I called around to several public health offices in San
Diego, the city where I was born, New York, the city I’ll most likely be moving
to after graduation, and here in Provo and Salt Lake area, because I’m here. A
representative from the Salt Lake County Health department called me back and
directed me to the Infectious Disease department. After explaining who I was
and that I was interested in infectious disease trends in the area, the woman I
spoke to, Angela, put me on hold and then came back on the line long enough to
tell me to visit a certain web page on their site showing the most recent
statistics for infectious diseases in the Salt Lake area.
I chose to
look at the statistics for incidence of disease for 2013. The top 5 diseases in
order of frequency of incidence according the Utah monthly Communicable Disease
Report for February 2013 are Chlamydia (1,133), Gonorrhea (101),
Influenza-associated hospitalization (582), Pertussis (70), and Campylobacteriosis
(58).
Chlamydia is the most common
bacterial STD in the US, though it can also on rare cases cause urinary tract
infections. “Chlamydial infections continue to represent the largest number of
reportable disease cases annually, both in Utah and nationally. Chlamydia rates
in Utah have increased over each of the past five years, with a 24% increase
from 2007 to 2011” (Utah 2011). Chlamydia is often asymptomatic so it’s
possible the increasing figures may represent increased screening, more
accurate testing, and efforts by public health officials to screen and educate
young adults, who statistically test positive more frequently. Chlamydia is
also more frequently found with females.
Gonorrhea is another bacterial STD
which is trending in the Salt Lake County. The statistical trends for Gonorrhea
are similar to that of Chlamydia, with the one marked difference being the
incidence of disease is far greater with men than women. “Incidence rates of
gonorrhea in Utah have declined over each of the past five years, with a 66%
decrease in gonorrhea rates from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, the Utah gonorrhea rate
was one-tenth of the national rate” (Utah 2011).
The influenza virus is another
trend, though not an alarming one at this time. Incidence rates for 2013 are
not dramatically different than previous years. According to the “Top 10
Communicable Disease Report,” this past influenza season has been about the
same as previous non-pandemic years.
Pertussis, also known as Whooping
Cough made a come back a few years ago, and it looks like its here to stay.
incidence of Whooping Cough in Utah are much higher than the national average,
and the statistics are climbing. “The 645 cases of pertussis in 2011 are nearly
double the cases seen in 2010. Pertussis is cyclical in nature and typically
peaks in activity every 3-4 years. Numerous outbreaks of this
vaccine-preventable disease were reported in 2011. The last year that Utah saw
high levels of pertussis circulating was 2006” (Utah 2011). Children 14 years
old and younger have the highest incidence of disease, possibly due to their
lack of vaccination.
Campylobacteriosis
is a common bacterial infection causing food poisoning. Incidence rates in Utah
are not significant and these statistics follow normal trends.
Sources:
Salt Lake County Health Department: Infectious Disease
385-468-4222
“Top 10 Communicable Disease Report, Utah, 2011” [Utah 2011]
http://health.utah.gov/epi/topdiseaserpt/2011_Top_10.pdf
“Utah Monthly Communicable Disease Report: February 2013”
[2013] Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology.
“Pertussis Weekly Summary, 2013”
No comments:
Post a Comment