Texas DSHS sets up infectious disease consultation hotline for World Cup
Texas DSHS sets up infectious disease consultation hotline for World Cup
The Texas Department of State Health Services has set up a free hotline to help physicians and other clinicians navigate infectious disease concerns during the 2026 FIFA World Cup events.
The hotline — 866-213-3368 — will be available 24/7 through July 31, 2026. It is staffed with adult and pediatric infectious disease specialists with the University of Texas Health System who will provide clinical recommendations to treating physicians or other clinicians. Those staffing the hotline will recommend clinical or public health escalation when necessary.
“The hotline does not replace existing infectious disease consultation processes or the requirement to report suspected disease cases to public health. Treating physicians and clinicians retain clinical responsibility for all patient care decisions and responsibility for prompt notification to public health entities.”
Physicians can call the hotline and get support with:
- "Concerns about viral hemorrhagic fever (e.g., Lassa fever, Ebola) or high-consequence infectious disease (e.g., monkeypox, MERS, hantavirus)
- Diagnosis when evaluating a febrile patient with recent foreign or domestic travel
- Clinical management or treatment for a suspected travel-associated infection
- Antimicrobial resistance related to a recent traveler
- Severe respiratory illness with recent animal or travel exposures.”
Learn more about the hotline and other resources at the Texas DSHS World Cup information webpage.
The World Cup in Texas
Dallas and Houston are hosting multiple World Cup matches in June and July. There will also be large FIFA Fan Festival events in both cities.
These Texas cities will serve as basecamps for national teams:
- Austin — Saudi Arabia
- Frisco — Sweden
- Fort Worth — Czechia
- Houston — Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“During Texas match days, the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) will operate under a limited activation status, ready for a full activation if needed.
CHEPR and other DSHS programs are also working with local health departments to help strengthen and support epidemiologic surveillance and investigations. They are monitoring hospital and emergency services trends as well.”
Disclaimer
The Texas Department of State Health Services has set up a free hotline to help physicians and other clinicians navigate infectious disease concerns during the 2026 FIFA World Cup events.
The hotline — 866-213-3368 — will be available 24/7 through July 31, 2026. It is staffed with adult and pediatric infectious disease specialists with the University of Texas Health System who will provide clinical recommendations to treating physicians or other clinicians. Those staffing the hotline will recommend clinical or public health escalation when necessary.
“The hotline does not replace existing infectious disease consultation processes or the requirement to report suspected disease cases to public health. Treating physicians and clinicians retain clinical responsibility for all patient care decisions and responsibility for prompt notification to public health entities.”
Physicians can call the hotline and get support with:
- "Concerns about viral hemorrhagic fever (e.g., Lassa fever, Ebola) or high-consequence infectious disease (e.g., monkeypox, MERS, hantavirus)
- Diagnosis when evaluating a febrile patient with recent foreign or domestic travel
- Clinical management or treatment for a suspected travel-associated infection
- Antimicrobial resistance related to a recent traveler
- Severe respiratory illness with recent animal or travel exposures.”
Learn more about the hotline and other resources at the Texas DSHS World Cup information webpage.
The World Cup in Texas
Dallas and Houston are hosting multiple World Cup matches in June and July. There will also be large FIFA Fan Festival events in both cities.
These Texas cities will serve as basecamps for national teams:
- Austin — Saudi Arabia
- Frisco — Sweden
- Fort Worth — Czechia
- Houston — Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“During Texas match days, the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) will operate under a limited activation status, ready for a full activation if needed.
CHEPR and other DSHS programs are also working with local health departments to help strengthen and support epidemiologic surveillance and investigations. They are monitoring hospital and emergency services trends as well.”
Disclaimer
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