The UCHD continues its epidemiological investigation of campylobacter in the Saratoga Springs area. With the assistance of the Utah Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Case Definitions” have been established. These are used to classify individuals for statistical reporting purposes, and gives public health the opportunity to find trends in disease, sources, etc.
Individuals are considered “Confirmed Cases” of this outbreak if they lived and/or visited the area since April 12th, have had symptoms consistent with campylobacter (diarrhea, vomiting) after April 13th, and have a laboratory test confirming campylobacter. Individuals are “Probable Cases” is they have all the above except the lab confirmation.
As of May 20th, the UCHD has reported 17 confirmed cases and 333 probable cases in connection with this outbreak. The UCHD is continuing the investigation, as well as notifying physicians of the outbreak and making recommendations for residents. The UCHD continues to be concerned about secondary infections, and would advise precaution for anyone who is or has been sick in the last 10 days.
If you believe you or your family members have been effected by this outbreak, please contact the UCHD Office of Epidemiology at 801-851-7037 or by emailing uchlth.lisag@state.ut.us.
This is current information as of May 20th, 3pm, and subject to change upon further investigation.
Updated: May 19, 2010, 5pm
The UCHD continues to work with UDOH, UDEQ, and Saratoga Springs on this issue. UCHD is continuing to investigate both symptomatic as well as lab reported cases, and are findings are still consistent with earlier information. We have 15 lab confirmed cases of campylobacter at this time. We have not been finding “new” cases, but individuals that were either a) sick previously and we are just receiving notice, or B) Secondary infections, where other members of the household were sick and apparently passed it to new members. This is secondary infection is the greatest concern of the UCHD at this point.The City of Saratoga Springs is continuing to take water samples to test for coliform bacteria (a good preliminary indicator of contamination). They are also continuing to add chlorine to the drinking water supply to ensure safety. Water samples are also being collected and tested from the secondary water (pressurized irrigation) system.
Updated: May 17, 2010, 3pm
The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) is continuing to work with the City of Saratoga Springs, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Department of Health, and other public and private organizations to determine the cause of this campylobacter outbreak. Since May 11th, 15 lab confirmed cases of campylobacter have been reported to the UCHD. We also have reports of many more individuals who are ill with symptoms consistent with campylobacter. The UCHD epistemology staff have been interviewing affected individuals to find a source of the disease. As of now the only common source among cases is the public water system.
On Thursday, May 13th, at the advice of the UCHD the City of Saratoga Springs issued a boil order for residents on the north side of the city. On Friday, May 14th, the city flushed the drinking or culinary water system and added chlorine to kill any lingering bacteria.
Samples were also taken from the system and tested for coliform bacteria -– a commonly used bacterial indicator for such things as e. Coli and campylobacter. Initial test results for coliform bacteria came back Saturday and were negative for bacteria, therefore the boil order was lifted. The Utah County Health Department is continuing its investigation into the disease outbreak.
