GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) reported a total of 225 suspected and confirmed cases of Food-borne Illness in 2024.
“Our viruses don’t grow and replicate in the food itself, but food is a vector to ingest that and get sick,” said Sally Born, Environmental Health Manager for MCPH.
According to Born, the Environmental Health Team investigated 93 suspected cases, while the Disease Surveillance Team investigated 132 confirmed cases. However, these are only cases that were called into MCPH.
“That means that for every confirmed foodborne illness, it’s possible there are others out there, and unless they call us and talk to us, there isn’t a great way to really capture that data,” said Born.
MCPH estimates the average cost of each reported illness to be around $2,500.
“That takes into account the employees and the employers who are bearing the burden of these costs with missed work, healthcare treatments, food that might have to be thrown out,” said Born.
So far in 2025, both teams with MCPH have investigated 32 cases. Born anticipates a spike as temperatures rise.
“As we move into these warmer months if you are hosting a party or having a BBQ or a cookout really make sure that you’re monitoring that time and if food has been left out for over 4 hours, it is likely to have some pathogen growth in it and it could make people sick,” said Born.
On top of washing your hands and ensuring a clean cooking space, Born said temperatures indoors are a factor, and residents should be aware.
“We would always encourage folks to pool your leftovers down quickly, cooling your leftovers on the countertop overnight is not an effective way to eliminate pathogen growth,” said Born. “Cooling them down for a little bit on the counter, but then making sure that they’re covered in the freezer in the fridge afterward is one of the best ways to prevent some growth of pathogens. Even after cooking.”
Symptoms of a potential food-borne illness include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Born encourages anyone who may be exhibiting these symptoms and suspects it’s the cause of a food-borne illness to contact a local health care provider.
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