Chickenpox
Chickenpox ( Varicella ) is a disease required to be reported to the health department. The Alleghany Health District had 11 cases reported. Nine or 82 percent of all reported cases were in children 9 years of age and younger. Cases were reported in vaccinated and unvaccinated children. These reported cases underestimate the incidence of varicella in the community because many cases go unreported.
Tickborne Illness
The district had three cases of tickborne illness reported. Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis were the two diseases reported in 2003.
Invasive Infections
Three cases of Haemophilus influenzae Invasive infection and two Group A Streptococcal disease were reported for 2003. The cases of H. influenzae were in adults over 65 years of age. The GAS cases were in adults over 45 years of age.
Meningococcal Infection
Three cases of meningococcal infection were reported for 2003.
Pertussis
Pertussis continues to exist in our community. Although three confirmed cases were reported this only represents a small portion of cases since many clinical cases do not get diagnosed and reported. Physicians should consider pertussis diagnosis in patients with a cough illness lasting longer than two weeks without other apparent cause.
Legionellosis
Three cases of legionellosis were reported for 2003.
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