Preliminary
Infectious Disease Summary, Utah, January 2006
Disease
Data and Graphics
A preliminary total number
of confirmed and suspect cases for selected diseases, reported by
Utah health
districts, is provided below (Table I and Figure I). These numbers are subject to change
upon the completion of ongoing disease investigations. "Suspect"
cases are cases that may become confirmed upon final investigation
or may be dismissed as a case when the investigation has been completed. Figure II represents the percent change in
selected communicable disease incidence in 2006 when compared to
a 5-year average.
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.
January 2006 Epidemiology
Highlights
Pertussis
The number of reported pertussis cases in Utah continued to be higher
than expected during January, especially from communities along
the Wasatch Front and northern Utah. Pertussis outbreaks have also
been reported in many parts of the U.S. this year. Utah pertussis
rates for 2005 were approximately three times higher than U.S. rates.
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 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. It is
recommended that adults from 19 to 64 years of age be vaccinated with
the new (Tdap) booster. The new vaccine helps protect adults from
pertussis, and reduces the risk of spreading the disease to infants.
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.
