One Health in Utah
One Health is a collaborative approach to promote the interconnected health of humans, animals, and our shared environment.
The One Health concept recognizes:
- Connection between the health of humans, animals, and our shared environment.
- Collaboration between many groups and disciplines to solve complex health challenges.
New World screwworm: New World screwworm (NWS) is a fly that lays eggs in wounds or mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. The larvae (maggots) that grow from these eggs feed on living tissue. Once eradicated from the United States, NWS has now made a comeback, and was detected in the United States in June 2026. While more common in livestock, it can also affect wildlife, pets, and people.
Learn more on our NWS webpage.
Anthrax detected in a dead cow: In February 2026, a dead cow near the Utah-Idaho border tested positive for anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). This was a naturally-occurring incident and is not related to a continuous health threat or bioterrorism. All potential exposed individuals received effective preventive care. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food issued guidance to local livestock owners in the area.
Anthrax is not spread from person to person.
If you suspect an animal has died of anthrax, do not move or open the carcass. Opening the body can release infectious spores into the soil and air. Immediately contact your local veterinarian or your state veterinarian’s office to report the animal and receive safe handling instructions.
For more information and official press releases, please visit the Bear River Health Department and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Collaborative response to zoonotic influenza: Since 2022, animal and human health partners in Utah have worked together to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in wildlife, domestic poultry, and dairy cattle. In addition to zoonotic concerns, these outbreaks highlighted the need to connect agricultural communities with health resources. In April 2025, partners finalized 2 agreements to facilitate rapid collaborative response to zoonotic influenza and other One Health concerns:
Raw milk outbreaks: State and local health officials routinely work together to investigate gastrointestinal illness outbreaks associated with raw milk and raw milk products. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food published a webpage for consumers and raw milk producers in 2025 that includes a list of inspected producers in Utah, information about routine testing of raw milk, and an outline of the outbreak investigation process.
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) surveillance: Every summer, the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) works with state and local partners to conduct routine surveillance for HABs in many water bodies across the state. Animal surveillance is an important component of raising awareness and preventing illness related to HABs in both people and animals. State health officials have partnered with the Utah Poison Control Center to investigate any human illnesses associated with HABs, and with DWQ, the National Park Service, and local veterinarians to create educational resources for animal owners and veterinarians.
Here are some infectious diseases that are reportable for both humans and animals in Utah:
- Anthrax
- Serious bacterial disease most commonly seen in animals, but can infect humans through exposure to infected animals or used as a bioterrorism weapon.
- Avian influenza or novel influenza
- Occurs when non-human (such as bird) influenza strains jump into humans in a way that can spread easily from person to person.
- Babesiosis
- Tick-borne parasitic disease ranging from no symptoms to severe infection in immunocompromised people.
- Brucellosis
- Bacterial illness from contact with animals, such as cattle or other farm animals, or consumption of raw dairy products.
- Chagas disease
- Parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of “kissing bugs” and can cause severe and acute and/or chronic symptoms.
- Dengue
- Mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause headaches, joint/muscle pain, and, in severe cases, shock and death.
- Hantavirus
- Rodent-borne viral disease spread through the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected rodents, and, if untreated, can affect the lungs and lead to death.
- Leptospirosis
- Bacterial illness spread through the urine of infected animals and can be mild or severe, leading to kidney or liver failure or meningitis.
- Lyme disease
- Tick-borne bacterial infection that may begin with a red rash near the bite site and include stiff neck and muscle/joint pain.
- Mycobacteriosis (non-TB)
- Bacterial disease found in soil, dust, and water. People with underlying lung diseases or compromised immune systems are at greater risk.
- Nipah virus
- Serious and often deadly viral disease spread by fruit bats that can also spread from person to person.
- Plague
- Bacterial disease spread by the bites of rodent fleas and infected animals to humans. Symptoms vary depending on how the patient was exposed.
- Psittacosis
- Bacterial disease found in bird droppings, which is then spread to humans. Birds may appear healthy, but can still make humans sick.
- Q fever
- Rare bacterial disease spread by airborne dust contaminated by infected animals or through raw, unpasteurized milk.
- Rabies
- Viral disease that spreads through the saliva of an animal, usually through a bite, and is fatal if left untreated.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Bacterial infection spread through tick bites that can be fatal if not treated in the first few days of symptoms.
- Salmonellosis
- Bacterial illness caused by eating food contaminated with feces. Most people recover with no treatment, but some require hospitalization.
- Trichinellosis
- Parasitic disease caused by eating raw or undercooked meat that typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms but can be fatal in severe cases.
- Tularemia
- Bacterial illness spread through deer fly or tick bites, contact with infected animals, contaminated water, or inhalation of contaminated dust or aerosols.
- West Nile virus
- Mosquito-borne viral disease that causes mild or no symptoms in most infected people, but can lead to severe neurological illness.
Environmental health concerns that affect humans and animals:
- Environmental contaminants:
- Lead
- Environmental contaminant that can be harmful to human and animal health and can be found in air, water, soil, and homes.
- Mercury
- Environmental contaminant that can damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus at high levels of exposure.
- Arsenic
- Environmental contaminant commonly found at worksites and hazardous waste sites that can be fatal at very high levels of exposure.
- Lead
- Harmful algal blooms in water bodies
- Toxins produced by harmful algal blooms can cause severe illness through accidental ingestion, inhalation, or direct contact.
- Water conservation in the context of drought
- Conservation of Utah’s limited water resources is increasingly important as the state’s population is expected to double by 2065.
- Air pollution
- Mixture of hazardous substances from natural and human-made sources that can be harmful to human and animal health.
- Coccidioides in humans and pets
- Fungal disease caused by inhaling spores found in dry regions that can cause severe illness and death if the infection progresses.
Visit our disease reporting page to see a list of all reportable diseases in Utah.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers One Health internships.
Current needs and opportunities:
- Flexible, unpaid practicum opportunities
Student travel funding resources:
Partners in the Utah One Health Network include:
- Professional associations/groups
- Healthcare systems
- Universities
- Local and state government departments
- Federal government
- Tribal governments
- And more
Want to join the Utah One Health Network? Register to be a member of the network or email [email protected]
Nancy Arbon played a key role in establishing the annual Utah One Health Symposium. Nancy earned a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Utah. She was an essential part of the Utah Public Health Laboratory as the customer relations manager, as well as in the Toxicology lab and, most recently, as the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network coordinator. Nancy was instrumental in establishing the Utah One Health Symposium (previously the Rabies Consortium) and is a One Health pioneer.
Nancy tragically passed away on October 2, 2024. She is greatly missed. Her friends on the planning committee of the Utah One Health Symposium established this scholarship to memorialize Nancy, honor her work as a One Health pioneer, and help make sure her legacy of compassion, service, dedication to students, and passion for One Health in Utah continues.
Eligibility and use
Students who are enrolled in a university or college in Utah who are pursuing studies related to One Health are eligible to apply.
Students may use funds from this scholarship to pay for:
- Registration to participate in the Utah One Health Symposium
- Tuition for students focused on One Health
- Expenses related to student travel for an externship related to One Health
Application
Fill out the application at this link.
Student selection
Student recipients of this scholarship will be decided by the Utah Public Health Association (UPHA) in consultation with the Utah One Health Symposium planning committee.
Fund management
Funds in this scholarship will be managed by the Utah Public Health Association in consultation with the Utah One Health Symposium planning committee.
Donation
This scholarship is funded by donations. People or organizations can donate through UPHA at this link.