Epidemiology

The Epidemiology Bureau monitors the health of the community in Salt Lake County and helps protect our residents from foodborne illnesses, emerging infectious diseases, and other communicable diseases. The qualified and trained epidemiologists in the bureau:

• investigate reportable diseases
• conduct surveillance activities for diseases
• analyze and interpret data to prevent diseases

Epidemiology Bureau
Salt Lake Public Health Center
610 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
385-468-4194

• COVID-19 Dashboard
• Influenza (Flu) Dashboard (updated only during flu season)
• Weekly Infectious Disease Report

Annual Reports

2021

• 2021-22 Influenza Report

2020

• 2020-21 Influenza Report

2019

• 2019-20 Influenza Report

2018

• 2018 Infectious Disease Morbidity Report
• 2018-19 Influenza Report
• 2018 Pertussis Report
• 2018 Suicide Surveillance Report

2017

• 2017 Infectious Disease Morbidity Report
• 2017-18 Influenza Report
• 2017 Pertussis Report
• 2017 Suicide Surveillance Report

• 2016 Infectious Disease Morbidity Report
• 2016-17 Influenza Report
• 2016 Pertussis Report

What is a reportable disease?

State law requires reporting of certain diseases and situations to the appropriate local health department. This helps ensure that public health officials can act appropriately to protect the health of the public.

• List of reportable diseases

What about confidentiality (including HIPAA)?

Reporting of communicable diseases to the appropriate health department, as required by law, is permitted under HIPAA and providers are not required to obtain patient consent before sending information to the health department. All reports to the health department are confidential.

Who should report a disease?

Anyone can report a disease to the health department, but most reports come from health care providers and laboratories, both of which are required to report certain diagnoses or lab results. Disease reports also come from schools, day cares, employers, and everyday citizens.

When should I report a disease?

Some diseases require immediate reporting (see reportable disease list [link to PDF]) and should be reported immediately to 385-468-8888, option #7. Diseases that are not immediately reportable should be reported within three working days of identification to 385-468-8888, option #6, faxed confidentially to 385-468-4234, or reported online.

What should my report say?

A disease report should include the patient's:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Date of symptom onset
• Date of lab test
• Treatment information
• Any other relevant disease-specific information