Jessica Rigler

About Jessica Rigler

Jessica Rigler, an Arizona native, began her public health career more than 15 years ago, serving in varied roles with local, state, federal, and international public health agencies. Jessica has been with the Arizona Department of Health Services for over 12 years, supporting evaluation activities with the state immunization program, serving as the state’s first Healthcare Associated Infections Coordinator, and leading the Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control. She is currently an Assistant Director overseeing the Division of Public Health Preparedness at ADHS, which spans the areas of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Statistics, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory. In recent years, Jessica has worked with the ADHS team to lead critical public health responses including opioids and COVID-19. Jessica holds Bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and human development from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s degree in public health from Emory University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and certified in infection control.

It’s a week to get to know more about antibiotics

By |2021-11-23T15:54:59-07:00November 23rd, 2021|Preparedness|

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual event that occurs this year from Nov. 18-24 to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic use to decrease the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are important tools to help fight bacterial infections and potentially save lives; however, some bacteria may develop resistance to these medications. Antibiotic [...]

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Take steps to keep foodborne illness from spoiling holiday gatherings

By |2021-11-22T10:16:10-07:00November 22nd, 2021|Preparedness|

The holiday season that begins on Thanksgiving and continues through New Year’s means many things to many people. One thing it means to most of us is food. Meals and appetizers with family and friends help make the holiday season special. But there can be a downside to all that delicious food. If it isn’t [...]

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Arizona needs everyone’s help to flatten the COVID-19 curve

By |2021-11-20T07:47:32-07:00November 19th, 2021|Preparedness|

The 5,070 COVID-19 cases added today to the ADHS dashboard don’t have an asterisk. COVID-19 cases are rising.  We can’t say exactly why this increase is happening even before the holiday season, though cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to be largely among unvaccinated people. But we all know how to flatten the curve. That’s why [...]

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Cord blood a key to saving lives, treating diseases

By |2021-11-15T13:08:03-07:00November 15th, 2021|Preparedness|

A joyous occasion for parents around the world – the birth of a baby – can bring something just as miraculous to patients. Cord blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a child is born is helping doctors treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases. The collection process occurs after the baby is [...]

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Addition of 5-11 affects dashboard percentage for ‘eligible people vaccinated’

By |2021-11-11T09:46:43-07:00November 10th, 2021|Preparedness|

With the welcome addition of 5- to 11-year-olds to those eligible to receive the safe, free, and highly effective COVID-19 vaccination, starting today you’ll see a short-term decrease in the “Percent of eligible people vaccinated” metric on our Vaccine Administration dashboard.  Previously, this number was calculated by dividing the number of people who have received [...]

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COVID-19 vaccines recommended, even for those who’ve already had COVID

By |2021-11-02T08:09:52-07:00November 2nd, 2021|Preparedness|

As ADHS and our partners work to educate people about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, we are often emphasizing that the vaccine is recommended for everyone 12 and older, including those who have had a previous COVID-19 infection.  A new CDC report published last week demonstrates the importance of getting your COVID-19 vaccine, even if [...]

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Track or Treat: Watch out for those environmental frights

By |2021-10-29T09:16:55-07:00October 29th, 2021|Preparedness|

Ghosts and goblins aren’t alone among the scary things in your neighborhood this Halloween. ADHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are ready to share information that can help you protect yourself from environmental dangers. Track or Treat highlights environmental public health – with a Halloween twist. Its goal: increasing awareness of [...]

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Here are some tricks for COVID-safer Halloween

By |2021-10-26T13:20:56-07:00October 26th, 2021|Preparedness|

Even with COVID-19 still active in our communities, a fun Halloween can be had with a little attention to mitigation steps we all know well by now.  Most importantly, whether you’re receiving or handing out candy this Halloween, stay home and away from others if you feel ill. If you and your costumed kids are [...]

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Lead remains a hazard for Arizona’s children

By |2021-10-22T10:46:51-07:00October 22nd, 2021|Preparedness|

Even though it has been more than 40 years since the federal government banned the manufacturing of lead-based paint and even longer since the U.S. moved away from gasoline containing lead, exposure to this toxic metal remains a danger to Arizonans, especially children. Looking toward Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from Oct. 24-30, the Arizona Department [...]

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CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Very Effective at Preventing Hospitalization Among Adolescents

By |2021-10-21T14:01:49-07:00October 21st, 2021|Preparedness|

If your adolescent child remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a compelling reason to get him or her vaccinated. The CDC’s latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report details a study that found the Pfizer vaccine, the only one currently authorized for use for those [...]

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