What’s going around Mesa County this summer

Mesa County Public Health tracks and responds to various diseases in Mesa County year-round. This summer, our team is seeing COVID-19 and cases involving gastrointestinal illnesses.

Gastrointestinal Illnesses

Gastrointestinal illnesses (GI) affect the digestive system. Some of the main gastrointestinal illnesses we tend to see in the summer are campylobacter, salmonella, and giardia. Symptoms vary between illnesses, but common ones include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain.

“The microbes that cause gastrointestinal illness thrive in warmer weather conditions which can lead to more intestinal illnesses in the summer. We cook more outside at picnics, BBQs, and on camping trips and we travel more in the summer. It makes it even more important that we take proper care with keeping foods cool and using good hand hygiene,” said Kathleen Satterfield, Epidemiologist at Mesa County Public Health. 

Prevention

These are habits for limiting the spread of GI illnesses:

• Be mindful of food storage and preparation.
• Do not drink untreated water.
• Do not prepare food for others if you are ill.
• Talk to your doctor if you think you have a gastrointestinal illness.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially:
  • Before, during, and after preparing food. 
  • After touching raw meats and poultry.
  • After interacting with pets or animals.
  • After using the restroom.
  • After touching your face, blowing your nose, and coughing.

COVID-19 Cases 

We continue to see cases of COVID-19 in our community. There has been a recent rise in cases statewide and nationally. 

“While the increase is not as severe as peaks we see during winter months, it is typical to see an increase during the summer. Locally, wastewater data confirms the trend that there are more Mesa County residents testing positive for COVID-19 this summer than the same timeframe last year,” said Satterfield.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 5.4% of COVID-19 tests nationwide came back positive the first week of June, compared to 4.1% the same time last year in 2023. The best place to look at COVID-19 data at a statewide level is on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website.

Prevention

These are habits for limiting the impacts of respiratory viruses year-round:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch at home and work - like door knobs and light switches.
• Stay up to date on vaccines.

If you have questions about vaccines or would like to make an appointment in our Public Health Clinic, call us at 970-248-6900. COVID-19 tests are available to buy at local stores and pharmacies. See your doctor if you have questions about treatment.