IDPS | Task Force

Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response

On October 6, 2014, Governor Rick Perry created the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response through Executive Order RP-79. The Task Force was composed of seventeen members, and included representatives from pertinent state agencies, as well as experts in infectious disease, emergency management, and in public health preparedness and response.

H.B. 2950, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, codified the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response in Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 81, Subchapter J. The Task Force is required to provide expert, evidence-based assessments, protocols, and recommendations related to state responses to infectious diseases, as well as serve as a source of information and education.

H.B. 2950 is created as an advisory panel to the Governor, and task force membership is determined by the Governor.

Learn More About the Committee and Activities

Current Members
- Governor's appointment notice (Gov.Texas.gov)
- Current Member Roster (PDF)
- Rapid Assessment Subcommittee Membership
  - John Hellerstedt, M.D.
  - Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
  - Nim Kidd
  - David Lakey, M.D.
  - James LeDuc, Ph.D.
  - Dorothy Overman, M.D.
  - Gerald Parker, D.V.M., Ph.D.
  - Cecile Young
Committee formation statute: Health and Safety Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter J
Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response January 2017 (PDF)

Past Meetings

All recorded webcasts

Sept. 21, 2021	Webcast Recording (Pending)	Agenda		COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Update (PDF)
June 29, 2021	Webcast Recording	Agenda		COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Legislative Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Update (PDF)
Apr. 13, 2021	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Legislative Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Update (PDF)
Jan. 8, 2021	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Update (PDF)
Dec. 7, 2020	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Update (PDF)
Oct. 19, 2020	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	Open Meetings Act Overview (PDF) COVID-19 Situation Update (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccination Plan (PDF)
Feb. 4, 2020	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	Introduction to the Upcoming Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise (PDF)
Oct. 3, 2018	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	Texas Ebola Treatment Centers and Assessment Hospitals (PDF) Health Advisory – Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – 5-21-2018 (PDF) Identify, Isolate, Inform: Emergency Department Evaluation and Management of Patients Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease (PDF) Texas Ebola Testing Process Algorithm (PDF) West Nile Virus and Other Arboviruses Affecting Texas (PDF) Hurricane Crisis Cooperative Agreement Overview (PDF) Hurricane Crisis Cooperative Agreement Funds Available to Local Entities (PDF) DSHS 86th Legislative Session Exceptional Items (PDF) 2018/2019 Flu Season Update (PDF)
Feb. 27, 2018	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	Hurricane Harvey Update (PDF) Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship (PDF) State of the State on Infectious Disease, 2017 (PDF) 2018 Notifiable Conditions List (PDF)
Nov. 16, 2016		Agenda	Approved Minutes	Agenda - Nov. 16, 2016 (PDF) Minutes - Nov. 16, 2016 (PDF) Presentation on Influenza (PDF) Presentation on Emerging Issues in Infectious Disease (PDF)
Aug. 8, 2016		Agenda	Approved Minutes	Public Health and Acute Emergency Care During Disasters in Texas: A Physician's Perspective (PDF) Texas Public Health and Medical Emergency Response (PDF) Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) and Infectious Disease Response Unit (IDRU) (PDF)
May 6, 2016		Agenda	Approved Minutes	Presentation on Emergency Response (PDF) Presentation on Infectious Disease Response (PDF) Presentation on Arbovirus – State Perspective (PDF) Presentation from Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (PDF) Presentation from Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department (PDF) Presentation from Wichita Falls –Wichita County Public Health District (PDF) Presentation on Public Health Communications (PDF) Public Comment – May 6, 2016 (PDF)
March 9, 2016	Webcast Recording	Agenda	Approved Minutes	Presentation on ID and the Texas Response System (PDF) Presentation on Open Government Compliance (PDF)

Contact Information

Email: TaskForceID@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 512-969-0428