Last year, an estimated 5.8 million people worldwide were newly infected with HIV. Nearly half of all new infections occurred in young people between the ages of 15-24. In fact, according to United Nations AIDS office, five people, between the ages of 10-24, are infected with HIV each minute. This results in 7,000 new youth infections every day and 2.6 million infections each year. In the U.S., AIDS related illnesses are the sixth leading cause of death for young people. By 1997, 13,000 young adults were reported with HIV, most through sexual contact. Yet, in our society, many adults are still reluctant to talk openly with young people about sex. Thus far, in 1998, 28 Utahns between the ages of 13-29 have been reported with HIV disease. Many, many more young people are impacted by the disease through their relationships with the nearly 2,400 Utahns living with the disease.

Clearly not every young person is at risk for HIV/AIDS, but many are. Youth who may be include:

Although there have been increasing numbers of HIV prevention programs targeted to youth, many programs fail to address the issues which put youth most at risk including injection and other drug use and unsafe sex practices. It is vital that young people learn how to protect themselves from all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Infection with one STD increases the risk of a second infection and STD rates within some populations are alarmingly high. Among African-American teenagers in the U.S., for example, gonorrhea rates are four times higher than the average rate. In Utah, 70% of reportable STDs are among youth. Factors that contribute to infection of all types of STDs include unstable relationships/serial monogamy/multiple partners; anatomical susceptibility (especially of young women); the sense of invulnerability many young people have; inadequate access to health care/use of services with particular concerns about parental involvement or lack of money.

In addition, community norms which discourage discussion of sex in general can inhibit frank discussions of safer sex practices and related issues. Studies from around the country indicate that many young people do not understand the risks of anal sex and many who are engaging it, are not protecting themselves against infection. For some youth, this information can make the difference between life and death.

Prevention programs and communities must also address the social context of HIV risk. This requires addressing issues related to family systems, violence and abuse, self-esteem and personal/social responsibility, communication, etc. While dealing with these issues may not be easy, we must if we want to create a world where the HIV risks to our young people are decreased. To do so requires the commitment of all of us, regardless of gender, age, HIV status, profession, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

On December 1, 1998, Utah, along with the rest of the world, will observe the eleventh annual World AIDS Day. The theme this year is "Be A Force for Change." This organized effort is designed to encourage public support for programs that prevent the spread of HIV infection and to provide education and awareness of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day ‘98 kicks off a year long campaign to raise awareness about youth and HIV/AIDS. This Fall, organizations throughout the state have been working with youth to design and implement HIV prevention activities. The theme, "Be a Force for Change," challenges young people around the world to recognize the crucial role they play in the ever-changing course of the AIDS pandemic. The theme is intended to be a call to action for young people and adults.

Young people can get involved in reducing their risk and the spread of HIV/AIDS by educating their peers and by developing responsible, healthy habits. Adults can support youth in their efforts to do so. Adults can also support youth by developing policies which protect the rights of young people to be informed and educated about the risk of HIV/AIDS, by establishing programs which provide access to needed medical and social services and by ensuring that young people are protected from discrimination or exploitation resulting from their lifestyle choices. Every adult in the state has an opportunity this next year to show their commitment to keeping Utah kids safe and healthy, physically and emotionally, by becoming educated about HIV disease and by working to ameliorate the social conditions which contribute to the risk of infection.

The kick-off event will be the annual candlelight vigil. It will be held on Tuesday, December 1st at 5:30, at Rowland-Hall St. Marks High School in Salt Lake City. The purpose of the vigil is to remember those who have died from complications related to HIV/AIDS, to come together in support of those living with the disease, which includes increasing numbers of Utah youth and to recognize the millions of young adults worldwide who are affected - directly and indirectly - by HIV/AIDS. The entire candlelight vigil program will be youth focused. Youth, their teachers, families and friends are strongly encouraged to attend. COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UTAH YOUTH!

We will post weekly updates of Utah’s influenza activity on the listserver during influenza season. We will also post information about influenza subtypes as soon as this becomes available. If you would like to receive this timely information, you are invited to subscribe by sending a message to lyris@list.state.ut.us with ‘Subscribe microbiology’ in the subject line. (To unsubscribe, send a message to the same address with ‘Unsubscribe microbiology’ in the subject line.) Once you are a member, you can post messages by sending a post to microbiology@list.state.ut.us. (and please include a relevant subject line).

In 1969 President Nixon stopped all offensive biological weapon research in the United States. Since 1969, USAMRIID has been conducting defensive biological warfare research. The US along with other countries signed a treaty prohibiting the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons in 1972. However, there are some countries and terrorist organizations that continue to support or actively participate in the development and production of biological weapons agents. Biological terrorism has occurred in the United States. In 1984, a religious group put salmonella into salad bars of restaurants in The Dalles, Oregon area to influence a local election. More than 750 persons became ill in that incident. More recently, several hoax incidents involving anthrax and other agents have occurred.

Today, the most significant agents that might be used by terrorists include anthrax, brucellosis, pneumonic plague, tularemia, smallpox, viral encephalidities, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and toxins such as the botulinum toxins, ricin, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. The most likely method of deploying these agents is through aerial dispersion, although direct contamination of food or water may also be used.

Except for pneumonic plague and smallpox, infections with organisms are not transmissible by casual person-to- person contact. Only those persons who were directly exposed to the contaminated air, water or food would become infected. The lethality of these agents range from almost no mortality to very high numbers. Diagnosis can be difficult because of the non-differentiating signs and symptoms or due to the fact that few clinicians have seen cases of these agents. Disease resulting from biological terrorism may be difficult to distinguish from a naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak. Good epidemiology is important in identifying these events. Maintaining effective disease surveillance is an essential first step in preparedness and is important in effective law enforcement activities.

The Epidemiology Newsletter is published monthly by the Utah Department of Health, Division of Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, to disseminate epidemiologic information to the health care professional and the general public.

Approval 8000008: Appropriation 3705