Mission Statement
To protect and prepare our community by developing the capacity of the local public health system to respond to a bioterrorism event, infectious disease outbreak, and any other public health emergency.
Public Health Preparedness Program (PHPP) is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services to perform disease surveillance and public health emergency preparedness activities in support of the PHEP Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The PHPP team works with local partners to build and strengthen the abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious disease, natural disasters and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological event; to assisting with planning, training and exercise efforts to respond to any emergency events.
Key Program Components
Public health responses
• Monitoring of community-wide activities
• Epidemiology surveillance and investigation
• Community assessments
• Rapid notification and alert
• Mass prophylaxis and vaccination
• Drills and exercises
• Competency-based training
• Community outreach
• Education
Epidemiology & Surveillance
Epidemiology is the study of health in populations to understand the causes and patterns of health and illness. The PHPP Epidemiology team conducts surveillance and performs epidemiological investigations to follow disease trends, assess the risk of exposure, discover common sources of illness, and implement effective preventive measures.
Clinicians, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and schools are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition to their local health department. To report a case(s) to Cameron County Public Health, you must fill out an EPI-1 Form and include all lab results along with any medical records. Forms can be emailed to ccphepi@co.cameron.tx.us or faxed to 956-361-8296.
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• Texas Notifiable Conditions List
• CCPH EPI-1 Form
• Varicella Reporting Form
• CCPH COVID-19 Reporting Form
• CCPH Monkeypox Reporting Form
You can call Cameron County Public Health at 956-247-3625 for immediate notification.
Cameron County Public Health Educators/Epidemiologists are available to provide informational presentations or training sessions on various health-related topics. Our trainings may qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and offer certificates of completion.
Presentations conducted by PHEP staff include:
- Communicable Diseases in Children
- Diseases and How to Avoid Them
- School Nurse Trainings -Influenza
- Infectious Diseases -Disease Reporting
- Hurricane Preparedness
For more information or to schedule a session, please contact us at 956-247-3650.
Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
The Cameron County Public Health Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a nationally sponsored repository of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical materials/supplies that are available to protect our communities during a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, natural or technological disasters) that is severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Our SNS program has predetermined distribution sites throughout the county, allowing for the efficient distribution of life-saving vaccines, medicines, and supplies within a 48-hour window. Cameron County has partnerships and plans with local school districts, hospitals, clinics, and businesses in order to facilitate emergency distribution operations.
SNS Partnerships
• Texas Military Department
• Department of State Health Services Region 11
• Cameron County Independent School District(s)
• Cameron County Emergency Management
• Cameron County Municipalities
Regional SNS Exercise
Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) is a full-scale exercise of our medical countermeasure plans. Cameron County partners with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas State Guard, school districts, and local schools/organizations to provide free medical services to our community. As part of our planning, Cameron County rotates between different SNS distribution sites to practice our plans.
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
The ERT is a community-based system to organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies, and promote healthy living year-round. ERT volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members—interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others—can fill key support positions.
Interested in becoming volunteering? Contact us at 956-247-3625.
Video Resource
PHPP Contact Information
Ashley Gomez, PHPP Director
956-247-3627
ashley.gomez@co.cameron.tx.us
Raquel Castillo, Lead Epidemiologist
956-247-3602
rcastillo@co.cameron.tx.us
Layda Rincon, Epidemiologist
956-247-3634
layda.rincon@co.cameron.tx.us
Stephanie Martinez, Epidemiologist
956-247-3637
stephanie.martinez@co.cameron.tx.us
Aaron Balderrama, Epidemiologist
956-247-3630
aaron.balderrama@co.cameron.tx.us
Adrian Barbosa, SNS Coordinator
956-247-3624
adrian.barbosa01@co.cameron.tx.us
Emily Cepeda, Preparedness Specialist
956-247-3629
emily.cepeda@co.cameron.tx.us
Brittney Paredes, Clerk
956-247-3625
brittney.paredes@co.cameron.tx.us
