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Health department reports limited measles cases, rising suicide trend and prevention priorities
Summary
The county health department presented its annual report, citing a small measles cluster limited to three cases, a long-term drop in mosquito traps, rising suicide rates among youth, and program work on WIC and mental-health partnerships.
Utah County’s health department gave commissioners its annual report, saying the county remains strong on many health measures but faces continuing challenges including air quality and rising suicide rates.
The department lead (identified in the agenda as Mr. Clegg) told commissioners an early‑year measles incident was quickly contained: "we were able to limit that outbreak to 3 cases," he said, noting epidemiologists traced the cluster back to Disneyland and used quarantine and follow-up to prevent wider spread.
The report highlighted several metrics and program results: mosquito trapping numbers were down about 91% since 2011, the senior volunteer program’s estimated economic value was described as nearly $2 million in volunteer time, and WIC spending of roughly $9 million was described as producing an estimated $45 million economic impact countywide. The department also flagged suicide trends: "Since 2007, suicides have tripled in the state of Utah," the presenter said, and noted suicide is now a leading cause of death among children ages 10–17.
Commissioners and the department discussed partnerships, prevention and mapping of suicide incidents for targeted outreach; the department said it will continue work with schools, mental‑health agencies and community partners and noted new contracts with organizations such as NAMI Utah to expand outreach.
The department summarized other program work including household hazardous-waste collection and prescription drug take‑backs (more than 600 pounds collected), air‑quality flagging with schools recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and surveillance of more than 79 reportable diseases that the county tracks and investigates.
Commissioners thanked the department and asked for additional data mapping and follow-up on suicide-prevention coordination with district school social workers and other partners.
