Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Measles Preparedness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake County public health says it is ready to respond as Colorado reports measles cases
Summary
Lake County Public Health officials described preparedness steps after the state reported several measles cases, including a part-time communicable-disease nurse, hospital coordination, testing procedures and vaccination guidance.
Lake County public-health officials told the Board of Health on May 9 that the county is prepared to respond if measles cases are identified locally, while cautioning that the state is reporting several cases.
“We haven't seen outbreaks spreading through Colorado,” Kelsey Maxey said, “but we've had 5 cases in Colorado so it's something that we're still just very, we're ready to spring into action at a moment's notice if and when we get the case or an outbreak that somehow impacts Lake County.”
Maxey said the county has a part-time communicable-disease nurse trained for contact tracing and initial case response; an outbreak in Lake County would require state support. She said local physicians and hospital staff have been briefed on reportability and hotlines for reporting suspected cases.
A member of the medical staff present described common measles presentation and testing timelines: high fever, cough and a rash that begins on the face and spreads; testing samples must go to the state laboratory with typical turnaround of 48 to 72 hours. The staff member warned that there is no specific antiviral treatment for measles and that supportive care and public-health measures — including isolation and post-exposure prophylaxis where appropriate — are the tools available.
Officials reiterated vaccination guidance: MMR vaccination is given at 12 months and again between ages 4 and 6; one dose is approximately 95% effective and two doses about 98% effective, according to the medical-staff remarks recorded in the meeting. County staff described options for residents to obtain MMR vaccination locally, including the public-health department (walk-ins when staff is available), local pharmacies and primary-care clinics at Saint Vincent Health.
County officials said they are monitoring the situation and maintaining lines of communication with the state and regional medical partners so they can move quickly if a case appears in Lake County.
