Park County Public Health

02/18/2026

Winter weather forecast this evening through 11am tomorrow!

02/18/2026

NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS (DGA)

On January 7th, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). In the attached graphic, the new recommendations are on the right and the old on the left.

Main points of the new guidelines:

1. "Real food" is emphasized over "highly processed" food.
2. The new guidelines place more emphasis on proteins.
3. Foods high in saturated fat, like red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy, are now framed as sources of “healthy fats,” alongside nuts, oils, and seafood.
4. The new guidance recommends avoiding added sugar entirely until age 10, then limiting it to less than 10 grams per meal, compared to the previous limit of less than 10% of calories after age two.
5. The DGA replaces MyPlate with an inverted food pyramid. Protein, dairy, fats, vegetables, and fruit appear at the top, while whole grains are emphasized less.

https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA_508.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

02/13/2026

Parents — a bulky coat can create extra room in a booster seat. ❌

Thinner layers provide the same warmth, and your car's lap-and-shoulder belt will still fit snugly. 🧒✔️

02/12/2026

Did you know you can get your child’s vaccinations at Public Health for little to no cost to you? We participate in the Wyoming funded vaccine program.

02/10/2026

02/05/2026

Our hearts and prayers go out to this child’s family.

Wyoming Child’s Death Signals Influenza Seriousness
News from the Wyoming Department of Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Contact: Lindsay Mills
Phone: 307-777-8622

Wyoming Child’s Death Signals Influenza Seriousness

A recently reported flu-related death of a Fremont County child is a sad reminder that influenza can be a serious disease and should not be overlooked, according to a Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) official.

Dr. Alexia Harrist, State Health Officer with WDH, said, “Unfortunately, the death of a Fremont County child has been reported to us this week. The H3N2 ‘A’ virus has been dominant so far this season. Historically, seasons with high levels of H3N2 have been associated with more severe influenza illnesses with higher numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.” Nationwide, 52 pediatric deaths have been reported thus far during the 2025-2026 flu season; 90% of the children who have died were not up-to-date on flu vaccination.

Influenza is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. The most effective way to prevent severe illness from influenza is for everyone six months of age and older to get an updated flu vaccine every year. Flu shots remain available at many locations, including public health nursing offices, retail stores, and medical clinics. “Even though we’re well into the flu season, we expect that we will continue to see flu spreading in Wyoming for at least a few more months,” Harrist said. “For those who haven’t gotten a flu shot this year, getting one now will still have benefits.”

People can also take other measures to help slow or prevent influenza’s spread. “Staying home from work, school, day care, and errands when you are ill is important. Covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you sneeze and cough, and frequently washing your hands are also effective,” Harrist said.

Healthcare providers may recommend prescription antiviral medications to help treat influenza. These medications may be especially helpful for persons at higher risk for flu complications such as young children, older adults, persons with chronic medical conditions, persons with challenged immune systems, pregnant women, persons less than 19 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy for other conditions, those who are extremely overweight, and residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.

“For antiviral medications to be a good option, it is important to seek medical care quickly once you become ill,” Harrist said.

02/03/2026

Always be prepared and stay safe. Thanks for the photo Johnson County Public Health!

02/03/2026

Where can I find reliable information about vaccines?

Click the link below for this informative article from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA):

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2844709?guestAccessKey=89f0a7c5-a546-484f-89b0-489110bdc29f&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postup_jn&utm_campaign=article_alert-jamainternalmedicine&utm_content=olf-tfl_&utm_term=013026

01/29/2026

🔴Recalls for the Week🔴
01/21/2026 through 01/28/2026
✔️Gerber Products Company Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Batches of Arrowroot Biscuits Out of an Abundance of Caution Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material Following Supplier Recall

Read full:https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-products-company-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-batches-arrowroot-biscuits-out-abundance

01/29/2026

SHARED CLINICAL DECISION MAKING

The phrases "shared clinical decision making" (SCDM) and "individual choice" have been used a lot lately in relation to childhood immunizations. Here's a chart that helps differentiate what phrases like this actually mean and how they have been used.