Flu activity on the rise in Mesa County

Current flu trends

Flu activity in Mesa County has increased significantly over the past week. Since October 1, 2025, there have been 36 flu-related hospitalizations. During the same period in 2024, there were 12 flu hospitalizations. Our disease surveillance at Mesa County Public Health (MCPH)  team tracks hospitalizations to gauge the severity of the illness as it spreads through the community. The most recent respiratory virus data can be found on our website. 

The team has also investigated nine respiratory illness outbreaks since December 9, 2025. At this point last year, no outbreaks had been reported. These outbreaks are impacting congregate settings, places where many people spend extended time together in close proximity, like a school or nursing home. Our team works closely with those facilities to help stop the spread.

“We have seen a substantial jump in flu hospitalizations recently. While flu is a seasonal virus and patterns can vary from year to year, the upcoming holidays mean more gatherings and more opportunities for spread. Taking preventive steps now is especially important to help protect the most vulnerable in our community, including young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems,” said Will Rausch, Epidemiologist at MCPH.

Prevention is the best protection

“We always recommend the flu vaccine, as it’s safe and effective in protecting yourself and others. Simple steps like staying home when sick and washing hands also reduces the spread and helps keep our community healthy,” said Rausch.

People can protect themselves by practicing these simple actions: 

• Staying home when you are sick.
• Washing hands often.
• Staying up to date on vaccines.
• Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces. First clean with soap and water and then a bleach-based disinfectant to effectively kill the flu virus.

Flu vaccine options

It’s not too late to get a flu shot. After vaccination, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop an immune response. It is recommended to get a flu shot each year to ensure immunity to the most recent strains of the virus. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to discuss recommendations for you and your family. 

Our vaccine specialists are available to answer questions and help you decide what vaccines are right for you. The Mesa County Public Health Clinic currently offers:

• High-dose influenza vaccine for adults 65 and older.
• Standard influenza vaccine for anyone six months and older.

Call 970-248-6906 to make an appointment. Influenza vaccines are available for both insured and uninsured patients. 

Symptoms to watch for

The most common flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Body aches 
• Headache

If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to ask about testing.