Don’t Let the Flu Sideline Your Season. It’s Time for your Flu Shot!

Cheyenne, WY - October 7, 2026.  As autumn sets in, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is urging residents to get their annual flu shot now to stay healthy and active through the months ahead.

"We recommend a seasonal flu shot for everyone six months of age and older," said Dr. Alexia Harrist, State Health Officer with WDH. "These vaccines carry a well-established safety record and are the best line of defense to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths."

Because influenza viruses evolve, an annual shot is essential. Immunity takes up to two weeks to fully develop.

"Getting vaccinated early provides the best protection," Dr. Harrist added. "Don't wait until the flu is already spreading in your community.

Influenza can cause fever, fatigue, body aches, and cough—leading to missed school and work.

Flu shots are especially vital to protect high-risk groups, including:

• Young children and infants
• Pregnant women
• Adults aged 65 and older
• Anyone living with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease)

Along with influenza, WDH reminds residents to stay protected against other respiratory diseases this fall, including COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Everyone six months of age and older can benefit from an updated COVID-19 shot. Additionally, adults aged 50 and older, as well as expectant mothers, should consult their healthcare provider about getting an RSV vaccine.

Vaccines are available across Wyoming at public health offices, clinics, pharmacies, and retail stores. Most insurance plans cover them at no out-of-pocket cost, and state programs assist eligible individuals. Residents are advised to call ahead or check online to verify vaccine availability before visiting. 

For Immediate Release

Five Teton County Measles Cases Confirmed by Wyoming Department of Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cheyenne, WY - July 14, 2026.  The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has confirmed two additional cases of measles in Teton County, bringing the statewide total to six. One case is an adult with no identified links to the previous three Teton County cases. The other case is an adult who had direct exposure to a previously identified case. This underscores the highly contagious nature of the measles virus. 

The public may have been exposed to measles at the following locations and times:

Target Jackson Hole, 510 S Highway 89, Jackson, Wyoming 83001

• July 5, 2026, 7:00 AM through 7:00 PM
• July 6, 2026, 7:00 AM through 7:00 PM
• July 7, 2026, 7:00 AM through 7:00 PM

Smith’s Food and Drug, 1425 South Highway 89, Jackson, Wyoming 83001

• July 8, 2026, 9:00 AM through noon

Measles is very contagious and can cause serious illness, including pneumonia, encephalitis, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles infection. For more information on measles, including case counts, exposure locations, and guidance on what to do if you have been exposed, visit https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/measles/.

CHEYENNE, WY - June 30, 2026 — The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is alerting residents to a recent phone scam where bad actors are "spoofing" official department phone numbers to solicit personal information. “Spoofing” is a form of scamming where a bad actor manipulates a caller ID to display a different phone number, often displaying the information of a trusted person, business, or official office.

Reports indicate that scammers are using the number 307-777-7656, a primary line for the WDH Director’s Office, to contact individuals. These callers often claim to be from an "investigative unit" or pharmacy and ask for sensitive personal data.

The WDH reminds the public that official department representatives will never call to ask for sensitive personal information in this manner. To protect yourself from these fraudulent activities, the WDH recommends the following:

• Verify the Caller: If you receive a suspicious call from a WDH number, hang up and call the department back using a verified phone number from the official website.
• Protect Personal Information: Never provide Social Security numbers, financial details, or other sensitive data over the phone to unsolicited callers.
• Gift cards and credit cards: WDH will never ask you to provide us a credit card or debit card over the phone for payment. We will also never ask you to give us gift cards.
• Consult Your Service Provider: Contact your phone service provider to inquire about call-blocking features or tools to identify potential spam.
• Report Fraud: You may report spoofing and scam calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

For more information on Caller ID spoofing, please visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2026 Phone: 307-777-2438 Rabies Makes Its Return to Wyoming As summer approaches and temperatures rise, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is warning residents about wild animals that may carry rabies.  The most common carriers of rabies in our state are bats and skunks, but any mammal can be infected with rabies, including humans. The first confirmed case of rabies for 2026 occurred in May in Sheridan County.  A rabid bat was found in the backyard of a home in a downtown residential neighborhood.  This highlights the need to stay alert outdoors, not just in the woods.  Humans and pets can become infected from bites and scratches of an animal with rabies.  Rabies is not spread through the touch of an infected animal or its feces or urine. Bat bites are not always visible. Anyone who has direct contact with a bat or who wakes up with a bat in their room should immediately contact a doctor or public health provider for assessment. There were six confirmed cases of rabies in Wyoming animals last year.  “Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease,” says Dr. Emily Curren, a state public health veterinarian with the WDH.  She advises, “Anyone with potential exposure to a rabid animal should wash the wound thoroughly with warm water and soap, and seek medical advice about the need for rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.” General Tips for preventing rabies: Don’t touch or feed wild or stray animals. Treat animal bites with soap and water and contact a medical professional immediately. People waking to find a bat in their room or a child’s room should contact a medical professional immediately. Vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and other selected livestock for rabies and keep vaccinations up to date. For more information about rabies exposure in Wyoming, please visit: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/rabies/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2026 Phone: 307-777-2438 The Wyoming Department of Health Reminds People to Prevent Mosquito Bites This Summer Cheyenne, WY - June 1, 2026.  The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites as we move into warmer months to prevent West Nile Virus (WNV) infection.  “Even if you don’t get bitten by mosquitoes often, one bite can still put you at risk of WNV infection,” said Courtney Tillman, Epidemiologist at the WDH. “It’s important that we all take steps to prevent mosquito bites and WNV infection.” To protect yourself and your loved ones: When spending time outdoors, use insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency that contain DEET, picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535. Always follow label instructions. Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors.  Avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes that spread WNV are most active.  Use tightly fitted screens on windows to keep mosquitoes out.  Remove standing water around your home to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Use larvicides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, in water that does not drain, including ornamental ponds and water features. Always follow product instructions.    Most people infected with WNV show no symptoms. Approximately one in five people will have mild symptoms, like fever, headache, and body aches. In rare cases, severe illness or death can occur, particularly in those over the age of 55 or with chronic health conditions. Information from the WDH about WNV can be found at badskeeter.org.

 

 
       

 

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