On November 18^th, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s sixth case of rabies for the year.

On November 18^th, the Alamance County Health Department was notified of an animal and human exposure to a skunk that occurred on November 15^th in the area of Fleming Graham Road in Burlington near the intersection of Deep Creek Church Road and McCray Road. The skunk was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing, and it was found to be positive.

The human exposure identified by the health department began immediate post-exposure treatment. The animal that was exposed, a dog, was not current on its vaccinations at the time and thus received updated vaccinations. The dog is currently under a 45-day quarantine.

It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Deep Creek Church Road and McCray Road be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

North Carolina law requires cats and dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months old; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again, every three years.

If any animal bites you:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and provide a description of the animal for animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animals.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

This year we recognize an incredible milestone for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, more commonly known as WIC. This is a milestone not only in Alamance County, but across the nation.  We are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the WIC program!  The WIC program opened its first clinic in 1974 and has since been a steady community partner supporting healthy outcomes for women, infants and children.

WIC has used data-driven strategies and research for the past 50 years to provide quality services to our communities.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to reevaluate the food package to ensure its nutritional integrity.  NASEM completed their second scientific review in 2017, improving the balance and choice of future food options, not only more accurately aligning with the dietary guidance, but also with cultural, religious, and individual food preferences of the participants.  Over the years, the supplemental food benefit package has evolved, providing a more robust package and increasing access to healthier options.  The most recent update is an increase in the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, which has now doubled from the original amount.

The WIC program provides supplemental nutrition (healthy foods), nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for women who are pregnant, have had a baby in the last six months, or are breastfeeding and have had a baby in the last 12 months, as well as infants and children up to five years of age. To be eligible for WIC, the child or mother must live in the state of North Carolina, live in a household with an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines, and have a nutrition-related problem or be at risk of developing a nutrition-related problem. Pregnant women, post-partum women, and children up to five years in age who receive Medicaid or Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP) meet the WIC income eligibility criteria.  Alamance County WIC currently serves more than 4,000 participants.

The Alamance County WIC office is located at 319 N. Graham-Hopedale Rd., Burlington, NC, 27217.  Please call 336-570-6745 with questions or to schedule an appointment.  Please leave your name and telephone number if you reach the voicemail.  The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, and walk-ins are welcome. The Alamance County WIC office is also open from 5pm-6pm on the first four Mondays of each month (except holidays) by appointment only.  You may visit the WIC website at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic to learn more about WIC.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

On October 4^th, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s fifth case of rabies for the year.

On October 3^rd, the Alamance County Health Department was notified of animal and human exposures to a cat that occurred on October 2^nd and October 3^rd in the area of West Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road in Snow Camp near the intersection of Pleasant Hill Church Road and Sylvan School Road. The cat was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing, and it was found to be positive.

The human exposures identified by the health department began immediate post-exposure treatment. There are many feral cats and kittens in the area, and the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office Animal Control has set traps in order to safely capture them. After the quarantine period has passed, all feral cats will be vaccinated and released.

It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Pleasant Hill Church Road and Sylvan School Road be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

North Carolina law requires cats and dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months old; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again, every three years.

If any animal bites you:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and provide a description of the animal for animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animals.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

On September 17th, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s fourth case of rabies for the year.

On September 16th, the Alamance County Health Department was notified of animal and human exposures to a cat that occurred on September 12th and September 14th in the area of Paris Street and McGee Street in Graham. The cat was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing, and it was found to be positive.

The human exposures identified by the health department were advised to begin immediate post-exposure treatment. It was determined that the exposed animal was current on its rabies vaccination but would receive a post-exposure rabies booster and be quarantined for 45 days.

 It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Paris Street and McGee Street in Graham be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

North Carolina law requires cats and dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months old; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again, every three years.

If any animal bites you:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and provide a description of the animal for animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animals.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

On May 10, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s second case of rabies for the year. 

On May 9, Alamance County Health Department was notified of a human exposure to a fox that occurred on May 8 in the Hanford Rd area of Graham. The Graham Police Department and Burlington Animal Services worked together to respond to the incident. The fox was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing where it was found to be positive.

The one known human exposure identified by the health department was advised to begin immediate post-exposure treatment. The individual was treated on the evening of May 8.

It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Hanford Rd in Graham be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about a possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than 4 months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again every three years.

If you are bitten by any animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animal

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

On May 3, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for the year.

On May 1, Alamance County Health Department was notified of a human and pet exposure to a fox that occurred on April 30 in the Juniper Drive area of Burlington. The fox was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing where it was found to be positive.

The human exposure identified by the health department was advised to begin immediate post-exposure treatment. One of the individual’s dogs was in an altercation with the fox and the other dog was in the vicinity but cannot be determined if it also had contact with the fox. Both dogs are up to date with rabies vaccinations. However, due to this exposure, both dogs will receive a rabies vaccine booster dose. Authorities will follow up for a 45-day quarantine for both dogs.

It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Juniper Drive in Burlington be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about a possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again, every three years.

If you are bitten by any animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animal
  For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

On November 13, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s fifth case of rabies for the year.

On November 9, Alamance County Health Department was notified of a human exposure to a raccoon that occurred on November 8 in the McKinney Street area of Burlington. The raccoon was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing where it was found to be positive.

The human exposure identified by the health department was advised to begin immediate post-exposure treatment. Burlington Animal Services was not aware of any animal exposures.   

It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of McKinney Street in Burlington be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about a possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.

It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than 4 months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again every three years.

If you are bitten by any animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animal

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

On November 1st, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control notified the Alamance County Health Department regarding a fox attack involving a child. The attack occurred in the vicinity of Gilliam Church Road in Elon on the evening of October 30th. The fox was sent to the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh and found positive for rabies.  

A family of five was exposed and sought out medical attention for post-exposure treatment. There is one stray cat in the area, and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office will set a trap for the stray animal.  

If you live in this area and are concerned about possible exposure to you or your animals, please contact the On-Call Communicable Disease Nurse at 336-516-7715.

It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again every three years. If your dog or cat needs an updated rabies vaccine, the health department will offer a rabies vaccination event on November 4th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will be held at the environmental health parking lot at 209 N. Graham-Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217. The cost is $5.00, cash or check only. Cats must be in a secured cat carrier to be vaccinated. 

If any animal bites you:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animals.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

Health officials urge residents to keep their pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations

The Alamance County Health Department will be hosting a drive-thru rabies vaccination clinic on November 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Environmental Health Office, located at 209 N. Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington.

The cost of the rabies shot at the clinic will be $5.00 per pet. Cash or check only. The vaccination clinic will be a drive-thru clinic with all owners staying in their cars. Dogs will be vaccinated in the cars and cats MUST be in carriers that health personnel may take them into the building to be vaccinated.

To date, there has been three confirmed cases of rabies in 2023 for Alamance County. In 2022, there was one confirmed rabies case in the county. For more information or questions about rabies control, vaccination requirements, or upcoming clinics, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.