Converse County Public Health

05/29/2026

If you had central Africa travel plans this summer, please stay informed of the warning and travel advisories.

05/26/2026

05/18/2026

We hope to see you at the Aging Well Expo on Wednesday, May 20th from 2:00 PM–6:30 PM at the Douglas Fire Training Facility!

05/12/2026

Avoid Ticks to Avoid Diseases They Spread
May 9, 2019 (Six years and still relevant)

As Wyoming’s warmer days approach, avoiding ticks when spending time outdoors can also mean escaping some potentially serious diseases, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

Diseases sometimes passed on by infected ticks in Wyoming include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Colorado tick fever (CTF). Lyme and Powasssan diseases can be a concern during travel to other states, but are not known to be spread by Wyoming ticks.

“When we walk through, play or sit in brushy and grassy areas, or handle certain animals we can be exposed to ticks,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH. “Ticks can be active in Wyoming most of the year, but spring and summer are typically the peak seasons when we see related illnesses.”

Tularemia symptoms include fever, swollen and painful lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, skin ulcers and diarrhea. If the bacteria are inhaled, symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough and progressive weakness and pneumonia. Colorado tick fever usually causes fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and, occasionally, a rash. Initial RMSF symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, lack of appetite and severe headache. Later signs and symptoms may include rash, abdominal pain, joint pain and diarrhea. RMSF and tularemia patients often require hospitalization.

General recommendations to help avoid tick-related diseases include:

Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see ticks crawling on clothing.
Tuck pant legs into socks.
Apply insect repellents such as those containing 20 percent or more DEET and/or picaradin.
Upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, search yourself and children for ticks and remove if found.
Check pets for ticks; use tick control products recommended by veterinarians.
Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever” or “deer fly fever,” frequently affects rabbits, hares and rodents and has been associated with rabbit die-offs. People may acquire tularemia when bit by infected ticks, deer flies or horse flies. It can also be transmitted by handling infected animals, or through ingestion or contact with untreated, contaminated water or insufficiently cooked meat.

Learn more about Colorado tick fever, including how to remove ticks, at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/colorado-tick-fever/. Information about RMSF is available at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever/. More details about tularemia are available online at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/tularemia/.

05/05/2026

Register for this week's UW Wildfire webinar at https://wyoextension.org/wrir/wildfire-webinar/

05/04/2026

🌤️ 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 🌤️

It’s Air Quality Awareness Week! At the Wyoming DEQ Air Quality Division, our mission is to keep Wyoming’s skies clean and clear through permitting, monitoring, inspections, and public outreach. Throughout the week, we’ll highlight tools, resources, and everyday actions that help protect the air we all share.

Clean air is essential to Wyoming’s health, visibility, and quality of life — let’s make it a priority every day. Explore more about Air Quality Awareness Week and available resources here:

🔗 https://deq.wyoming.gov/aqd/air-quality-awareness-week/

05/02/2026

First Wyoming Measles Case of 2026 Reported from Fremont County

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has confirmed a case of measles in an adult from Fremont County with unconfirmed vaccination status. While everyone exposed is at risk of infection, the highest risks are to infants, non-immune pregnant women, and immunocompromised people. Measles is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe illness. This is the first reported case in Wyoming in 2026. Fifteen cases were reported in 2025.

Members of the public may have been exposed to measles at the following locations and times. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infectious individual leaves an area.

Walmart Supercenter, 1733 N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY 82501

April 24, 2026, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Maverik, 819 E. Coulter Ave, Powell, WY 82435

April 25, 2026, 10:45 AM - 1:00 PM

“We are asking individuals who were potentially exposed to self-monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date, and consider avoiding crowded public places or high-risk settings such as daycare centers,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, State Health Officer with WDH.

People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include: fever; cough; runny nose; red eyes; and, a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads down the body.

If you believe you have been exposed and develop these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider or local emergency room/urgent care by telephone regarding your symptoms. Calling ahead helps prevent additional exposures.

Monitoring for symptoms is especially critical for people who have not been vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Infants less than 1 year old who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for infection and severe disease. WDH recommends these individuals contact their healthcare providers regarding their potential measles exposure, even if they have not developed symptoms. People who have received the MMR vaccine or were born before 1957 are generally considered immune and are unlikely to develop measles.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is preventable,” said Dr. Harrist. “The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing long-lasting protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, and we recommend that all Wyoming residents ensure they and their children are up to date on MMR vaccinations.”

Information about measles in Wyoming, including case counts and exposure locations, can be found here: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/measles/

04/28/2026

The Wind River Extension Office has created a WILDFIRE WEBINAR SERIES - It begins this week, April 30th, with a presentation from the Bureau of Land Management's Fuels Program and what they do to manage fuels in the Wind River and Bighorn basin. REGISTER HERE --> https://wyoextension.org/wrir/wildfire-webinar/

04/27/2026

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 20-27. A yearly observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. CCPH gives vaccines by appointment. Please call 325-2536 or 436-3474 to schedule.

04/24/2026

Thursday April 30th is the last day to apply - To qualify for LIEAP, applicants must be Wyoming residents with households whose gross annual income is at or below 60% of the state's median income; $35,829 for an individual, $46,853 for a couple, or $68,902 for a family of four. Homeowners, renters, and residents of permanently parked RVs or campers are all eligible to apply.