contain potential risks, and bring this response effort to a successful conclusion,' said HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard in an email. More than 120 people of various nationalities were evacuated from the MV Hondius in the Canary Islands, Spain, in early May, including the 18 Americans who ended up in the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha. In addition to those evacuated by medical experts in full protective gear, at least 30 other passengers disembarked before the outbreak was documented, including seven Americans who were allowed to monitor for symptoms at home. When the ship finally docked in the Netherlands, 25 crew members and two medical staff remained on board and had to quarantine. The World Health Organization did not respond to questions on Monday about the status of all other individuals who had to quarantine worldwide. A total of 13 cases of the virus were identified, including the three fatalities, among those who were on the ship. Most Americans returned home, but some were forced to quarantine. One American passenger, Angela Perryman, had been held against her will and contrary to a government medical expert's recommendation. She noted in an interview on Monday that passengers were told the quarantine monitoring period would end on Sunday at 2 p.m. She left on a flight that night. Others were departing on flights on Monday, she indicated. 'They kept us locked in our rooms until 1:55. And at 2 o'clock, 'OK, well, everyone walk out and go home,' said Perryman, speaking from her home in Florida. Some spent the night elsewhere in Omaha, but Perryman pushed to take a flight home that same night. The government paid for the flights, she claimed. Seven of the last remaining patients stayed voluntarily, but Perryman was forced to remain due to a controversial quarantine order deemed unnecessary even by some health officials. Perryman and seven others spent six weeks in the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This monitoring period was established because, in previous outbreaks, hantavirus symptoms have taken up to 42 days to appear. No reports indicated that any of them developed the illness. The seven stayed voluntarily, but Perryman was forced to remain due to the controversial quarantine order. Ten others in the facility were allowed to leave earlier under an agreement to be closely monitored in their home states. The outbreak occurred on a small cruise. The passengers were on a Dutch cruise ship, the MV Hondius, traveling through the South Atlantic, which became the site of a hantavirus outbreak that killed three people, including a Dutch couple who health officials believe were the first to be exposed to the virus while visiting South America. Hantaviruses typically spread when people inhale contaminated rodent droppings, but the hantavirus that caused the outbreak, known as Andes virus, could potentially be transmitted between people in rare cases, according to health officials. About 25 Americans were on the ship, including around seven who disembarked in April and 18 who remained on board. Sixteen were evacuated to the quarantine unit in Nebraska in Omaha on May 11, and two more Americans joined them a few days later. Passengers enjoyed the hospitality of Nebraska. During the passengers' stay, local restaurants in Omaha and food trucks delivered special meals for them to enjoy almost daily. Occasionally, nurses would go to Starbucks to bring them some of their favorite drinks. The rooms they stayed in were like hotel rooms equipped with a desk, television, internet access, and exercise equipment to help them pass the time. One passenger, Jake Rosmarin, posted a video on Monday morning titled 'Finally, I'm going home,' showing him leaving his room in the quarantine center, carrying two suitcases and a backpack, and turning off the lights as he exited the door. Later on Monday, he posted a video of the Omaha skyline taken from his airplane window as he headed home with his fiancée to Boston and his family. Rosmarin, a travel blogger, shared a tearful video on Sunday thanking the quarantine unit staff, the Omaha community, and his family and friends who helped him cope with the quarantine. 'I want to thank the Omaha, Nebraska community for welcoming us with open arms and showing us total kindness and generosity. And a big thank you to all of you who helped me get through this because I really don't know if it would have been as easy without the support of strangers,' he said while wearing a Nebraska Huskers sweatshirt that someone had sent him. Florida declined to monitor a passenger 24/7. Perryman had a darker view. She was forced to stay after Florida officials rejected a federal requirement that the state provide her with 24-hour surveillance if she returned home. This, even though, according to her, they had already begun making travel arrangements for passengers weeks earlier. 'At that point, no one really expected anyone to get sick,' she commented. 'Everyone was very aware that we were all going to go home on commercial flights.' She described the six-week quarantine as 'a political stunt.' This story was translated from Spanish by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
HealthInteractive map tracks screwworm spread
The interactive map below tracks the spread of New World screwworm cases across Texas and New Mexico and will be updated as new information becomes available. As of June 21, 2026, the USDA has confirmed 15 total cases in the region, and quarantine zones are shifting as state officials respond. The map breaks down where
HealthBert Ogden Subaru donates blankets to cancer patients at DHR Health
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Cancer patients at DHR Health received a warm surprise and visit from Bert Ogden Subaru on Friday morning. The Subaru Loves to Care is an annual initiative that helps provide patients battling cancer with a warm blanket, patient care kits and messages of hope. "A lot of our patients feel very
HealthLocal program prepares for Alzheimer's awareness conference
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Cameron County Healthy Brain and Aging Program is prepared to host a conference in recognition of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. The conference will be held for attendees to connect with healthcare professionals and to bring awareness to brain diseases. "We're doing some really great work and some first steps,
HealthMass euthanasias: Screwworm could have deeper implications for Texa already-crowded animal shelters
The discovery of the New World screwworm in Texas has raised concerns among pet owners and animal shelters. With an already overcrowded shelter system, experts warn that mass euthanasias may occur if animals cannot be relocated from quarantine zones. The Texas Animal Health Commission has imposed quarantine orders in 13 counties to prevent the spread of the screwworm, which can infest any warm-blooded animal with an open wound. While efforts are underway to manage the outbreak, rural shelters, often underfunded, face significant challenges. Organizations like Austin Pets Alive are collaborating with shelters to transport animals and provide necessary care.
