Mesa County Health Department issues a Public Health Update each week to keep residents up-to-date on local health concerns. Be sure to keep up with our blog, so you don’t miss an update.
Salmonella
infections linked to backyard flocks
·        
Four multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections have been linked
to live poultry in backyard flocks. Outbreaks have been reported in 40 states,
including Colorado.
·        
Eighty-six percent of those who were interviewed
claimed contact with live poultry the week before their illness began.
·        
Many Mesa County residents keep backyard flocks
and should take precautions to avoid getting sick. Even organically fed poultry
can have Salmonella.
·        
Chicks, ducklings and other live poultry can
carry Salmonella in their droppings
and on their bodies (feathers, feet and beaks), even when they appear to be
healthy and clean.
·        
Persons with Salmonella
infection may develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 – 72 hours after
infection. The illness usually lasts 4 – 7 days.
·        
Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where the birds live
and roam.
·        
Do not let live poultry inside the house and do
not snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live
poultry.
·        
Mesa County Health Department investigates cases
of Salmonella in the county.
vaccinate
before school begins
·        
School will be in session in less than a month.
Now is the time to make sure kids are up-to-date on vaccinations.
·        
DTaP/Tdap are required for all School District
51 students. State law requires parents to provide updated immunization records
at school registration and throughout the year.
·        
DTaP/Tdap protect against diphtheria, tetanus
and pertussis (whooping cough), which can be deadly.
·        
Whooping cough has been on the rise in Mesa
County for several years, with 18 cases reported in 2014. Statewide, pertussis tripled
between 2011 and 2014.
·        
Vaccines protect you and our community. There
are certain populations such as very young children, or those with certain
medical reasons, who cannot be vaccinated.
·        
Immunization schedules can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-adolescent.html.
·        
Mesa County Health Department offers
vaccinations and serves all patients, regardless of inability to pay. Call (970)
248-6900 to make an appointment, or contact your health care provider.
·        
The Health Department will host walk-in
immunization clinics from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on July 22 & 23. Bring your
immunization records for faster service.
For more
information, visit
health.mesacounty.us and mesacountyhealth.com.