Chlamydia tops list of communicable diseases top disease in Davis County

FARMINGTON — Sexually transmitted diseases remain the most common communicable diseases among Davis County residents.

In 2009, STDs accounted for more than half of all communicable diseases reported. Topping the list was chlamydia with 735 cases.

That's an increase of 200 cases from 2008, according to a preliminary communicable disease report prepared by the Davis County Health Department.

County epidemiologist Brian Hatch shared the report Tuesday with members of the Davis County Board of Health.

Influenza that led to hospitalizations came in second with 153 cases and was followed by hepatitis C, latent tuberculosis infections, chicken pox, streptococcal invasive disease, gonorrhea, giardia, hepatitis B and salmonella.

Gonorrhea, another STD, made one of the most significant jumps, from 11th place in 2008 to seventh place in 2009.

Davis County has seen an increase in STD rates since 1999, when infection rates were 50 per 100,000 people, Hatch said. Now infection rates for chlamydia and gonorrhea are 233 per 100,000 people, he said.

One of the reasons more infections are reported is because more testing is taking place, Hatch said.

"Testing is the key," he said. "You have to know you have it before we can treat."

Many cases of the STDs don't show symptoms, Hatch said.

"People out there don't know they're infected," he said. "They're spreading it but never know they have it."

Treatment for the two STDs is simple: a single injection for gonorrhea and a single pill for chlamydia.

Two types of influenza were responsible for 153 hospitalizations last year in Davis County. The seasonal flu sent 36 people to the hospital, while the novel H1N1 influenza virus sent 121 people to the hospital and was responsible for six deaths.

Other diseases of note in 2009 included West Nile virus, which showed up in mosquito pools in Davis County but never resulted in a hospitalization, Hatch said.

The final report is expected to be posted in coming days on the health department's Web site, www.daviscountyutah.gov/health.

Cases of communicable diseases in Davis County in 2009

Chlamydia, 735

Influenza (hospitalized), 153

Hepatitis C, 115

Latent tuberculosis, 100

Chicken pox, 97

Source: Davis County Health Department

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