Task Force on Infectious Disease (IDTF) Preparedness and Response Meeting Agenda

This meeting will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person at the address above or access a live stream of the meeting at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the Moreton M-100 Live on the date and time for this meeting. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

This meeting will also be conducted via videoconference call in accordance with the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. The member of the Task Force presiding over the meeting will be physically present at the location specified above.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

1. Call to Order
2. Consideration of October 30, 2023, draft meeting minutes
3. Opening Remarks
4. Congenital Syphilis update
5. Respiratory Viruses update
6. Rabies Surveillance update
7. Public Comment
8. Closing Remarks and Adjourn

The Task Force may take any action on any agenda item.

Public Comment: The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to the Task Force on Infectious Disease. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment may choose from the following options:

1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the meeting by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/IDTF_PCReg_Oct2024 no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the meeting with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Public comment is limited to three minutes. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and, on whose behalf, they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the meeting, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed by HHS staff to IDTF members and State staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to TaskForceID@dshs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the meeting, but handouts will be provided to IDTF members and State staff.
    
2. Written comments: Members of the public may provide written public comments by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/IDTF_PCReg_Oct2024. A member of the public who   wishes to provide written public comments must email the comments to TaskForceID@dshs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments must be emailed to DSHS immediately after pre-registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by   11”, one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the meeting, but comments will be provided to IDTF members and State staff.
    
3. Oral comments provided in-person at the meeting location: Members of the public may provide oral public comment during the meeting in person at the meeting location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the meeting room. Do not 
   include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to: Austin Bailey, Office of the Chief State Epidemiologist Division, E-mail: TaskForceID@dshs.texas.gov.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting. People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Austin Bailey, DSHS, at TaskForceID@dshs.texas.gov at least 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements may be made.