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Ouray County Public Health reports 16 measles cases statewide, wastewater tests negative locally
Summary
Public Health Director Kristen Kelly updated the board on measles activity, avian influenza guidance, local wastewater surveillance and WIC program changes and said county‑level testing currently shows no COVID, flu or RSV detections in Ridgeway samples.
Kristen Kelly, director of Ouray County Public Health, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on July 8 about infectious‑disease trends, prevention actions and public health programs.
Kelly said Colorado stood at 16 confirmed measles cases at the time of her briefing and stressed that most cases continue to occur among people who are unvaccinated or whose immunization status is unknown. "The majority of those that come down with measles are unvaccinated or have an unknown immunization status," she said, and she reiterated the recommendation that travelers be fully vaccinated and that infants aged 6–11 months receive an early dose for international travel.
On avian influenza, Kelly said the current risk is low but reminded residents to avoid contact with sick birds and to use personal protective equipment if handling sick or dead animals. She reiterated standard food‑safety guidance — drink pasteurized milk and cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Wastewater surveillance in Ridgeway showed no detections of SARS‑CoV‑2, influenza or RSV in the most recent two‑week sample (collected June 30), Kelly said, though she noted statewide sentinel sites show variable trends and some nearby areas have persistent detections.
Kelly outlined use of federal COVID resiliency funding for local investments: off‑site wastewater testing, purchase of vaccine cold‑storage units, an electronic health record system for public‑health services, and receipt of a portable vaccine transport unit distributed through the state. She also described WIC program changes: July 1 federal income‑eligibility guidelines increased so more families now qualify; the county’s WIC program is providing market vouchers and other supports.
Commissioners asked how residents find their immunization histories. Kelly reviewed Colorado’s Immunization Information System (CIIS), noting that CIIS contains more complete records for more recent vaccinations and that older immunizations can be entered as historical records if residents provide paper documentation.
Kelly said public health continues to offer free at‑home COVID tests at its Ridgeway office and encouraged residents to contact the public‑health office with questions on vaccines, WIC and other services.
No board action was taken on public‑health matters; the briefing served as an informational update.
