Preliminary
Infectious Disease Summary, Utah, November 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 occurrence 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.
November 2006 Epidemiology Highlights
Chickenpox
The number of reported chickenpox cases has been higher than expected areas along the Wasatch Front, central Utah, and northern Utah for the past several weeks. Chickenpox is usually a childhood disease that is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with infected people or by airborne spread from respiratory tract secretions. Chickenpox preventive measures include receiving the vaccine that was licensed in 1995 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine can be administered to healthy people aged 1 year or older who have had no previous chickenpox illness. Call the Immunization Hotline (1-800-275-0659) for more information on the vaccine. Click here for more information about chickenpox.
Streptococcal Group B Infections (invasive disease)
The number of invasive streptococcal group B infections reported to the Utah Department of Health was higher than expected in November. Public health officials are collaborating with medical providers to determine why there has been an increase in the number of cases associated with this disease. Pregnant women with the bacterial infection, who can pass the disease to their newborn children, and people in long-term care facilities, are the main groups within the population that are most commonly affected by the disease.
Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
The number of invasive pneumococcal diseases reported in November was higher than expected. Thirteen suspected and confirmed cases were reported along the Wasatch Front during this month. There are several preventive measures that may be taken against invasive pneumococcal disease. There are pediatric and adult versions of a pneumococcal vaccine that may reduce the occurrence of severe disease in both infants and older adults (the two most commonly affected age groups). Click here for more information on invasive pneumococcal disease.
