County public-health leaders and local pediatricians briefed the Fremont County Board of Commissioners on July 11 about recent measles cases in Wyoming and on the status of federal public-health funding for preparedness programs.
The county’s public-health staff said the state has issued notice that local preparedness funding is currently approved at 72 percent and that full funding remains uncertain until Congress finalizes the federal budget on Sept. 30. County staff said the partial award covers wages for some preparedness positions but leaves other training and program funds pending.
Public-health staff and local pediatricians described measles as a highly contagious respiratory disease and noted the national increase in cases this year. County clinicians told commissioners that current U.S. totals reported to the state were more than 1,300 cases across dozens of states and that most recent U.S. cases have been among unvaccinated people. Local providers said younger children and unvaccinated people face greater risk of hospitalization.
County public-health staff emphasized the operational implications: if clinics see suspected measles patients on their regular schedules, clinical areas may need to be vacated and cleaned for up to two hours; hospitals have a limited number of negative‑pressure rooms and providers are making plans to screen patients by phone and to ask potentially infectious patients to wait outside until they can be seen safely.
Officials encouraged residents to verify MMR vaccine records with their primary care providers or the state immunization registry, and to follow guidance for travel and infants. Public-health staff said some local clinics can provide an early MMR dose for infants aged 6–11 months when travel to higher‑risk areas is planned; that dose is counted toward the routine series but timing and follow-up should be discussed with a clinician.
Finally, county staff said they are identifying alternative training resources and will prioritize essential preparedness activities while awaiting the final federal appropriation. Commissioners were told that wages for at least some county preparedness staff are presently covered, but other program elements — training, outreach, and equipment purchases — are only partially funded pending the federal budget outcome.
Ending: County officials said they would continue weekly coordination with state partners and local clinicians and asked the public to consult medical providers or public-health for vaccine checks or questions about travel and school entry immunization.