As of 11:30 a.m., the Mesa County Health Department Functional Exercise has ended. THIS WAS ONLY A DRILL. In the event of a real emergency, information will be pushed via this Joint Information Center blog.
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THIS IS ONLY A DRILL.
Local public health agencies have reached out to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for medical supplies.
CDPHE has requested resources from the Strategic National Stockpile.
Federal agencies have offered and will be providing support through the VA system.
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Local health officials have announced that they have confirmed an outbreak of pneumonic plague. To this point, 102 people have been hospitalized and 12 people who exhibited plague-like symptoms have died.
So far, four of six cases have tested positive for plague, a contagious illness that can spread through the air.
Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness and rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough and sometimes bloody or watery sputum. The pneumonia progresses for two to four days and may cause respiratory failure and shock. Without early treatment, patients may die.
Early treatment of pneumonic plague is essential. Antibiotics should be given as soon as possible. To reduce the chance of death, antibiotics should be given within the first 24 hours of symptoms.
Antibiotic treatment for seven days will protect people who have had direct, close contact with infected patients. If available, wear a tight-fitting surgical mask. Masks are available at triage locations that have been set up throughout the county.
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Effective immediately, local public health officials are requesting the cancellation of any large events planned for the following week.
Contagious communicable disease is easily spread.
In addition, those exhibiting symptoms of high fever, chills or exhaustion should refrain from visiting a hospital or health care center. Instead, six triage locations have been set up around the county – two in Fruita, three in Grand Junction and one in Palisade. If available, please wear a face mask.
Call Western Colorado 211 for the latest information.
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Hospitals have reached capacity and are treating patients with the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Mesa County Valley School District 51 has canceled school for the next seven days.
Officials from the Mesa County Health Department, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and local hospitals are working together to determine the cause.
A press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 ½ Road. MCHD executive director Jeff Kuhr and Mesa County Valley School District 51 Superintendent Steve Schultz will speak at the conference.
Community members exhibiting any of these symptoms should contact their primary care physician and stay home from work or school.
For the latest information, visit the JIC blog – www.mesacountyjic.com – or call Western Colorado 211 by dialing 211 or 970-244-8400.
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The Mesa County Health Department is working with CDPHE to determine the cause of the illness. Local hospitals have reached capacity. Those exhibiting similar symptoms should contact their primary care physicians.
More information will be released as soon as possible.
Law enforcement is not involved in this incident.
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At this time, hospitals and health care facilities are receiving an influx of patients with the following symptoms:
- high fever
- chills
- exhaustion
Hospitals are working closely with the Mesa County Health Department and infection prevention staff to determine the cause.
Community members exhibiting any of these symptoms should contact their primary care physician and stay home from work or school.
Stay tuned to the JIC blog for more information. Additionally, an information line is being set up through Western Colorado 211 or 970-244- 8400.
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