Preliminary
Infectious Disease Summary, Utah, January 2007
January
2007 Epidemiology Highlights
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 2007 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.
Pertussis
The number of reported pertussis cases in Utah continued
to be higher than expected during January. Many other states
in the U.S. have also reported a sustained increase in the number
of pertussis cases during the past year. Utah pertussis cases
are
associated with clusters in schools, families and the workplace.
Case counts include suspect cases under investigation and confirmed
cases.
Pertussis is a common
cause of chronic coughing during community outbreaks (click here to
hear samples of whooping cough sounds). Pertussis is spread by
close contact with people that are contagious. Sick people can
spread the disease when they talk, cough or sneeze. 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. A new pertussis booster
vaccine for adolescents received approval by the FDA in May 2005.
It is recommended that adults from 19 to 64 years of age be vaccinated
with the new (Tdap) booster to prevent the disease. The new vaccine
helps protect adults from pertussis, and reduces the risk of
spreading the disease to infants, who are at greatest risk of
complications associated with the disease. 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.
Salmonellosis
The number of reported cases of salmonellosis was
higher than expected from areas along the Wasatch Front and northern
Utah. Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection of the stomach and
intestines caused by Salmonella bacteria. Several local health
departments are investigating an outbreak of this disease.
Click here to read more
about Salmonella infections.
