Town of Alamosa (Alamosa County) – Salmonella Outbreak

  1. Report Date/Time: March 20, 2008 - 11:30pm

  2. Location: Town of Alamosa, CO along Hwy 160 in San Luis Valley Region

  3. Event Start Date/Time: March 15, 2008 - unknown time

  4. Agencies involved: Alamosa County, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Colorado Division of Emergency Management

  5. State assistance anticipated: The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated at level II status. An information line has been established 720-852-6644. Issuance of public health advisories and coordination of acquisition and transportation of water.

  6. Deaths/Major Injuries: 33 confirmed cases, 57 cases being investigated, 4 individuals hospitalized, 0 deaths

  7. Damage: No physical damage, economic damage is starting

  8. Current Status: On March 15, the first reported case of salmonella occurred in the City of Alamosa. Since that time other cases have been confirmed resulting in the determination that the City water system has been contaminated. The State Health Department has issued an advisory that all water is boiled until sufficient bottle water supplies are available. Eventually the entire system will need to be flushed. Media coverage of the salmonella outbreak has begun to surge, which is increasing residents visiting local emergency rooms and health clinics. The COHELP line (877-462-2911) has received 486 calls thus far. It is anticipated that three bulk water distribution points will be established during the afternoon of March 20th. Commercial vendors are also increasing their supplies of for-purchase bottle water.

  9. Future threats: Wide spread outbreak.

  10. Incident Command Jurisdiction/Location: Alamosa County