|
Highlights
Giardiasis
The number
of Giardia infections reported from along the Wasatch Front
was higher than expected for May. Forty-five suspected and confirmed
cases were reported, while an average of nearly 20 cases have been
reported during that month for the past five years. Public health
is investigating the situation. Click here
for more information about Giardia infections.
Influenza
More than 3 times the number of influenza cases were reported
in May 2005 than in May 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 May 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.
Click here for more information
about the flu season and the disease.
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.
|