HealthTexas Launches Centralized Hub for New World Screwworm Resources and Updates
Governor Greg Abbott has launched a new website, screwworm.texas.gov, as part of Texas's efforts to combat the New World screwworm (NWS), which threatens livestock and wildlife. The site, part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal, provides essential resources including identification methods, maps, and training for inspectors. Abbott emphasized the importance of this tool for producers and veterinarians to detect and report NWS cases promptly. The initiative includes a $750 million investment in a sterile fly production facility in Edinburg and a statewide disaster declaration to enhance response efforts. Texans are encouraged to report any suspected cases immediately.
HealthBeloved KTEX DJ waits for second kidney transplant
Joe Cerda, known as JoJo on KTEX radio, is currently awaiting a second kidney transplant after his health has declined. He has been a prominent voice in the Rio Grande Valley for 20 years, sharing his journey to raise awareness about organ donation. JoJo's kidney issues began in 2013, leading to his first transplant in 2015. However, he is now back on dialysis, spending seven hours a day at home. JoJo emphasizes the importance of organ donation and is forming a support group for those on the transplant waitlist. A registration drive for organ donors is scheduled for June 19 in Weslaco.
HealthRaymondville ISD Health Clinic set to close its doors
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Raymondville Independent School District Health Clinic is set to close its doors in July. The decision to close the clinic was announced on Monday in a social media post. "As a health clinic, you need to have a certain amount of patients to be able to sustain. And at this
HealthFirst mRNA Flu Vaccine Receives Backing from FDA Panel
A new type of flu vaccine took a step closer to the U.S. market on Thursday after federal health advisors recommended approval for the first vaccine developed using the same mRNA technology that was crucial in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating Moderna's new injection, called mFlusiva, for older Americans ahead of the winter flu season. Moderna is seeking full approval for the vaccine for individuals aged 50 to 64, along with authorization for use in those aged 65 and older while conducting additional trials. The FDA's independent advisory committee reviewed Moderna's studies on the vaccine and unanimously voted that its benefits appear to outweigh any risks for both age groups. The FDA will consider this recommendation when making a final decision in early August. Tens of thousands of Americans die from influenza each year, with older adults among the most vulnerable. There are already several types of flu vaccines available in the U.S., including three specifically recommended for those aged 65 and older. However, vaccines made with mRNA technology—awarded the Nobel Prize—are produced more quickly than other types, which experts say could help if the constantly changing flu virus mutates in a way that suddenly requires new adjusted doses. 'Having this technology available puts us in a better position to be prepared for emerging strains in the future,' said Dr. Flor Muñoz-Rivas from Texas Children’s Hospital and one of the FDA advisors.
HealthNara Organics Infant Formula Withdrawn from Market
Due to a potential health risk for infants, the company has decided to withdraw its powdered infant formula made with whole milk from the market. Authorities recommend that parents and caregivers stop using the product immediately while the investigation related to the recall continues. Families are also advised to watch for possible symptoms in children, including constipation, difficulty feeding, weak crying, drooping eyelids, or breathing problems. Consumers can find additional information about the recall and refund procedures through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website or by contacting Nara Organics directly.
HealthTexas Secures $150M in New World Screwworm Mitigation Grants
Texas has secured approximately $105 million in grants from the USDA to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS) through innovative projects. Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the importance of these funds for Texas universities and research institutions, including Texas Tech University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, to enhance detection and eradication efforts. The initiative aims to empower local producers and protect the livestock industry. The USDA's Grand Challenge attracted 226 applications totaling $664 million, ultimately funding 40 projects. Texans are encouraged to monitor livestock and report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.