Public Health Alerts
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (also called COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Some simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you think you have symptoms but need to determine if you have COVID-19, please click this test: Should I be Tested for COVID-19?
AASTEC is dedicated to providing our New Mexico Tribal Communities with assistance during this time. If your tribal community is in need, please click here to request Tribal Technical Support for COVID-19 or click here to request COVID-19 Educational Materials .
For media outreach, please check out our official press release.
Information about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still emerging. To learn the latest, visit the following resources:
Weblinks
CDC Updates on COVID 19
COVID-19 cases in the United States
COVID-19 Prevention & Treatment
Videos about COVID-19
State-specific Updates
– New Mexico
New Mexico COVID-19 Daily Update
NMDOH COVID-19 Page
– Colorado
Colorado COVID-19 Page
COVID-19 Facts for Coloradans
– Texas
Texas COVID-19 Daily Update
El Paso COVID-19 Page
– Utah
Utah COVID-19 Daily Update
Utah COVID-19 Page
Coronavirus (COVID-19) up-to-the-minute information
Hantavirus
Being exposed to rodents that carry the Hantavirus, specifically the deer mouse, or their droppings, is a risk factor for contracting the deadly respiratory disease known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
Weblinks
New Mexico Department of Health – Hantavirus
PDFs
Hantavirus Prevention Education
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. However, some infections can result in serious illness or death. People over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they become infected with the virus.
Your best defense is to practice these four habits:
- Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the instructions on the label.
- Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
- Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
Weblinks
PDFs
Influenza (FLU)
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. CDC also recommends prompt treatment with influenza antiviral drugs for people who are very sick with flu or people who are at high risk of flu illness who get flu. Learn more about influenza for the 2016-2017 through these resources …
Weblinks