|
Highlights
Influenza
More than 10 times the number of influenza cases were reported
in April 2005 than in April 2004 as a result of the seasonality
of the disease. The peak of the 2003-2004 influenza season occurred
in December 2003, while the peak of the 2004-2005 influenza season
occurred in mid-February, which is why so many additional cases
were reported in April 2005 compared to the same time period last
year. The number of reported cases has continued to decrease statewide
since mid-February, particularly in areas along the Wastach Front.
The proportion of patients visiting sentinel providers for influenza-like
illness also decreased during the month. This influenza season appears
to be much less severe than the 2003-2004 influenza season, according
to hospitalization reports. To date, there have been much fewer
influenza-related hospitalizations reported for this season compared
to last year. Click here
for more information about the flu season and the disease.
Measles
One confirmed measles case was reported from Southwest Utah.
Measles symptoms usually appear 8 to 12 days after exposure to the
virus. Initial symptoms include cough, fever of 101 degrees or greater,
runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The rash usually begins a few
days later around the ears and hairline and spreads to cover the
face, trunk, and arms. The average time from exposure to appearance
of the rash is 14 days. Measles is a highly contagious disease.
The virus is found in nose and throat secretions of infected people.
Direct contact with secretions or exposure to the cough or sneeze
of an infected person can spread the disease. Doctors that suspect
measles in a patient should report it immediately to a local health
department or the Utah Department of Health (1-888-EPI-UTAH). Click
here
to read more about measles and click here
to compare Utah measles rates with U.S. rates. Figure
2 below summarizes major measles outbreaks during the 1900-2000
time period.
Pertussis
("Whooping Cough")
The number of reported
pertussis cases continues to be higher than expected in Utah, especially
from communities along the Wasatch Front. Pertussis outbreaks have
been reported in many states this year. Pertussis is a common cause
of chronic coughing during community outbreaks. Testing for pertussis
can help interrupt the spread of the disease and guide doctors in
the appropriate use of antibiotics for treatment of the bacterial
infection. Like other areas of the U.S., the Utah Department of
Health has observed a disproportionate increase in the number of
cases reported among adolescents and adults. Historically, the majority
of reported cases have been among unvaccinated children. Click here
for more information about the disease and click here
to compare Utah pertussis rates with U.S. rates.
The total
number of confirmed and suspect cases for 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 corresponding fact sheets. Click
here
for sexually-transmitted disease epidemiologic data. Click here
for AIDS/HIV epidemiologic data.
|
