Newsroom
August 13, 2015
Buncombe County Health and Human Services wants parents in Buncombe County to know that there are new immunization requirements for school aged children in North Carolina.
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August 6, 2015
The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) is currently investigating 18 cases of illness potentially due to use of heroin mixed with clenbuterol. Reported cases are from four counties (Durham, Lee, Orange, and Wake). The source of the clenbuterol-contaminated heroin is suspected to be in Durham County.
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June 3, 2015
We have recently seen an increase of varicella cases in schools. I just wanted to take the time to remind everyone that although the varicella vaccine is almost 100% effective at preventing severe cases of varicella, it is not 100% effective at preventing milder cases. Please keep Breakthrough Varicella on your list of possible diagnoses in a vaccinated child with a rash illness.
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May 14, 2015
Early syphilis infections in North Carolina continue to rise. Compared to the same time period in 2014, early syphilis cases in the first 3 months of 2015 increased by 56%.
Due to this substantial increase in early syphilis infections, we are asking all medical providers to enhance sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention services to your patients. New syphilis infections are primarily occurring among men, especially men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV-positive individuals. Enhancing STI prevention services to these patients may efficiently address the rise in early syphilis infections and improve the health of our fellow North Carolinians.
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April 27, 2015
On April 20, 2015, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas, voluntarily expanded its recall to include all of its products currently on the market because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
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April 27, 2015
Outbreak investigations or routine monitoring of food production and processing facilities may lead to identification and recall of a food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In these situations, persons at elevated risk for invasive listeriosis may seek medical care because of concern that they have been exposed to to L. monocytogenes.
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April 13, 2015
Buncombe County has an alarming number of children who are not getting immunized based on a religious exemption. This means that parents can refuse immunizations for their children based on a non-medical reason. Buncombe County’s exemption rate is almost 5 times higher than the state average and has been climbing steadily for many years.
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April 6, 2015
Please see the attached memos for important information about Vector-borne illnesses from NC DHHS. April has been designated “Tick and Mosquito Awareness Month”.
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March 23, 2015
Since December 2014, clusters of ocular syphilis cases have been reported in King County, Washington and several Counties in California. Several of these cases have resulted in severe illness including permanent decline in visual acuity and blindness.
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March 19, 2015
Construction at 40 Coxe Ave and Move of Health Services
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March 19, 2015
Buncombe County will begin construction of an addition to the 40 Coxe Avenue location on April 1. During construction, some Health Department Services will be moving to a temporary location at 53 S. French Broad Avenue.
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March 13, 2015
From the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health
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March 13, 2015
Health alert from the Buncombe County Department of Health
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January 5, 2015
Influenza activity has increased over the last month and is widespread in NC and locally. As of December 27, 2014, the total # of flu-associated deaths reported in NC so far this season is 17.
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November 26, 2014
It became apparent that the volume of children who may have been recently exposed to someone sick with pertussis was very large and that it likely would be very difficult for our staff to contact all of the involved families by phone prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
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