Town of Alamosa (Alamosa County) – Salmonella Outbreak - 10/24/08

  1. Report Date/Time: March 24, 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, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, American Red Cross, Colorado Volunteer Agencies Active in Disasters (COVOAD), Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation,
    Eastern Colorado IMT, Jefferson IMT, FEMA Region VIII

  5. State assistance anticipated: The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated at level II status. An SEOC information line has been established at 720-852-6644. Continuation of public health advisories/assistance as well long-term economic assistance.

  6. Deaths/Major Injuries: 68 confirmed cases, 148 suspected cases, 9 individuals hospitalized, 0 deaths.

  7. Damage: No physical damage, economic: 4 businesses have closed.

  8. Current Status: Unified Command has been established between the City of Alamosa and the Incident Management Team. A majority of activities remains focused on preparing for the “Super-chlorination” process to start Tuesday morning, March 25 starting from North to South in the City of Alamosa. One primary element of the public information campaign is the door-to-door delivery of hand-bills. The key is the water use restrictions (ie bathing, fire hazard mitigation on residential hot water heaters, etc) to be conducted in multiple stages during the 7-10 days of flushing. Guidance is also available via CDPHE’s COHELP line (1-877-462-2911) and the City of Alamosa’s website (http://www.cityofalamosa.org/). On-going activities include the daily distribution of approximately 8,000 gallons of water. There is an anticipation this amount will increase on Tuesday. CDPHE is following up on a Easter Buffet offered at the Inn of the Rio Grande Hotel yesterday. Unknown at this time the number of guests or visitors who may have eaten there. There is NO connection between this salmonella outbreak and the reported national salmonella outbreak involving cantaloupe. National Guard resources will replace local law enforcement at designated water pod locations.

  9. Future threats: Increased number of confirmed salmonella case throughout the region. Particularly from the “Easter Buffet” at the Inn of the Rio Grande on March 23, 2008

  10. Incident Command Jurisdiction/Location: Alamosa County