Feb. 24 Public Health Update

mumps outbreak in denver

Denver Public Health is investigating
an outbreak of six mumps cases among a group of Denver County residents and
health care personnel.
The outbreak can serve as a reminder
to residents to get vaccinated for the disease.
For prevention of mumps, two doses of
MMR vaccine are recommended routinely for children with the first dose at 12-15
months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
Two doses of MMR are also recommended
for adults at high risk, including international travelers, college and other
post high school students and health care personnel born during or after 1957.
All other adults born during or after
1957 without other evidence of mumps immunity should be vaccinated with one
dose of MMR vaccine.
Mumps is a viral infection that can
cause painful swelling of one or more of the salivary glands.
There is no post exposure treatment
for mumps infection. Receiving mumps vaccine after exposure will not prevent infection from that
exposure, but may prevent future infections.
Vaccines are available through the
Mesa County Health Department by appointment. Call 248-6900.

early spring cleaning could lead to hantavirus
exposure

Warm weather has many residents
started on spring cleaning projects, putting themselves at possible risk of
contracting Hantavirus.
Deer mouse urine, droppings and
nesting materials can carry Hantavirus.
Be aware that cabins, sheds, barns and
similar buildings can easily be infested with rodents.
Hantavirus is spread by breathing in
dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse urine and feces.
Preventive measures will help keep you
and your family healthy.

Air out outbuildings before cleaning
and DO NOT sweep or vacuum in areas
of potential contamination.
Use wet disinfectants for cleaning (1
part bleach to 10 parts water).
Wear gloves and masks when cleaning,
and double bag waste.
Employ rodent control measures
throughout the year.

Symptoms of Hantavirus can occur
between one and six weeks of exposure ad can include fever, headaches, muscle
aches, stomach problems, dizziness and chills.
Four to 10 days after the initial
phase of the illness, lungs may fill with fluid causing shortness of breath.
No vaccine or specific treatment
exists for Hantavirus. About 40 percent of those who contract Hantavirus die as
a result of the infection.
If you have Hantavirus symptoms,
contact your health care provider immediately.
Mesa County Health Department
investigates every reported case of Hantavirus to help prevent further
exposure.

head lice treatment

Several cases of head lice have been
reported to Mesa County Health Department.
Understanding how to properly treat
head lice the first time will prevent re-infestation.
Adult head lice are roughly the size
of a sesame seed and infest the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base
of the hair shaft.
Lice move by crawling; they cannot hop
or fly. Lice do not carry disease, but can cause secondary infections on skin.
Head lice infestation is spread most
commonly by close person-to-person contact. Dogs, cats and other pets do not play a role in the transmission
of human lice.
Use an over-the-counter or
prescription medication to treat head lice infestation and follow directions on
the label. Click here
for specific tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Head lice do not survive long if they
fall off a person and cannot feed.
These steps can help your family avoid
re-infestation by lice that have recently fallen off of the hair or crawled
onto clothing or furniture:

Soak combs and brushes in hot water
(at least 130°F) for five to 10 minutes.
Vacuum the floor and furniture.
Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through
the skin.