Latest news with #DenverDepartmentofPublicHealthandEnvironment
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Second measles case in Denver confirmed; fourth in Colorado amid nationwide outbreak
Measles has arrived in Colorado. Find out how to protect yourself Measles has arrived in Colorado. Find out how to protect yourself Measles has arrived in Colorado. Find out how to protect yourself The second case of measles has been confirmed in Denver, according to city and county health officials, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Colorado to four. Health officials didn't provide many details about the latest case in Denver, other than to say the person is an adult and they contracted the virus from the first person in the city who got it; a baby who was too young to have been vaccinated who had recently travelled to an area of Chihuahua, Mexico, which is experiencing a measles outbreak. The person has been in public health quarantine during the infectious period, according to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. The latest case comes as the U.S. experiences the highest number of measles cases nationwide since a 2019 wave. Health officials say symptoms typically develop between 7 and 21 days after exposure. Between 7 and 14 days, those symptoms can include fever around or over 104°, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within 2 to 3 days after those symptoms appear, small white spots may appear in one's mouth and days later, a full rash can appear. Most people's symptoms will improve, but about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized. Approximately 1 in every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and around 3 in 1,000 children who become infected will die, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is also highly preventable," Dr. Rachel Herlihy, deputy chief medical officer and state epidemiologist, said in a statement. "The MMR vaccine provides excellent protection and helps prevent outbreaks like the one we are seeing globally. We urge Coloradans to review their vaccination status and take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities." The majority of infections nationwide have been reported in West Texas, and two children have died, local health officials said. Texas has seen over 500 cases and the entire country has seen about 800 recorded cases this year so far. And Kansas, to Colorado's east, has reported over 37 cases so far this year. The majority of people reporting cases are 19 or younger. CDC data shows the following age breakdown of cases: Under 5 years: 157 (33%) 5-19 years: 204 (42%) 20+ years: 111 (23%) Age unknown: 11 (2%) The overwhelming majority of cases, the CDC says, are also among those who aren't vaccinated for measles or whose vaccination status isn't known: Unvaccinated or Unknown: 97% One MMR dose: 1% Two MMR doses: 2% The number of measles cases in the U.S. has fallen dramatically since the advent of the vaccine in 1963. Prior to that, the country typically saw hundreds of thousands of cases each year. Health experts point to lower vaccination rates as a reason for increases in preventable diseases like measles. More information on measles can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What to do if exposed to measles at Denver Health Emergency Department
Denver (KDVR) — Health officials are now reaching out to people who were at the Denver Health Emergency Department on Sunday, April 6th, between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to let them know they may have been exposed to measles and to assess their risk for contracting the disease. A child was diagnosed there Sunday, but did not need to be hospitalized. Denver Department of Public Health and Environment says the patient is under the age of one, was not vaccinated and had recently traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico, where there is an ongoing measles outbreak. 3rd measles case confirmed in Colorado; here's where you could have been exposed Courtney Ronner with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment says the department has activated its operations center to assist with the case. 'Approximately 100 patients were in the ER during that exposure window. So, what we are doing is we are contacting all of those folks, as well as other people who may have been in the ER to assess their exposure risks,' Ronner said. People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms for the next 21 days. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and then three to five days later a rash that starts on the head and works its way down the body. Dr. Bob Belknap, the Executive Director of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, says measles is transmitted through the air, and can stay in the air for two hours. He says the facility conducted a thorough cleaning and he does not want families to avoid healthcare out of fear. 'The risk of getting exposed to measles in Colorado and in a health care setting is extremely low,' Dr. Belknap said. But if you suspect measles, the doctor says you should call ahead so the provider can take precautions to prevent additional exposure. Children typically don't get their first dose of Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine until they are 12 to 15 months old. State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy says this shows the risk of travel. 'If you are really thinking about going to a place where there are ongoing outbreaks, I think it is important to reconsider whether now is the time to travel if you are unvaccinated or your children are too young to be routinely vaccinated for measles,' Herlihy said. The doctor says if needed, you can talk to your provider about getting an early dose of the MMR vaccine for a child that is 6 to 11 months old, but that is not preferred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Several measles cases now confirmed in Colorado, but no outbreak declared
