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Health officer: flu, COVID and measles remain monitored; West Nile risk flagged
Summary
Prairie County Health Officer Chip Mitch briefed the board on influenza, COVID and other communicable diseases and urged continued mosquito prevention; he provided statewide case and hospitalization counts and noted measles and RSV activity in neighboring counties.
Prairie County Health Officer Chip Mitch opened the board’s health report with influenza and COVID figures and a reminder to maintain vigilance heading into warmer months. "Up until March 7, there are 12,640 cases, 685 hospitalizations and 20 deaths," Mitch said, and he contrasted current COVID‑19 activity with 2020 totals, saying the county has seen "2,500 cases, 149 hospitalizations and 9 deaths" year‑to‑date.
Mitch also described other infectious‑disease trends the board is watching, including RSV, pertussis and a cluster of measles cases across several counties. He highlighted vector‑borne threats as a seasonal concern, naming Dawson Prairie, Rosebud and Yellowstone among higher‑risk areas for West Nile transmission and explaining that most infections are asymptomatic but 1–2% can become severe. The board asked questions about local mosquito activity and prevention; Mitch urged residents to use repellents and reduce standing water and said the county will continue surveillance and public messaging.
