Town of Alamosa (Alamosa County) – Salmonella Outbreak - 10/22/08

  1. Report Date/Time: March 22, 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 Corrections, 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 National Guard, Colorado Office of Preparedness and Security, American Red Cross, Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation, FEMA Region VIII, Colorado Volunteers Active in Disasters (COVOA)

  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. Continuation of public health advisories, activation of multiple Incident Management Teams, coordination of the Joint Information System, and activation of the National Guard.

    Deaths/Major Injuries: 57 confirmed cases, 106 suspected cases, 9 individuals hospitalized, 0 deaths.

  6. Damage: No physical damage, some local businesses are starting to feel the economic effects of not being open.

  7. Current Status: Governor Ritter signed Executive Order D 006 08 declaring a disaster emergency for Alamosa County. This executive order: (1) Activates the State Emergency Operations Plan; (2) When necessary, utilizes assets from the Colorado National Guard; (3) Releases funding for authorized expenditures; and (4) Colorado Department of Transportation is authorized to waive selected fees/restrictions that may impede rapid support to the City of Alamosa. The City of Alamosa has begun to notify its residents of actions to be taken for Tuesday’s water system flushing using door-to-door hand bills, the newspaper, websites, etc. Once flushing commences, boiling will not be adequate to protect the public form the contaminants if they drink the water. Approximately 8,000 gallons of water were distributed on March 21. CDPHE’s COHELP line (1-877-462-2911) has received 1,022 thus far. Commercial vendors continue to donate water as well as restock their store’s shelves.

  8. Future threats: Increased number of confirmed salmonella case throughout the region.

  9. Incident Command Jurisdiction/Location: Alamosa County