Latest News
2021 Suicide Report Released, Local Coalition Focuses on Prevention
If you’re struggling, or know someone who needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or text CO to 741741. BACKGROUND Suicide Prevention is a priority for Mesa County. An annual report is prepared in collaboration with Mesa County...
Tell Us: Mesa County Seeks Community Input for Priorities and Future Projects
This week Mesa County launched a community survey, known as Tell Us. Tell Us is a 15-minute survey for all adults in Mesa County. Mesa County Public Health Director, Jeff Kuhr, explained, “Our community members are our local experts. They know our community best and...
COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Younger Children, Mesa County Prepares for Distribution
Now all children, down to six months old, are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines on June 19th. Mesa County Public Health ordered Moderna and Pfizer vaccine in anticipation...
No Burn Advisory Issued Due to Critical Weather Conditions
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a No Burn Advisory from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 17. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag...
No Burn Advisory Extended Through June 14
**The No Burn Advisory is extended through Tuesday, June 14.** The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory for Mesa County. The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will result in critical fire weather...
No Burn Advisory on June 12 Due to Critical Weather Conditions
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on June 12. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Red...
COVID-19 Community Level Moves from Medium to High
BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a new tool to help individuals and families make choices to prevent COVID-19. Community Levels for a specific county can be rated as low, medium, or high. Recommendations for controlling risk...
COVID-19 Community Level Moves from Low to Medium
BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a new tool to help individuals and families make choices to prevent COVID-19. Community Levels for a specific county can be rated as low, medium, or high. Recommendations for controlling risk...
Food Safety Alert: Peanut Butter Recall for Select Jif® Products
BACKGROUND J. M. Smucker Co. is recalling select Jif® peanut butter products sold in the U.S. due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recalled peanut butter was distributed nationwide in retail stores and other outlets. This recall has expanded and it's been...
Whooping Cough Confirmed in Mesa County, Vaccination Best Tool for Prevention
BACKGROUND Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a bacteria. Whooping cough can be very dangerous for infants younger than a year old, as they are too young to be fully immunized against the illness. Even though...
Confirmed Wild Bird Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mesa County, Human Risk is Low
LOCAL SITUATION Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in wild great horned owls in Mesa County on May 19th. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, often referred to as bird flu, is a disease found in wild and domestic birds caused by the Avian Influenza A (H5N1)...
Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Moves Inside Main Public Health Clinic
COVID-19 COMMUNITY VACCINATION CLINIC Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has responded to demand in COVID-19 vaccines since December 2020, starting with the first phase of distribution to healthcare workers. Staff have given over 75,000 vaccinations over the last 17...
No Burn Advisory Due to High Winds
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 19. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind...
MCPH Launches New Program, Grand Valley Connects
BACKGROUND Grand Valley Connects began providing services this week to Mesa County individuals and families. This program is a resource hub containing experts on local services. These experts, called Resource Navigators, provide personalized referrals to services in...
No Burn Advisory Due to High Winds
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 11. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind...
No Burn Advisory Due to Strong Winds
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 8. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind...
No Burn Advisory Due to Strong Winds
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 7. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind...
2021-2022 Flu Activity Remains Low
The 2021-2022 influenza (flu) season officially began in early October and ends in late May. Typically, Mesa County experiences its peak flu activity from mid-February to late April. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) recorded more flu activity than the 2020-2021...
No Burn Advisory Due to Strong Winds
Contact: Alli Howe Call/Text: 970-697-4611 Email: healthinfo@mesacounty.us NO BURN ADVISORY DUE TO HIGH WIND CONDITIONS Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 29. Burning of any kind,...
Food Safety Alert: Ground Beef Products Recalled
Contact: Alli Howe Call/Text: 970-697-4611 Email: healthinfo@mesacounty.us FOOD SAFETY ALERT: GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS RECALLED DUE TO POSSIBLE E. COLI CONTAMINATION Background Mesa County Public Health has been made aware of ground beef products being recalled that could...
Highly Contagious Avian Influenza Spreading in Colorado
Background Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, often referred to as bird flu, is a disease found in wild and domestic birds caused by the Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus. Wild birds can be infected with bird flu and show no signs of illness. They can carry the disease...
No Burn Advisory Due to Adverse Weather Conditions
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 21. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag...
Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise in Western and Southwestern Colorado
Protect yourself with vaccination. If you are sick, test, treat and remain at home. Though COVID-19 cases are declining across Colorado, other respiratory infections continue to circulate. Reported cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, were very low in Colorado from...
No Burn Advisory Due to Adverse Weather Conditions
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued no burn advisory through 10 p.m. on April 19. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning...
