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Highlights
Giardiasis
The Office of Epidemiology noted a statistically significant increase
in suspected and confirmed giardiasis cases reported in Utah during
May. No more than 21 suspected and/or confirmed cases of the disease
are expected to be reported in May, but the Office of Epidemiology
received 23 reports of the disease from 7 of Utah's 12 health districts.
This increase is currently being investigated.
Kawasaki
Syndrome
In May, the Office of Epidemiology received information regarding
15 cases of Kawasaki Syndrome with symptom onset during 2004 (that
translates to 1.5 cases per 100,000 population per year). By comparison,
estimated rates in those of European heritage are 9 per 100,000
population per year. Kawasaki Syndrome is significantly underdiagnosed
and underreported both nationally and statewide. To date, the etiologic
agent of Kawasaki Syndrome is unknown, but thought to be infectious.
Rabies
The state laboratory reported the first positive animal rabies case
of the year on May 17. The rabid animal, a Big Brown bat (Eptesicus
fuscus), was submitted following exposure to a 10-month old
domestic dog. The dog was vaccinated for rabies, therefore, animal
control officers ensured that the animal was revaccinated immediately
and kept under the owner's control for a 45-day observation. Rabies
was detected in a second bat on May 27 at the Utah State University
Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. A child was exposed to the bat and is
receiving post-exposure prophylactic treatment.
Rheumatic
Fever
According to the University of Utah, Utah's rheumatic fever rates
continue to exceed national rates for reasons unknown. The disease
is significantly underreported so the Office of Epidemiology cannot
confirm Utah's rates.
West
Nile Virus (WNV)
Nationwide, 18 states reported WNV activity in May (mostly in birds
and mosquitoes). Four states, including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado,
and Texas, reported illness in horses during the month. The first
2 human WNV cases of 2004 were reported in May. One case was identified
in northwest New Mexico and another in southern Arizona.
In Utah,
dead bird surveillance began May 17. None of the 15 birds tested
were positive for West Nile virus infection. Mosquito surveillance
began May 31 and sentinel chicken surveillance will begin June 7.
Eight horses were tested in May for West Nile virus and 1 tested
positive. The disease was discovered in a horse transported to Utah
from Arizona. The animal came to Utah from Arizona on May 18, became
symptomatic on May 20, and showed clinical signs of CNS problems
on May 22. The horse was euthanized on May 28. Horses are not a
reservoir for the virus and do not transmit the disease. At this
point, we do not consider this a Utah case as the animal was incubating
the illness in Arizona.
There
is a vaccine available for horses. Please contact your veterinarian
or the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for more information
regarding the equine vaccine.
The total
number of confirmed cases for 20 selected diseases, reported by
Utah health
districts, is provided below (Table
1 and Figure 1). Click on the disease
names in Table 1 to access their corresponding fact sheets. Click
here
for sexually-transmitted disease epidemiologic data. Click here
for AIDS/HIV epidemiologic data.
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