Health
Health news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
HealthPopular Snacks Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Dozens of snacks and popular treats are part of a significant market recall due to salmonella, as a specific ingredient poses potential contamination risks. This has led to the removal of multiple products from supermarket shelves, including popcorn, chips, nuts, and others. The recall is linked to powdered milk supplied by California Dairies, which is used in various branded products and snacks, particularly in seasonings. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the potentially contaminated powdered milk and whey were voluntarily recalled on April 20. As of Friday, at least a dozen products related to the recall have been affected, although more may be announced. In most cases, the products were sold at retailers and supermarkets nationwide. The FDA also recently announced a separate salmonella recall affecting 12 varieties of the popular Spring & Mulberry chocolate, although it appeared to be linked to a date supplier. It was not immediately clear if there was any connection to the California Dairies recall.
HealthPharr and Alton to spray for mosquitoes after heavy rain
PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Following heavy rain across the Rio Grande Valley over the weekend, the cities of Pharr and Alton announced that workers will spray for mosquitoes. According to a news release from the city of Pharr, the public health department will conduct routine mosquito spraying on Monday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., weather
HealthWhat to know about hantavirus, the illness linked to a cruise ship outbreak
An outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in three deaths and several illnesses among passengers. Health officials assert that the risk to the general public is low, as hantavirus does not spread easily between people. The Andes virus, responsible for this outbreak, may have originated from a birdwatching trip in Ushuaia, Argentina. Symptoms of hantavirus include fever, chills, and muscle aches, and can escalate to severe respiratory issues. While infections are rare, the CDC reported 229 cases and 59 deaths in the Americas in 2025. Preventive measures focus on reducing contact with rodents and their droppings.
HealthMcAllen Pregnancy Center Appoints Connie W. Coleman as CEO
The McAllen Pregnancy Center has appointed Connie W. Coleman as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, following her interim leadership since August 2025. Coleman, a well-known nonprofit consultant and pro-life advocate, has been instrumental in strengthening the organization’s operations, strategic planning, and donor development in the Rio Grande Valley. The Board of Directors unanimously approved her appointment after a thorough evaluation process. Board President Justice Ysmael Fonseca expressed enthusiasm for Coleman’s leadership, emphasizing her experience and vision as vital for the Center's growth and outreach to vulnerable community members.
HealthFamily Mourns Kevin in Mexico After Losing Battle with Cancer
The pain of a family crosses borders following the death of 18-year-old Kevin González, who passed away on Sunday in Durango, Mexico, after a battle with colon cancer. His death occurred on Mother's Day, less than 24 hours after reuniting with his parents, whom he had not seen for weeks as his health deteriorated. His parents traveled for hours and faced obstacles, including detention in Arizona after crossing the border, in an attempt to reach Chicago to care for him. They finally managed to reunite with him in Durango on Saturday. The young man had been diagnosed with colon cancer in January, and within just four months, the disease progressed rapidly. His brother, Jovany Ramírez, recalled their last moments together. 'When I said I love you, that I miss you, that I want my little brother to wake up, I said that too, and it was then when... I saw him face down,' Ramírez said.
HealthDHR Health Hosts Third Annual Symposium Focused on Wound Care Treatment
DHR Health hosted its third annual wound care symposium on May 9 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The event gathered healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, to discuss standards and evidence-based practices for treating difficult wounds. Dr. Noel Oliveira, director of the Wound Care Center, noted that this year's symposium focused exclusively on wound care, a shift from previous years that covered broader medical topics. Notable speakers included Dr. Jayesh Shah, former president of the Texas Medical Association, and Dr. Lawrence Lavery, a podiatric medicine expert from UT San Antonio.
Health3 cruise passengers test positive or have symptoms of hantavirus after evacuation
A French woman and two Americans tested positive or showed symptoms of hantavirus Monday as nations around the world scrambled to repatriate passengers from a cruise ship hit by an outbreak and quarantine or isolate them.
HealthU.S. Passengers from Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Have Arrived in the U.S.
Seventeen American passengers from the Hondius cruise, affected by hantavirus, have returned to the U.S. A State Department plane landed at Eppley Airport in Omaha, Nebraska, around 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Passengers will be evaluated and monitored at a nearby medical center. One passenger tested positive for the virus, while another with mild symptoms will be transferred for treatment. Spanish health authorities reported that the positive result was considered weak and inconclusive. Meanwhile, a French passenger repatriated to Paris has also tested positive, worsening overnight in the hospital. The cruise had six confirmed cases and two suspected cases of hantavirus.
HealthOne person in the U.S. tests positive for hantavirus after disembarking from affected cruise
A U.S. passenger aboard a cruise ship has tested positive for hantavirus, prompting health officials to take action. The individual was among 17 Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius, which docked in the Canary Islands. One passenger is asymptomatic, while another has mild symptoms. They were flown to Nebraska for evaluation at a specialized medical center. A French woman evacuated from the same cruise also tested positive and is in serious condition. The World Health Organization has advised close monitoring of all passengers, emphasizing that the general public should not panic, as the risk of transmission is low.
HealthKevin González Passes Away One Day After Reuniting with His Parents
Kevin González, an 18-year-old battling terminal cancer, passed away just one day after reuniting with his parents, who were released from immigration custody in the U.S. His aunt and brother confirmed his death to NBC Chicago/Telemundo Chicago on Sunday evening. Earlier in the week, a judge ordered the expedited release of Kevin's parents so they could meet him in Mexico. Kevin, a U.S. citizen from Chicago, was diagnosed with colon cancer that spread to his stomach and lungs. His parents had attempted to cross the border but were detained by ICE agents in Arizona. They were ultimately reunited in Durango, Mexico, after a public appeal for their release.
