| Disease
Data and Graphics
The total
number of confirmed and suspected cases for selected diseases, reported
by Utah health
districts, is provided below (Table
1 and Figure 1). The
data are preliminary and subject to change upon completion of the
disease investigations. Suspected cases are cases that may either
become confirmed or may be determined to be not a case once the
disease investigation has been completed. Click on the disease names
in the table to access their corresponding fact sheets. Click here
for sexually transmitted disease epidemiologic data. Click here
for AIDS/HIV epidemiologic data.
November
2005 Epidemiology Highlights
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides.
The fungus lives in the soil in certain areas of the southwestern
U.S. The number of infections reported varies from year to year,
typically depending upon rainfall and soil conditions. In Utah,
11 coccidioidomycosis cases were reported in November 2005, compared
to 5 cases reported in November 2004. The majority of cases were
reported in the southwestern part of the state. Southwestern Utah
has experienced above average rainfall during the past spring and
summer months, which may explain the increase in reported cases.
Click here
for more information about the disease.
Influenza
Click here
to view up-to-date information on influenza virus activity in the
state.
Pertussis
The number of reported pertussis cases in Utah continued to be higher
than expected during November, especially from communities along
the Wasatch Front, northern Utah, and southeast Utah. Pertussis
outbreaks have also been reported in many parts of the U.S. this
year. Pertussis is a common cause of chronic coughing during community
outbreaks (click here
to hear samples of whooping cough sounds). Testing and vaccination
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. Pertussis is spread by close contact with people
that are contagious. Sick people can spread the disease when they
talk, cough, or sneeze.
Historically, the majority of reported pertussis cases have been
identified among unvaccinated children. Like other state health
departments, the Utah Department of Health has observed a disproportionate
increase in the number of cases reported among Utah adolescents
and adults. Immunity from childhood vaccination generally begins
to wear off after five to 10 years, leaving many adolescents susceptible
to this highly contagious disease. However, a new pertussis booster
vaccine for adolescents received approval from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2005. The new vaccine helps protect
adolescents and adults from pertussis, and reduces the risk of spreading
the disease to infants. Previously, there was no pertussis vaccine
approved for use in the U.S. in children seven years of age or older.
Call the Immunization Hotline (1-800-275-0659) for more information
on the vaccine. Click here
for more information on pertussis and click
here to compare historical Utah pertussis rates with national rates.
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