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Montezuma County public health reports measles, West Nile updates; fentanyl test‑strip distribution ends
Summary
At a Board of Health meeting, Public Health Director Bobby Locke reported 23–24 measles cases statewide in 2026, the state's first confirmed human West Nile case and local distribution totals for Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips; Locke said the test‑strip program ended when funding ran out.
At a Montezuma County Board of Health meeting, Public Health Director Bobby Locke gave the county's communicable‑disease update, citing 23 cases of measles in Colorado so far this year and noting the count rose to 24 late last week. "So far since 2026 started, there's been 23 cases in the state of Colorado. Actually, it's 24 as of late last week," Locke said.
Why it matters: the county has not recorded local measles cases but is monitoring statewide spread and exposures in other counties. Locke also flagged mosquito‑borne disease: he said the state recorded its first confirmed human case of West Nile this season and urged residents to use repellent, cover up and avoid outdoor exposure during peak mosquito hours.
Locke provided additional local figures and program updates. He said the county saw 18 animal‑bite cases in the last quarter and reported one RSV outbreak earlier in the year. On overdose response supplies, Locke said the county distributed 16 Narcan kits in recent months and distributed 200 fentanyl test strips, but that the test‑strip program has ended because funding ended: "That program has ended, so we will not be getting more fentanyl test strips at this point in time. Funding ended."
Dr. Jocelyn Hirschman, the county medical officer, added there had not been local COVID or other spike activity she was aware of and stressed the role of community connection and routine prevention measures for reducing risk.
The board did not take any formal action on the items discussed. Officials encouraged residents to follow standard prevention guidance and to contact the county health department with exposure concerns; no local cases of measles or human West Nile disease were reported to the board during the meeting.
