Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infectious Disease Measles topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montezuma County health officials relay measles exposure window tied to Denver Health visit
Summary
Montezuma County health department reported a Colorado measles case involving an unvaccinated infant seen at Denver Health Emergency Department and advised that unvaccinated or under‑vaccinated people who were at the ED during the specified window consider evaluation and vaccination.
Montezuma County public health officials on April 8 summarized a recent Colorado measles case and provided an exposure window tied to a Denver hospital visit.
Bobby Locke, Montezuma County health department director, said the state has recorded two measles cases so far in 2025, including “an unvaccinated infant too young to be vaccinated.” Locke said the infant was seen at the Denver Health Emergency Department and that anyone at that emergency room “between 10:30 and 04:30” on April 6 should consider their vaccination status and seek guidance.
Locke emphasized that “if you're fully vaccinated, the risk is not there,” while urging that people who are unvaccinated or under‑vaccinated should pay attention to the exposure times. She also noted the publicly used threshold for declaring an outbreak: “the definition of an outbreak ... is 3 or more,” meaning state authorities would label Colorado as having an outbreak if a third confirmed case appears.
Locke gave the ED address for potential exposure follow‑up: “777 Bannock Street, Pavilion A.” She also advised clinicians to notify public health immediately if they suspect measles in a patient, even before confirmation, because early notification enables rapid public health steps to limit exposures. The board discussed vaccine availability; Locke said the county health department and the hospital have MMR on hand and that retail pharmacies listed by staff (Walgreens and City Market) also carry vaccine supplies.
County officials reiterated standard guidance: infants typically receive their first MMR at 12 months, but under certain exposure conditions local and state authorities recommend a single dose for infants 6 through 11 months who are traveling to or visiting areas with known measles activity; that dose is followed by the routine two‑dose series after 12 months. Locke said the Health Alert Network notification (HAN) circulated to providers urged immediate reporting to Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) when measles is suspected.
No local Montezuma County cases were reported during the meeting. Officials encouraged anyone with potential exposure at the specified Denver Health ED window to contact public health for assessment and next steps.
