Health
Health news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
HealthRestaurant with 'rat droppings' calls police on Food Patrol
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — To be a Food 4 Thought, ¡QUE RICO! Top Performer, a business must have a routine inspection report with zero health code violations. To be a Food 4 Thought ¡QUE ASCO! Investigation, a business must have a health code inspection report with violations that pose a health risk to consumers. Like an
HealthMother of Matthew Perry Criticizes Assistant in Overdose Case: 'He Paid the Consequences'
In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Matthew Perry's mother, Suzanne Morrison, condemned the actor's former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, claiming he enabled the addiction that led to her son's death in 2023. 'His primary responsibility was to ensure that Matthew remained what he wanted to be: drug-free,' Morrison wrote. 'But instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and covered up illegal drug use, first arranging one source of supply and then another.' Perry, 54, was found unresponsive in his hot tub and later determined to have died from an accidental ketamine overdose. In the months leading up to his death, Perry underwent several treatments for anxiety and depression, including ketamine infusion therapy. Prosecutors stated that he later developed a dependence on the treatment and sought additional doses. The Department of Justice reported that Iwamasa, 59, conspired with 41-year-old Jasveen Sangha, also known as the 'Ketamine Queen' of North Hollywood, 54-year-old Erik Fleming, and 42-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia, known as 'Dr. P' from Santa Monica, to illegally obtain and distribute ketamine to Perry.
HealthDoctors say woman in El Paso ICE detention center urgently requires surgery that she is being denied
Andrea Pedro Francisco, a 23-year-old Guatemalan woman detained at the Camp East Montana facility in El Paso, urgently needs surgery for an ovarian cyst that has caused her severe pain. After being detained by ICE in Minnesota on August 11, 2025, she was hospitalized but returned to detention without the necessary procedure. Despite recommendations from multiple doctors stating she is at high risk for complications, ICE has denied her surgery and outside medical evaluations. Advocates and family members are concerned about her deteriorating health, as her condition could lead to infertility or other serious complications if untreated.
HealthConsumer Reports: Tips to afford safe baby formula
Baby formula represents a significant cost for many families, especially those in the WIC program, which is essential for nutrition. Consumer Reports has tested 90 formulas for contaminants like lead and arsenic, finding that popular WIC options, Similac Advance and Enfamil Infant, have low levels of harmful substances. While WIC typically offers limited brands, parents can save money by shopping at wholesale retailers or using auto-delivery services. A proposed federal bill may allow WIC to contract with multiple manufacturers, potentially increasing choices and reducing shortages for families relying on this program.
HealthVanessa Trump, ex-daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, announces breast cancer diagnosis
Vanessa Trump, former wife of Donald Trump Jr., announced on Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and requested privacy as she focuses on her health and recovery. "I want to share a personal update about my health. I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this is not news anyone expects to receive, I am working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan," she said in a message on her Instagram account. She also thanked her doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week, without specifying the details.
HealthTexas Officials Urge Pet Owners to Watch for Screwworm Risks
Texas officials are warning pet owners about the risks posed by the New World screwworm, a parasite that can infect pets through open wounds. They advise checking pets for injuries after outdoor activities and seeking veterinary care if signs of infection appear. The Texas Animal Health Commission emphasizes the importance of wound care and regular monitoring to prevent infestations. Symptoms to watch for include non-healing wounds, unusual drainage, and visible larvae. Officials recommend limiting exposure to injury-prone areas and maintaining routine veterinary visits. Prompt reporting of suspected cases is crucial as Texas prepares for potential screwworm threats from Mexico.
HealthTexas Agencies Urge Ranchers to Monitor Animals as Screwworm Threat Nears Border
Texas agencies are urging ranchers and veterinarians to closely monitor livestock due to the threat of the New World screwworm, a parasite recently detected in northern Mexico. The Texas Animal Health Commission warns that this parasite can infect livestock, pets, and even humans through open wounds. Although it was eradicated in the U.S. in 1966, recent cases in Mexico raise concerns. The Texas Department of Agriculture has issued alerts and is coordinating with federal and Mexican authorities to prevent its spread. Ranchers are advised to inspect animals regularly and report any signs of infestation immediately.
HealthRio Grande Valley Officials Meet in Weslaco Over Flesh Eating Parasite Threat
Officials from the Rio Grande Valley met in Weslaco to address the threat of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite nearing the Texas border. The Texas Animal Health Commission reported confirmed cases in northern Mexico, prompting increased vigilance among local ranchers and animal owners. The parasite, which can infect livestock and, in rare instances, humans, was eradicated in the U.S. in 1966 but remains a concern due to its resurgence in Mexico. Authorities urged residents to report unusual wounds in animals and emphasized the importance of early detection and rapid response to prevent its spread into Texas.
HealthPalmview Family Prays for Recovery of 5-Year-Old Son After Pool Accident
An accident during a party changed the life of a family in the Rio Grande Valley after a five-year-old boy was seriously injured from a fall in a pool in Palmview. The child, identified as Elijah, remains hospitalized at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi after suffering a head injury from falling on the pool steps, according to his mother, Brianna Sandoval. "I wasn't there, they just called me and told me he fell off the steps and hit his head on the concrete, and they said they ran right away and left," the boy's mother said. Brianna Sandoval recalled that she was working at the time of the accident and it was the child's father who called emergency services. The mother explained that the child was experiencing episodes of consciousness and fainting before being transported for medical attention.
