Diseases and Surveillance
The Epidemiology division of the health department is responsible for disease surveillance throughout Southeast Utah. The goal of this program is to prevent sickness and death from diseases and environmental hazards, and to monitor diseases to reduce their spread. The division is also responsible for monitoring and responding to potential bioterrorism threats/events, communicable disease outbreaks, epidemics / pandemics, and other unusual occurrences of illness.
Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are spread from a variety of ways such as: breathing in airborne viruses, being bitten by an animal or insect, and/or contact with blood or bodily fluids.
The Epidemiology program at the Southeast Utah Health Department works to detect, investigate, and prevent further transmission of communicable diseases in Carbon, Emery, and Grand counties.
Catch the Answers
The best way to prevent STDs is to talk about them. This resource is for anyone with questions, doubts, or needing a second source of information on STDs. This tool can help you understand how STDs are spread, where you can seek treatment/testing, and the best prevention measures for your situation.
Monkeypox (MPX)
Data Analysis
A large portion of the Epidemiology division is collecting, evaluating, and presenting data on health and environmental concerns in Carbon, Emery, and Grand counties. The Southeast Utah Health Department collects the largest portion of this data from the Community Health Assessment.
Community Assessment
Every 5 years, the Southeast Utah Health Department conducts a community wide health assessment to understand and evaluate the mental/emotional health of the residents along with their environmental concerns. The full report can be found here.
Food Poisoning
Think you got sick from something you ate? Don’t let it go unknown.
Let us know by answering a few questions. We can’t prevent others from getting sick if we aren’t aware of a problem!
To report food poisoning, click here.
Lead Testing
**Carbon County ONLY**
The Southeast Utah Health Department is looking at lead levels in children. Please fill out the bellow survey for the children living in your home. If you answer “Yes” or “Do Not Know” to any of the questions, you are eligible for a free lead test. Call 435-636-1166 to schedule a test!
To fill out the quick survey, click here.
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Neurodegenerative
Diseases
Prion Diseases (TSEs – Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) are neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and animals. These disorders are caused by certain proteins in the brain that fold in unusual ways. Prion diseases develop fast and always result in death.
Below you will find the human prion diseases scientists have discovered to date.
CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)
For detailed information on CJD, click here.
vCJD (Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)
For detailed information on vCJD, click here.
Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Syndrome
Fatal Familial Insomnia
Kuru
Hunters and Farmers
Bird Flu
Bird flu (Avian influenza) is a respiratory disease that affects wild and domestic birds throughout the world. It spreads very quickly by either direct bird-to-bird contact or indirectly through contaminated surfaces. If you own birds whether on your farm or in your backyard, you need to protect your birds from disease. In a single day, bird flu can multiply and infect every bird on your premises!
Visit Utah Department of Agriculture and Food here for more information.
BSE & CWD
Prion diseases affect animals throughout the United States. The two most common forms in the U.S. are BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease).
BSE is also known as Mad Cow Disease and is found in cattle. Infected cattle are able to transmit the disease to people (vCJD), leading to death of the animal and the person.
CWD affects deer, elk, and moose in the U.S. This disease can be found in both free ranging animals as well as captive animals. Below is an up-to-date map of all reported CWD cases in the U.S. Animals will usually present with significant weight loss and stumbling. CWD is always fatal to animals.
Chronic Wasting Disease Among Free-Ranging Cervids by County, United States, (Updated January 2022)
Physician Reporting
The State of Utah and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection require certain diseases to be reported to health departments. For the full list of these diseases please click here.
To report a disease, please fill out this form.
The Southeast Utah Health Department also requires all foodborne illnesses to be reported in order to properly investigate the source. If you have a patient diagnosed with a foodborne illness, please fill out this form.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Childhood vaccinations are essential steps families can take to protect their children from potentially life-threatening diseases. Click here for reference on when your child should be vaccinated.
Click on the disease to learn more
Chickenpox
Chickenpox (varicella) can cause blisters and a fever. The blister rash can spread over the entire body and some children can have as many as 500 blisters. This disease can become series, even life-threatening.
Click here for more information.
Diphtheria
This disease starts out as a sore throat but can cause a thick coating in the back of the nose or throat. Diphtheria can become life-threatening with 1 out of 5 children (those younger than 5 years old) dying.
Click here for more information.
Hepatitis A /B
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes severe liver disease and children can pass the virus to adults around them. The adults exposed to the Hepatitis A virus can become very sick.
Click here for more information on Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B also causes severe liver disease and can become chronic. Chronic, or lifelong, hepatitis B can cause serious health complications and liver cancer.
Click here for more information on Hepatitis B.
Hib
Hib disease is caused by a bacteria infection. Babies and children younger than 5 years old are the most at risk of Hib disease and it can cause lifelong disabilities and be deadly.
Click here for more information on Hib.
HPV
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a collection of over 150 similar viruses that infect men and women. Every year, these viruses infect around 13 million people, including teens. Some HPV infections will not go away on their own and can cause multiple types of cancers.
Click here for more information on HPV.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Measles
Measles is a serious lung disease that is very contagious. It causes a rash and fever that can be deadly. In babies and young children, measles can cause deafness, lifelong brain damage, pneumonia, and even death.
Click here for more information on Measles.
Mumps
Mumps spreads through coughing and sneezing. There is no treatment for mumps and it can lead to long-term health issues. In serious cases, mumps can cause brain swelling and deafness.
Click here for more information on Mumps.
Rubella
Rubella infection is most serious in pregnant women. It can cause miscarriage, or multiple different types of birth defects. Some birth defects include; intellectual disability, liver damage, heart defects, and blindness.
Click here for more information on Rubella.
Meningococcal Disease
Food Poisoning
Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The most common types of infection are meningitis (infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and infections of the bloodstream. This disease can progress very quickly with someone going from healthy to ill in 48 hours. Even if treatment is given, 10-15 people out of 100 will die.
Click here for more information on Meningococcal Disease.
Pertussis
Pertussis, Whopping cough, is a very series respiratory infection that can cause intense coughing fits. Pertussis is most harmful for young children and babies and can be life threatening.
Click here for more information on Pertussis.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal Disease is caused from a bacteria and can infect the ears, lungs, blood and brain. If it turns serious, it can cause lifelong disability or death. Those most at risk of disease are children younger than 2 years old.
Click here for more information on Pneumococcal Disease.
Polio
Polio is a caused by a virus and can cause serious disabilities and death. The virus can attack the nervous system and cause paralysis. Children younger than 5 years old are the most at risk.
Click here for more information on Polio.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus disease causes severs vomiting and diarrhea and can lead to serious dehydration (loss of fluid in the body). If untreated, this can turn deadly.
Click here for more information on Rotavirus.
Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a poison made from bacteria that causes painful muscle contractions. It often causes a person’s mouth and jaw to lock, making it difficult to open their mouth and swallow.
Click here for more information on Tetanus.