Austin Tyler- Public Health Community Trends

Larimer County, Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado is well known for the well being of its citizens, but that does not mean the city does not have public health concerns.  I spoke with Averal Strand, director of Community Health Trends, about the current trends of infectious diseases.  She informed me of the main concerns of the Larimer County Health Department, which include: pertussis, campylobacter, salmonella, terrestrial rabies, and plague levels among prairie dog populations.

Commonly referred to as “whooping cough”, pertussis is an acute bacterial infection of the respiratory tract.  It is marked by violent coughing.  Last year there were 81 cases in Larimer County, 36 in Fort Collins alone.  Through a plan emphasizing immunization, the Health Department hopes to protect children, which are more prone to pertussis than adults.  Immunization against pertussis is included in the DTaP, the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, and is given in three doses to infants.

Campylobacter is an acute bacterial disease that is most frequently acquired through eating uncooked meat.  In 2012 there were 49 cases of campylobacter in Larimer County.  It is believed that many of these cases occurred as a result of eating uncooked meat in restaurants.  The Health Department is increasing their restaurant inspections in order to monitor the preparation of foods.  Symptoms of campylobacter include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.

Another disease commonly acquired through eating uncooked meat is salmonella.  Last year there were 37 cases of salmonella in Larimer County.  By increasing restaurant inspections, the Health Department hopes to monitor the spread of salmonella.  This bacterial disease causes symptoms of headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  Common sources of infection are raw eggs, raw milk products, and contaminated water or meat.

“Terrestrial” rabies refers to rabies infections in wild animals.  In Larimer County there were 37 skunks found with rabies in 2012.  While this disease has not been contracted by humans, there is definitely a concern that it could eventually reach citizens.  Rabies is very deadly and is most often contracted through animal bites.  In order to prevent the spread of rabies, the Health Department is focusing on vaccinating pets and farm animals.

Prairie dogs run free through many of Larimer County’s wildlife refuges.  High levels of plague have been detected in some prairie dog populations in recent years.  One such population lives near the Jax Sporting Goods store, which is located close to the heart of Fort Collins.  Plague is contracted through direct contact with infected animals and can be serious.  In order to prevent the spread of plague to the human population, the Health Department must sometimes eradicate the heavily infected prairie dog populations.