Public Health Emerging Issues Jan. 12, 2017

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range measles case could have exposed holiday travelers

The Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is warning of possible
exposure to an individual with measles from Dec. 21 – 29 who was at a wide
variety of locations in the Denver-Boulder area. Click here
for a list of locations.
The
individual was not immunized against measles and had traveled internationally.
Many Mesa
County residents were traveling during this time due to the holiday season and
should check the list if they, or any of their family members, aren’t immunized
against measles or begin to show symptoms.
Measles is a
highly contagious respiratory illness that can be spread by coughing and
sneezing.

It can be
very dangerous for infants who are too young to be immunized, people with
weakened immune systems and those who have not been immunized.
Serious
complications can occur, including pneumonia and swelling of the brain.

Symptoms,
including fever, runny nose, red eyes that are sensitive to light and coughing,
typically begin seven to 14 days after
exposure, but may take 21 days to appear.
Two to four
days after the first symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to
the rest of the body.

A person
with measles is contagious for four days before and up to four days after the
rash appears.

Children as
young as six months old can receive the measles, mumps & rubella (MMR)
immunization. Review your child’s
immunization records to ensure your child has received the MMR immunization.
If you have
symptoms of measles, call your health care provider. Do not go inside the
doctor’s office or hospital, as you risk spreading the disease.

Flu
hospitalizations continue to increase

Mesa County
has had 22 influenza hospitalizations since Oct. 21, 2016. Cases ranged in age
from residents younger than one year to 86 years with a median age of 66 years,
and 72 percent of cases occurred in females.
No deaths
due to influenza among children younger than 18 years old have been reported so
far this season in Mesa County.
Data from
Primary Care Partners show the percentage of clinic visits for influenza-like
illness for the week ending Jan. 7 are increased in comparison to the same
period last year.
As of Dec.
31, there were 323 reported influenza hospitalizations reported in Colorado.
For a
summary of influenza activity in Colorado, check out the state’s report here.
Flu season
typically runs from October through May, so it’s not too late to get immunized.
Mesa County Health Department offers flu immunization on a sliding
scale basis. Call 248-6900 to make an appointment or contact your health care
provider.