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Epidemiology chief: Davis County has 17 measles cases; TB, West Nile and surveillance developments reviewed
Summary
Sarah Willardson, director of the communicable disease and epidemiology division, presented 2025–2026 data: 635 STI clinic appointments (≈10% positivity), a West Nile season with 7 cases and 3 deaths in 2025, three TB cases with extensive contact tracing, and Davis County measles counts of 15 confirmed plus 2 probable for 17 total; officials flagged wastewater measles detections and an interactive public dashboard in development.
Sarah Willardson, director of the Communicable Disease & Epidemiology division, presented the division’s annual report and an outbreak update that included STIs, TB, West Nile and measles.
She reported that the STI clinic conducted 635 appointments with an approximate 10% positivity rate among routine screenings and nearly 60% positivity among partner‑driven tests. "We conducted 635 clinic appointments ... in those that were being just screened across the board, we had a almost a 10 percent positivity rate," Sarah said, and described treatment capacity in the clinic.
Sarah also reviewed West Nile activity in 2025 (7 cases and 3 deaths reported to the board), three active TB cases in 2025 requiring contact tracing (one case had more than 60 worksite contacts), and respiratory surveillance that showed peaks for RSV, COVID and influenza but relatively lower hospitalization rates. She highlighted an interactive public dashboard under development that will let residents view disease trends and filter by condition.
On measles, Sarah said Utah had 638 cases and Davis County had 15 confirmed cases plus 2 probable (counted as 17). She noted two Davis County hospitalizations with lengthy stays but no deaths. Sarah emphasized vaccination effectiveness while also describing cultural and language barriers encountered during outreach and the role of school district communications to close the “loop” and prompt vaccination follow‑up by parents.
