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Wasatch County Health Department presents 2024 annual report to Daniel council; highlights seniors market and infectious disease surveillance
Summary
Jonelle Fitzgerald, Wasatch County Health Department director, delivered the department's 2024 report, citing emergency preparedness, a seniors farmers market funded by a state grant, WIC virtual appointments, and 234 confirmed reportable infectious-disease cases in 2024.
Jonelle Fitzgerald, health director for the Wasatch County Health Department, presented the department's 2024 annual report at the Daniel Town Council meeting on May 5. Fitzgerald summarized department divisions (emergency preparedness, environmental health, epidemiology, health promotion, clinical services including immunizations, and WIC) and recent highlights.
Key programs and statistics: Fitzgerald described a seniors farmers market started with a state grant that provides low-income seniors with weekly voucher booklets redeemable for fresh produce; she said the program will continue this year. She noted the department has expanded virtual WIC appointments and continued school- and community-based prevention programs. Regarding infectious disease surveillance, the department received over 400 reports in 2024, of which 234 were confirmed cases of reportable diseases; staff conduct case investigation and coordinate treatment to limit spread.
Emergency preparedness and collaboration: Fitzgerald described the department's work with county emergency management and the role of the health department in earthquake response (water and septic system checks) and noted the department's medical advisor is Dr. Christiansen of Intermountain. She invited municipalities to coordinate on the renewed county emergency management plan.
Questions from council: Council members asked about environmental health spending (permitting, septic inspections, food-service inspections, body-art permitting, liquid waste hauler permitting, and mass-gathering oversight). Fitzgerald explained fee income supports those services and encouraged towns to refer residents to department programs and contact the department with suggestions.