HealthValley group offers Medicaid, CHIP application assistance
A community organization in the Rio Grande Valley is assisting families in applying for Medicaid and CHIP health coverage. The Community Action Corporation of South Texas offers resources for completing applications and can send representatives to homes for direct support. Amanda Pineda, the Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator, provided insights to Channel 5 News. Families seeking assistance can reach out by calling 956-452-1420 or 361-238-4899 for more information.
HealthBrownsville FD Earns Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for 3rd Consecutive Year
The Brownsville Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for the third consecutive year. This award recognizes the department's commitment to delivering high-quality emergency medical care for critical situations like cardiac arrest and strokes. To achieve this honor, the department met rigorous national standards for emergency response, including quick symptom recognition and effective communication with hospitals. Interim City Manager Alan Guard praised the professionalism of the firefighters, while Chief Jarrett Sheldon highlighted the teamwork and dedication of the EMS personnel. The department also extends its services beyond city limits to Cameron County.
HealthU.S. Health Authorities Quarantine 2 Cruise Passengers Due to Hantavirus
U.S. health authorities announced on Tuesday that they have issued quarantine orders for two passengers from a cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak; both individuals are currently hospitalized in Nebraska. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in a release that the orders were signed by the agency's acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. The quarantined passengers are part of the 18 people who were on board the cruise and are now being evaluated in a special unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The other 16 passengers have been asked to remain at the center until May 31, according to the CDC.
HealthEbola Outbreak: WHO 'Deeply Concerned' About the Scale of the Epidemic in Congo
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern on Tuesday regarding the rapid spread of an Ebola-related virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Authorities reported at least 131 suspected deaths and over 500 potential cases. The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus, went undetected for weeks after the first known death. Health officials are investigating the connection between the deaths and suspected cases. The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency, urging coordinated responses as cases emerge in urban areas. Resources are being sent to affected provinces near Uganda, which has reported a related death.
HealthHumanitarian Parole Denied to Deported Parents of U.S. Citizen Girl with Brain Tumor
A mother deported from the U.S. has been denied humanitarian parole to return and care for her daughter, a U.S. citizen recovering from a rare brain tumor. After waiting over ten months for a response, the mother expressed her frustration, stating that her daughter's health has significantly declined since their deportation. The girl, now 12, has experienced severe seizures and deteriorating neurological functions, exacerbated by the lack of specialized medical care in Mexico. The family has received multiple rejection letters for their parole applications, which do not specify reasons. Advocates are working to support the family in seeking further options for medical treatment.
HealthJudges in the Region Prepare to Combat the New World Screwworm
Judges from Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, and Cameron counties held a conference in Weslaco to discuss preparations against the potential detection of the New World screwworm. This parasite has recently spread from Central America to Mexico and is approaching southern Texas. During the meeting at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, state agencies and organizations related to animal health and agriculture provided information on how to respond if a case is detected, how to identify potential cases, preventive measures in place, and coordinated response protocols. The New World screwworm larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and pets.
HealthWHO Declares Global Health Emergency Due to Deadly Ebola Outbreak in African Countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency on Sunday due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths reported. While the outbreak does not meet pandemic criteria like COVID-19, the WHO warned against closing international borders. A confirmed case was found in Kinshasa, 620 miles from the epicenter in Ituri province. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, with no approved treatments or vaccines. The WHO is mobilizing resources, but past responses have been inconsistent. The situation is complicated by ongoing conflict and migration in the region.
HealthWhere is hantavirus lurking in the U.S. and how to protect yourself? 'Hot spots' identified
A recent suspected hantavirus case in Illinois highlights the virus's presence in the U.S., although no cases are linked to the MV Hondius cruise outbreak. The Andes strain, which caused three deaths, has not been found in North America. The predominant strain, Sin Nombre, poses a serious health risk, particularly in Arizona, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas, where various rodent species are carriers. Experts warn that the risk of hantavirus infections may rise with warmer temperatures. To reduce exposure, the CDC recommends proper cleaning techniques for areas where rodents may have been present, emphasizing safety precautions during cleanup efforts.
HealthIce Cream Sold in Several States Withdrawn Due to Possible Contamination
Straus Family Creamery, based in California, is recalling several organic ice cream products sold in one-kilogram and quarter-gallon containers due to potential metal contamination. The FDA announced that the affected products were available in stores starting May 4 and include specific lots with 'best by' dates. No injuries have been reported. Consumers are advised not to eat the recalled ice cream and to dispose of it instead of returning it to stores. The recall affects 17 states, including Texas, and includes flavors like Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Cookie Dough, Dutch Chocolate, and Mint Chip with various expiration dates.
HealthBoil water notice lifted in Edinburg
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A boil water notice has been lifted in Edinburg, the city announced Friday night. According to the city of Edinburg, the boil-water notice was issued after a contractor working in the area struck and broke a main water line. The boil-water notice affected residents and businesses in the El Cibolo Road and