There are now three confirmed cases of measles in Colorado -- in Pueblo , Denver and Archuleta counties -- according to public health officials. All investigations are ongoing and are typically handled at the county level with support from the state. For example, in the Denver case, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and Denver Health is leading the effort to contact individuals who may have been exposed while visiting the emergency department around the same time as the confirmed case. As for whether this constitutes an outbreak, Bob Belknap, the executive director of the public health institute at Denver Health, says it does not -- at least not yet. This is not currently an outbreak as we do not have evidence that the cases are linked. Per public health definition, an outbreak would be once Colorado has three or more related cases of measles, according to a spokesperson for the state. In the Denver case, a trip to Mexico ended in a hospital visit for the family after their infant was diagnosed following the trip. The case comes just a week after a man from Pueblo was also diagnosed with measles after returning from Mexico. Denver Health confirmed the infant's case over the weekend. The baby, who is under 12 months old, is not hospitalized and is now recovering. The diagnosis raises a larger question: Should babies younger than 12 months be vaccinated before traveling? "If anyone has a child who is six to 11 months old and knows they will be traveling -- either internationally or to a part of the U.S. with a known outbreak -- they should consult their doctor about getting that child vaccinated," Belknap said. According to the CDC, children typically receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, as their immune systems are still developing before this age. The state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement: "This case is a stark reminder that families traveling internationally should delay unnecessary travel -- especially when visiting areas with known measles outbreaks." Measles cases in Texas have now surpassed 500 , with 24 new infections reported over the past five days. Health officials say this may be linked to low vaccination rates. "People have misperceptions about the risk of side effects or adverse events from a vaccine versus the risk of measles itself, and they really are not close -- the risk from the vaccine is extremely low," said Belknap. Measles can lead to serious complications. One in five unvaccinated people may require hospitalization. Meanwhile, those who receive both recommended doses of the MMR vaccine have a 97% protection rate. While this is an isolated case, health officials say it serves as a powerful reminder to stay up to date on vaccinations, and to check with your pediatrician before traveling with an infant. Denver Health hosts vaccine clinics and offers free vaccines to those under 18 years old throughout the Denver metro area. Denver Health recommends that those concerned about measles call before making their way to the hospital. The next upcoming event will be on Thursday, April 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Place Bridge Academy. Vaccines: Routine childhood vaccines including MMR and COVID-19 for adults. Vaccines for adults that are uninsured or under-insured are extremely limited* Preregister for this event!
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles infects baby in Colorado: health officials
A baby in Colorado has contracted measles, according to state health officials. The child, who is under 1 year old and lives in Denver County, was unvaccinated due to age, according to a statement from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Health, and the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. The infant recently traveled internationally to Chihuahua, Mexico, where there is an active measles outbreak, according to the same source. Get Measles Case Counts State By State Amid Us Outbreak This is the state's second confirmed case of measles in 2025. Officials said this new case is not related to the first one, which was reported in Pueblo. "Infants under 12 months are especially vulnerable to measles because they are typically too young to be vaccinated," said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in a press release. Read On The Fox News App "This case is a stark reminder that families traveling internationally should delay unnecessary travel or talk to their healthcare providers about early MMR vaccination for infants, especially when visiting areas with known measles outbreaks." Anyone who has visited the Denver Health Emergency Department on Sunday, April 6, between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. MT should monitor for symptoms and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings, Colorado health officials recommended. This is especially important for people who have not received the MMR vaccine, which can prevent infection if given within 72 hours of exposure, according to the above source. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure, per health officials. Initial symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, later followed by a facial rash that spreads to other parts of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at age 4 through 6. For more Health articles, visit As of April 3, a total of 607 measles cases were confirmed by 22 jurisdictions, per CDC data. Those include Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and article source: Measles infects baby in Colorado: health officials
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Measles infects baby in Colorado: health officials
A baby in Colorado has contracted measles, according to state health officials. The child, who is under 1 year old and lives in Denver County, was unvaccinated due to age, according to a statement from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Health, and the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. The infant recently traveled internationally to Chihuahua, Mexico, where there is an active measles outbreak, according to the same source. This is the state's second confirmed case of measles in 2025. Officials said this new case is not related to the first one, which was reported in Pueblo. "Infants under 12 months are especially vulnerable to measles because they are typically too young to be vaccinated," said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in a press release. "This case is a stark reminder that families traveling internationally should delay unnecessary travel or talk to their healthcare providers about early MMR vaccination for infants, especially when visiting areas with known measles outbreaks." Anyone who has visited the Denver Health Emergency Department on Sunday, April 6, between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. MT should monitor for symptoms and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings, Colorado health officials recommended. This is especially important for people who have not received the MMR vaccine, which can prevent infection if given within 72 hours of exposure, according to the above source. Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure, per health officials. Initial symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, later followed by a facial rash that spreads to other parts of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at age 4 through 6. For more Health articles, visit As of April 3, a total of 607 measles cases were confirmed by 22 jurisdictions, per CDC data. Those include Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.
