3, 2024 | Volume 24 | Issue 1
Infectious disease updates
Influenza and RSV surveillance in Colorado
Measles Case Identified in Colorado
Infectious disease updates
Colorado COVID-19 data
Influenza and RSV surveillance in Colorado
Surveillance for the 2023-2024 influenza season officially began on October 1, 2023, and will continue through May 18, 2024. Hospitalized influenza cases are reportable year-round, statewide. Hospitalized cases with a positive flu test after October 1 are counted in surveillance data for the surveillance season. Outbreaks are reportable in residential care and correctional facilities. Influenza vaccination is highly recommended for all age groups 6 months and older this season. Influenza hospitalization rates are steadily increasing which is typical for this time in the season.
Influenza (through the week ending December 30, 2023)
1,347 hospitalizations (statewide)
Age 65+: 538
Age 18-64: 587
Age 5-17: 109
Under age 5: 113
18 residential care facility outbreaks
0 correctional facility outbreaks
0 pediatric deaths
Surveillance for the 2023-2024 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season officially began on October 1, 2023. Since June 18, 2023, RSV-associated hospitalizations have been reportable statewide. Outbreaks in residential care facilities, schools and child care are also reportable statewide. Since October 1, 2023, rates of RSV hospitalization have continued to increase.
RSV (through the week ending December 30, 2023)
1,321 hospitalizations (statewide)
Age 75+: 91
Age 65-74: 58
Age 18-64: 106
Age 5-17: 83
Under age 5: 983
74 school/childcare outbreaks
2 residential care facility outbreak
0 pediatric deaths
Seasonal influenza and RSV surveillance data is updated weekly on Wednesdays, and can be found at the link below.
CDPHE Viral Respiratory Diseases Data Dashboard
Weekly CDC influenza surveillance reports
Weekly CDC RSV hospitalization surveillance reports
Measles Case Identified in Colorado
On December 19, 2023, an adolescent visiting the Denver metro area tested positive for measles at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Laboratory. The case is an international resident who flew into the Denver International Airport while infectious. The case also spent time with a community group and visited Children’s Hospital of Colorado (CHCO) in Aurora during their infectious period. People known to have been exposed to this person have been contacted and are being followed up with by public health. The incubation period for measles ranges from 7 to 21 days so susceptible individuals exposed could currently be experiencing measles symptoms and may develop symptoms up until January 8. To date, no additional cases have been identified.
Measles is a febrile rash illness that is characterized by a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, followed by a maculopapular rash which typically starts at the hairline and descends down the body. Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 20 years, those who are pregnant, and individuals who are immunocompromised are more likely to experience measles complications. Measles is highly infectious and transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when a person with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for as long as two hours after a person with measles leaves an area.
Immediately report all suspect measles cases to your local health department or CDPHE at 303-692-2700, or after-hours at 303-370-9395. Do not wait until laboratory results are available before reporting suspect measles cases. To test for measles please review our how to collect and test for measles document on CDPHE’s measles webpage.
To prevent measles, children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Older children and adolescents who are not vaccinated should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by 28 days. Adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Certain adults may need 2 doses.
People 6 months of age and older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles. Before any international travel, infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another at 4 through 6 years of age). Older children, adolescents, and adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
Measles: Choose Your Own Response, is a course designed to give a brief background into the history of Measles and the symptomatology of the disease, as well as giving guidance on how to respond to a suspect or confirmed measles case in the State of Colorado. There is also a scenario interwoven throughout the course to test how you would respond to a measles situation.