Take Precautions Against Hantavirus and Plague Carried by Animals
TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST HANTAVIRUS AND PLAGUE CARRIED BY ANIMALS, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO HUMANS Hantavirus and plague are two illnesses to watch for as residents begin spring cleaning projects. Precautions are especially important while cleaning homes, sheds,...
No Burn Advisory Due to High Winds, Fire Safety Concerns
Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory from Monday, April 11 at 3 p.m. to Tuesday, April 12 at 6 a.m. due to expected high winds. The National Weather Service forecast calls for strong, gusty winds, with gusts of 40-50 mph in the valleys and 50-60+...
MCPH Releases COVID-19 Impact Report: A Special Report Complementing the Community Health Needs Assessment
Two years after the first COVID-19 case was identified, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is releasing a special report, complementing the Community Health Needs Assessment. The COVID-19 Impact Report is dedicated solely to the impacts of COVID-19 in Mesa County....
CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
Data continue to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit. The...
Community COVID-19 Response Reduction
Community COVID-19 Response Reduction Testing, Vaccination, Treatments, and Case Investigation Still Available Since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Mesa County in March 2020, public health, emergency services, and health care providers have worked in...
Early Childhood Education Provider Selected for Clifton Community Campus
Mesa County Public Health in collaboration with Mesa County and several community partners is pleased to announce the selection of a provider for a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center to be constructed on previously undeveloped land located at 3260 D 1/2 Road...
Spring Open Burn Season begins March 1
Spring Open Burn Season begins March 1 and runs through May 31 in Mesa County and through April 30 in the City of Grand Junction. Permits for everyone in the County (including those within city limits) are issued by Mesa County Public Health (MCPH). Residential Burn...
Free Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Tests Distributed at MCPH
FREE RAPID AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS DISTRIBUTED AT MCPH Limited supplies are available during regular business hours Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is distributing free rapid COVID-19...
Food Safety Alert: Certain Abbott Powdered Infant Formula Products
FOOD SAFETY ALERT: CERTAIN ABBOTT POWDERED INFANT FORMULA PRODUCTS BACKGROUND Abbott is recalling its Similac®, Alimentum ®, and EleCare® infant formula powders manufactured at its Sturgis, Mich. plant after four consumer complaints of infant illnesses with symptoms...
Community Health Needs Assessment Snapshot Highlights Recommendations for a Healthy Community
SNAPSHOT VERSION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT HIGHLIGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) released the 2021-2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in June and has just released a condensed Snapshot version of the...
MCPH Launches Text Notification for COVID-19 Cases with Electronic Case Investigation Survey
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is launching a new, online survey for COVID-19 case investigation. This streamlined process will make case investigation faster, easier, and more efficient for Mesa County residents. Case investigation is the process to determine...
Report Home COVID-19 Test Results to MCPH
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to elevate cases to new highs in Mesa County, COVID-19 testing is increasingly important. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) recommends a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms of COVID-19, including a cough, sore throat,...
Masking recommendations as Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads
MASKING RECOMMENDATIONS AS OMICRON VARIANT OF COVID-19 SPREADS The use of a face-covering over the nose and mouth is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. However, as the...
FOOD SAFETY ALERT: Dole-Branded and Private Label Packaged Salads
FOOD SAFETY ALERT: DOLE-BRANDED AND PRIVATE LABEL PACKAGED SALADS BACKGROUND The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released information about a recall on certain Dole-branded and private label packaged salads from two of its processing plants. The recall...
Mesa County Records Highest Daily COVID-19 Case Count Since the Beginning of the Pandemic
MESA COUNTY RECORDS HIGHEST DAILY CASE COUNT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC Caution Urged As Omicron Dominates Spread Locally Mesa County has seen a recent significant spike in COVID-19 transmission and cases. On January 9, 2022, 532 cases were reported. That is...
MCPH Releases 2021 Impact Report Showing Public Health Achievements
2021 Impact Report: The Power of Public HealthSince the COVID-19 pandemic began, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has been working tirelessly to inform and educate our community about the novel virus that has impacted us all in some way. As a result, when asked about...
CHNA
Community Health Needs Assessment Mesa County is Unique. Our Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is, too.Mesa County is unique in our collaborative approach to the community health needs assessment. Local non-profit hospitals and the public health agency release...
Air Quality Health Advisory through Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has issued an Air Quality Advisory through Saturday, January 8 at 6 p.m. Cold and stagnant weather conditions in the Grand Valley have allowed fine particulate matter concentrations to climb into the Moderate category on Saturday....
