Veteran suicide declines after years of focused prevention in El Paso County
October 26, 2025El Paso County Public Health Youth Suicide Prevention Planner explained that although veterans are at high risk of dying by suicide in El Paso County, efforts to address the issue have been made over the past ten years, which has attributed to the decline in number of deaths.
As peak flu season looms, vaccination rates remain low in Colorado
October 19, 2025Vaccines don’t guarantee you won’t get sick, but they lessen the odds and can help mitigate symptoms, staving off complications and hospitalizations.
El Paso County launches new campaign to prevent infant sleep deaths
August 20, 2025El Paso County Public Health launched an Infant Safe Sleep campaign aimed at educating parents, caregivers and communities about safe sleep practices to help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
How to protect yourself from West Nile virus
August 19, 2025After two people in Fremont County died from West Nile Virus, KRDO13 spoke with El Paso County Public Health
First rabid bat reported in Colorado Springs for 2025
August 7, 2025A bat found in Colorado Springs on Aug. 2 tested positive for rabies, making it the first animal to test positive for the disease in El Paso County this year. Human contact with the bat was reported, and the bat was promptly sent for testing by El Paso County Public…
Parts of Colorado face measles risk as high as West Texas due to low vaccination rates
May 25, 2025El Paso County Public Health has been sending reminders to families that are behind on shots and offering vaccine clinics at schools and community organizations.
Youth nicotine use declining
March 18, 2025Fewer teens are vaping now after an all-time high in 2017 according to El Paso County Public Health.
Chickenpox reported at The Classical Academy
March 18, 2025El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) said reports of chickenpox have been received from The Classical Academy and officials are working with the school.
Health officials brace for ‘very real possibility’ of measles outbreak in under-vaccinated Colorado
March 9, 2025As an outbreak has infected nearly 200 people in Texas and a second death has been confirmed in New Mexico as of Friday, measles vaccination rates in some parts of Colorado have dipped well below the rate required for community immunity.
El Paso County Public Health executive director to step down after 25 years
February 4, 2025EPCPH Executive Director Susan Wheelan announced she will retire effective March 3 after a 25-year career with the agency. Wheelan joined EPCPH as an environmental health specialist in 1999 and rose through the ranks, assuming the agency’s top job in February 2019.
EPCPH: Jenkins MS students affected by pertussis outbreak
January 29, 2025Jenkins Middle School families with children in the seventh grade received a notice from El Paso County Public Health confirming a whooping cough, or pertussis, outbreak. Jenkins Middle School students were recently relocated to Russell Middle School and Doherty High School due to a temporary building closure.
Homeowners urged to test homes for cancer-causing radon
January 14, 2025Air Quality Program Manager Duane Dominguez urged residents to test their homes for radon during National Radon Action Month. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that can be found in high levels in nearly 50 percent of Colorado homes. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.