Town of Alamosa (Alamosa County) – Salmonella Outbreak - 10/21/08

  1. Report Date/Time: March 21, 2008 - 10:30am

  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 agencies, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Coirrections, Colorado Department of Human Services, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Division of Emergency Management, Colorado Division of Fire Safety, Colorado Division of Local Government, Colorado Division of Mental Health, Colorado Office of Preparedness and Security, American Red Cross, Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation, FEMA Region VIII

  5. State assistance anticipated: The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated at level II status. An information line has been established at 720-852-6644. Issuance of public health advisories and coordination of acquisition and transport of water. DOLA/DEM staffs are on incident. There are National Guard and Type III Incident Management Team needs.

  6. Deaths/Major Injuries: 47 confirmed cases, 76 suspected cases, 5 individuals hospitalized, 0 deaths as of the evening of March 20.

  7. Damage: No physical damage, economic damage is starting to impact the area.

  8. Current Status: The City of Alamosa and the County of Alamosa have signed an emergency declaration on March 19. The bottled water order remains in effect as of March 19. On March 20, two bulk water distribution points were operational for three hours each distributing a cumulative total of 6-8,000 gallons. Additional points will be open on March 21. Short-term needs are being met. An initial needs assessment has been conducted by the local jurisdiction and has determined an estimated need of 40,000 gallons of water per day once the water system flushing begins. Flushing is expected to commence once: (1) the appropriate equipment is in place; (2) sufficient bulk/bottled water at in-place during the flushing; and (3) a public information plan is established to notify the residents of the flushing and the associated actions to be taken. Animals are susceptible as well but not to the same degree as humans. CDPHE has established a website (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/alamosa.html) with public health information for this incident. Also, CDPHE’s COHELP line is operational from 8:30am-10pm to answer questions from the public - 1-877-462-2911.

  9. Future threats: Wide spread outbreak; need of potable water.

  10. Incident Command Jurisdiction/Location: Alamosa County