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Clinic Closes
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY THERAPY TREATMENT CLINIC CLOSES Treatment not effective against Omicron variant, which is predicted to be dominant strain in Mesa County The Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Clinic that opened nearly one month ago, located at 401 Kokopelli...
Public Health Emerging Issues: COVID-19 Update 12/30/21
COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE Latest COVID-19 data COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been decreasing for the past several weeks after a recent peak in November. Of Mesa County residents currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 90% are unvaccinated. ...
First Identified Cases of COVID-19 Omicron Variant in Mesa County
FIRST IDENTIFIED CASES OF COVID-19 OMICRON VARIANT IN MESA COUNTY Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has identified three Mesa County residents who have tested positive for the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Two individuals are under the age of 60 and one is a teenager. The...
First Mesa County Resident Hospitalized with Flu in 2021
MESA COUNTY RESIDENT HOSPITALIZED WITH FLU Mesa County has its first hospitalized influenza (flu) case in an adult male over the age of 60. The hospitalization is a reminder of all circulating viruses, in addition to COVID-19 that are impacting our healthcare system....
Capacity Remains Limited Across Mesa County Hospitals
CAPACITY REMAINS LIMITED ACROSS MESA COUNTY HOSPITALS Mesa County Hospitals and Public Health Urge Caution During the Winter Holiday Season As the winter holidays continue and families and friends gather to celebrate, Mesa County Public Health and local hospital...
Mesa County Records Deadliest Month for COVID-19
MESA COUNTY RECORDS DEADLIEST MONTH FOR COVID-19 Deaths in the last two months account for more than 30% of total deaths due to COVID-19 in Mesa County More than 16 months after the first Mesa County resident died of COVID-19, the coronavirus death toll...
MCPH Opening Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Clinic
MCPH OPENING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY THERAPY TREATMENT CLINIC All qualifying residents are able to schedule an appointment for the no-cost treatment through Mesa County Public Health; a doctors' referral is no longer required. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) in...
COVID-19 omicron variant confirmed in Colorado
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has confirmed its first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in Colorado. The case was identified in an adult female resident of Arapahoe County who had recently traveled to Southern Africa for tourism. She is experiencing minor symptoms and is isolated and recuperating at home. She had been fully vaccinated and was eligible for the booster vaccine but had not received it yet.
Increased Demand Prompts MCPH to Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hours
In recent weeks, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has seen increased demand for COVID-19 vaccine appointments for patients ages 5-11. Beginning December 1, 2021, MCPH’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic hours will expand to offer even more options and flexibility for those who...
What We Know About Emerging Variants: Omicron
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT EMERGING VARIANTS: OMICRON Mesa County is prepared and ready should the Omicron variant be identified in our community. Sequencing for this variant is occurring through the State lab as well as the contracted lab used by MCPH at the community...
FOOD SAFETY ALERT: POWDERED BEVERAGES RECALLED
BACKGROUND Mesa County Public Health has been made aware of food products being recalled that could have been distributed in Mesa County. If you have any of the below products, do not eat or drink them. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them. Select...
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you may be able to get monoclonal antibody treatment. This treatment can help keep you from getting seriously sick and keep you out of the hospital. The mobile mAb buses that were deployed across the state through...
Need a COVID-19 test before Thanksgiving travels? Plan ahead for a safe and healthy holiday
Before the holiday Individuals who wish to receive COVID-19 test results by Thursday, November 25th (Thanksgiving) should consider testing from Saturday, November 20th to Monday, November 22nd. Please note that the testing site at the Mesa County Fairgrounds is open...
MCPH Urges Additional Precautions as Holiday Gatherings Approach and COVID-19 and Influenza Circulate Putting Additional Strain on Local Hospitals
LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT Mesa County has seen a recent substantial increase in COVID-19 cases. This is in addition to the high transmission rate the county has experienced over the past month. In one week (Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, 2021), Mesa County’s positivity rate...
MPCH Accepting Appointments for COVID-19 Vaccination in Kids Aged 5-11
With approval from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and authorization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is now accepting appointments for pediatric patients, age 5-11 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19...
This is your sign
Your sign to get vaccinated isn't written in the sky. It's here. Now. Mesa County Public Health is launching a fresh campaign to engage our county in creative invitations to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.Write "This is your sign" on anything you can find. Get...
Fall Open Burn Season Ends Oct 31
Fall Open Burn Season ends two hours before dusk on Sunday, Oct. 31. Residents must use alternative options instead of burning. Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility...
MCPH Scheduling 1st, 2nd, Additional, and Booster Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) continues to offer appointments for COVID-19 vaccination and is now offering immediate scheduling for additional COVID-19 doses as well as booster doses for those populations who qualify. The online appointment scheduling system allows...