Flu season will soon get underway in Mesa County. The flu vaccine is now available at Mesa County Public Health for anyone in the community ages six months old and older. Flu season runs from October through May, with cases typically peaking in January and February....

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022: There is a second confirmed case of West Nile virus in Mesa County. Local Situation For the first time this season, a human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Mesa County. A male in his 60s has been diagnosed with neuroinvasive...

VACCINE CLINIC The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hosting a free vaccine clinic for monkeypox in Grand Junction: Pride Fest on Sunday, September 11th 1pm - 6pm Main St. and 6th St. Register here. Those who receive their first dose of...

Appointments are now open for the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster at Mesa County Public Health. Anyone over the age of 12, who has completed their primary vaccination series or last booster at least two months prior, is eligible to receive the booster.  Last month, Mesa...

Mesa County Public Health is preparing to offer the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster vaccine. It has been formulated to fight against the Omicron variants that have spread throughout the U.S. In Mesa County, nearly all of the current COVID-19 cases involve the BA.5 Omicron...

On August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance for persons exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Individuals who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 are no longer recommended to quarantine, regardless of vaccination...

LOCAL SITUATION Mesa County Public Health has received Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine and is ready to administer to the community. This vaccine is for residents who have not been previously vaccinated for COVID-19. To schedule an appointment, call 970-248-6900.  ...

LOCAL & STATE SITUATION For the first time this season, West Nile virus has been confirmed in a mosquito sample in Mesa County. The Grand River Mosquito Control District collected the mosquitoes from the Fruita area the week of July 18-22. The type of mosquito...

As families prepare for children to head back to the classroom, getting caught up on routine vaccinations may be on the checklist.  To help, Mesa County Public Health is hosting a Back-to-School Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, August 6th from 9 AM to 12 PM. This is a...

LOCAL & STATE SITUATION In Mesa County, ten animals, both domestic and wild, have been submitted for rabies testing so far in 2022. At this point, there have been no positive results. On average, about 30 animals are tested for rabies every year in Mesa County....

Starting next year, Mesa County four year olds will be eligible for ten free hours of licensed preschool per week. Bill 22-1295 was signed into law promoting better coordination of early childhood services and school readiness in Colorado. The partnering facilities...

LOCAL & STATE SITUATION There is one presumptive case of monkeypox in Mesa County. The individual is a male and local exposure is limited. Local healthcare and public health are working to ensure all impacted individuals have access to treatment and post-exposure...

BACKGROUND Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. This virus is in the same family of viruses as smallpox. Symptoms are similar to smallpox, but less severe. They begin with flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, and...

Parents are a core part of the workforce and child care is essential economic infrastructure. To assist families and child care facilities, The Partnership for Children and Families (PCF), Mesa County’s early childhood council, launched BridgeCare last week....

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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+...

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 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...

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 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 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 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...

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...

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...

  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 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  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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...