Public Health Emerging Issues Dec. 1, 2016

mesa county hospitalized influenza case

Mesa County saw its first
hospitalized influenza case of the 2016-17 season for the week ending
Nov. 19, 2016 in an adult female.
Data from Primary Care Partners show similar
numbers for the percentage of clinic visits for influenza-like illness for the
week ending Nov. 26, 2016, compared to the same period last year.
Area emergency departments are not
reporting increased visits for influenza-like illness.
Since the beginning of October, Mesa
County has had four lab-confirmed cases of flu (all of which were identified as
influenza type A).
As of Nov. 19, there were 32
reported influenza hospitalizations in Colorado.
For a summary of influenza activity
in Colorado, click here.
Flu season typically runs from October
through May, so it’s not too late to get immunized.
Mesa County Health Department’s Public
Health Clinic, 510 29 ½ Road in Grand Junction, offers flu immunization.

Body art inspection certification ensures
sanitation, safety and health

Mesa County Health Department has seen
an increase in body art establishments operating without a certificate of
inspection.
Body art includes piercings, tattoos,
branding, sculpting, scarification and permanent cosmetics.
Establishments must meet minimum
requirements to ensure safe and sanitary practices to receive their certificate
of inspection from a Mesa County Health Department official.
Body art procedures have the potential
to expose artists and clients to bodily fluids that could be infected with bloodborne
pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus or human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some of these diseases are permanent and can be
fatal.
Ask your body artist to show his or
her proper certification prior to your procedure.
Some permanent makeup establishments
are supervised by physicians and are not regulated by the Mesa County Health
Department.
Mesa County currently has 14 certified
body art establishments. Click here to
view a list of certified establishments.
If you’re aware of an artist operating
without certification, contact Mesa County Health Department at (970) 248-6900
with an address or phone number for the artist.
If you’re an artist and would like to
receive your certificate of inspection, call (970) 248-6900.