Local health officials are continuing to see elevated levels of seasonal illnesses, and are preparing for cases of measles that could present in the community as spring break crowds arrive.
On Tuesday evening, Pagosa Springs Medical Center CEO Dr. Rhonda Webb told the board of the Upper San Juan Health Service district (USJHSD, which oversees the medical facility) the facility has seen more RSV this year than in the last seven years.
Webb indicates in a Wednesday email to The SUN the medical facility is also seeing a lot of flu.
Flu levels remained very high in Colorado for the week ending Feb. 15 (the most recent data available), according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Archuleta County Public Health Department (ACPHD) echoed the sentiment of the recent high numbers of RSV and flu in our community in a Wednesday press release.
The ACPHD press release also indicates that vaccines remain available.
ACPHD, as well as other health care facilities in the community, offers immunization services for measles (the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine), RSV (for infants), flu and high-dose flu (for those 65+).
If you have any questions about these vaccinations, the ACPHD recommends talking to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.
You can also reach out to ACPHD with questions about vaccinations or health concerns by calling (970) 264-2409, visiting archuletacounty.org/publichealth or emailing Berklee Ruthardt at bruthardt@archuletacounty.org.
Measles
Local health officials are also preparing for the possible appearance of measles in the community as spring break begins in neighboring states.
According to the ACPHD press release, there are reports of outbreaks in both Texas and New Mexico.
Webb also reported to the USJHSD board Tuesday evening that PSMC staff are preparing for patients with measles symptoms over spring break.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus, the ACPHD press release states. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially for babies and young children.
It notes measles symptoms include high fever; cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a rash which begins at the face and spreads down the body.
It further adds that the measles virus travels through the air. A sick person can spread measles by coughing, sneezing, breathing or talking. People can get measles when they breathe air with the measles virus, or if they get the virus on their hands touch and their face. Measles can stay in the air for up to two hours, so people can get measles even after a sick person has left the area.
The MMR vaccine is the strongest protection against measles, according to the ACPHD.
Children normally get the MMR vaccine at 1 and 4 years of age, according to the ACPHD. Most people who get measles in the United States are unvaccinated. Those who were not vaccinated against measles as a child can get the MMR vaccine as an adult.
If you have any questions about measles vaccination, the ACPHD encourages talking to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.