HealthPassengers Begin Disembarking from Cruise Affected by Hantavirus
Passengers began disembarking from the MV Hondius cruise ship on Sunday after a hantavirus outbreak was reported while the ship was anchored off Tenerife, Spain. Authorities confirmed that none of the over 140 individuals aboard showed symptoms of the virus. Evacuated passengers will be flown to Madrid for quarantine at a military hospital. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths and five confirmed infections. Passengers will leave behind their luggage, taking only essential items. Various countries, including the U.S. and the Netherlands, are coordinating evacuation flights for their citizens, while health officials monitor the situation closely.
HealthUS Prepares to Receive Several Americans Possibly Exposed to Hantavirus
The United States has entered emergency response mode as a cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak sails toward Tenerife—one of Spain's Canary Islands—where it will evacuate nearly 150 passengers on board, including at least 17 Americans. State and local health authorities in the US are monitoring at least eight passengers who disembarked on April 24 and returned home. For now, these individuals have not been advised to isolate, as they have not developed symptoms. Starting Sunday, global health authorities will assist in transporting passengers who remain on the ship—all of whom are currently asymptomatic—to their respective home countries. The passengers will be taken to an area in Tenerife that will be 'completely isolated and cordoned off'; they will then board escorted vehicles to be transported to a section of the local airport that will also be cordoned off, according to Virginia Barcones, head of emergency services in Spain, during a press conference on Thursday.
HealthTexas A & M AgriLife event to offer free well water screening in Weslaco
Texas A&M AgriLife will host a free event in Weslaco on June 23, 2026, to test well water and soil quality for residents of the Rio Grande Valley. This initiative aims to ensure the safety of well water, as many locals depend on private wells. Aaron Alanis, a rancher from Santa Rosa, shared his concerns about the quality of his well water, which he uses without treatment. Samantha Colunga from the Texas Water Resources Institute emphasized the importance of understanding water quality, as surface activities can impact groundwater. Residents are encouraged to participate in this screening event to assess their water and soil health.
Health“This is not another COVID”: WHO addresses Tenerife ahead of imminent arrival of cruise ship affected by Hantavirus
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured the people of Tenerife, Spain, about the arrival of a cruise ship with a hantavirus outbreak, stating, "This is not another COVID." He emphasized that the current public health risk from hantavirus remains low and that no passengers are showing symptoms. Tedros is traveling to the island to oversee the evacuation operation, which includes transporting passengers to a designated port in sealed vehicles, away from residential areas. He noted that the decision to request Spain's assistance was based on international health regulations.
HealthOn the cruise ship hit by hantavirus, some fear what awaits them at home
Passengers aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak, are concerned about their reception upon returning to Spain. Many fear being stigmatized as potential carriers of the virus, despite health officials emphasizing the low risk of transmission. The World Health Organization has clarified that hantavirus is not easily spread between people, contrasting it with COVID-19. Some Spanish politicians have expressed unease about the ship's arrival, while passengers maintain a calm routine on board, engaging in activities while adhering to safety measures. Disembarkation could begin as early as Sunday.
HealthConsumer Reports: Ready to try digital minimalism?
A recent survey reveals that Americans check their phones nearly 200 times a day and spend over four hours daily on them, leading to feelings of addiction for nearly half of respondents. Consumer Reports warns that excessive screen time negatively impacts mental health, contributing to poor sleep, increased stress, and reduced attention spans. To combat this, experts suggest starting with small changes, such as taking short breaks from phones, limiting access to distracting apps, and muting nonessential notifications. Engaging in alternative activities like reading or exercising can also help reduce screen time and improve overall well-being.
HealthNational Nurses Week: STHS Children's Hospital's Stephanie Flores
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Nurses Week runs through May 12, and ValleyCentral continues to highlight the men and women who have answered the call of healthcare. For new parents, there's nothing more comforting than knowing your child's health is in good hands. RELATED: School nurse’s dedication impacting generations of students At South Texas Health System's
HealthOver 100 Fall Ill After Norovirus Outbreak on Caribbean Cruise
More than 100 passengers and crew members fell ill with norovirus aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship that departed from Fort Lauderdale, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In total, 102 passengers and 13 crew members reported being sick on the Caribbean Princess, the CDC said. In response, the ship has reinforced cleaning and disinfection procedures, authorities indicated. The cruise left Port Everglades on April 29 and is scheduled to arrive in Port Canaveral on May 11. The cases represent approximately 3.3% of the 3,116 passengers and 1.2% of the crew on board, according to the CDC.
HealthWhat is Unknown About the Hantavirus Outbreak Following the Cruise Incident
Countries around the world are preparing to manage the situation involving 140 passengers and crew members aboard a cruise ship affected by hantavirus, which is heading to the Canary Islands. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Spanish island of Tenerife, off the coast of West Africa, in the early hours of Sunday. At least three passengers have died, and several others have been infected. Hantavirus is typically spread through inhalation of contaminated rodent droppings, with symptoms usually appearing between one and eight weeks after exposure. The World Health Organization states that the risk to the general public from the outbreak is low, but the Andes virus, implicated in the cruise outbreak, could potentially be transmitted between people in rare cases.