BURLINGTON – Flu season is upon us and the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) wants you to protect yourself and your families. Beginning Monday, September 22, the health department will begin offering seasonal flu shots to the public.
This year, the health department will be providing the following vaccine options to the public (while supplies last):
Quadrivalent flu vaccine injection which covers four strains of influenza
Flu mist which is the nasal spray live vaccine and only for ages 2-49 years
Flublok flu vaccine injection which is recommended for people with egg allergies that are ages 18-49 years
High Dose Trivalent vaccine which covers three strains and is recommended for people over 65 years
One shot is all most people will need. Children under age 9, who have not previously been vaccinated against the flu, may need two doses.
The cost of the seasonal Flu Mist and Quadrivalent vaccine is $25.00. The cost of the Flublok and High Dose Trivalent is $35.00. Uninsured children less than 19 years old are eligible for free vaccine. Insured children less than 19 years old whose insurance does not cover the cost of a flu shot may be eligible for free flu vaccine.
The health department can bill Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurances. Shots will be given
by appointment, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), at the following times:
8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Stay healthy this season by getting the flu shot. Don’t forget to wash your hands often, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick to help stop the spread of illness. For an appointment or more information, call the health department at 336-227-0101.
BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s fifth rabies case for the year.
On September 1, five dogs fought with a raccoon on Pleasant Hill Church Road in southern Alamance County near the Chatham County line. The raccoon was tested and found to be positive for rabies. All five dogs involved were up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. The dogs were given rabies booster vaccinations on September 3 and will need no further intervention.
This is the second positive rabies case in this area of the county in the past few weeks. On August 15, another raccoon tested positive for rabies. Three of the dogs involved in the September 1 case were also involved in the August 15 case.
“These pet owners have kept their dogs up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and, because of that, their dogs are running and playing freely today,” stated Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll. “It’s important for all pet owners to maintain current rabies vaccinations on pets. It is the law in North Carolina.”
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 animal.
In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide. For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.
The Board of Health is pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Health Director to Stacie Saunders, MPH, and she has accepted. Her effective start date is Monday, August 25, 2014. This announcement completes a six month search process which reviewed applications from 76 individuals. The search committee interviewed seven highly qualified candidates and selected two finalists, who were interviewed by the full board at their meeting on August 19, 2014.
“The Board of Health took this responsibility seriously and spent many hours reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. We are very pleased to announce a new Health Director with this caliber of leadership, commitment and passion for excellence,” states Board of Health chair Kent Tapscott.
Stacie Saunders has led the Alamance County Health Department as interim Health Director since March 2014, after the retirement of previous Health Director Barry Bass. Ms. Saunders previously served as a Health Educator and as Health Education Supervisor at the Alamance County Health Department.
Ms. Saunders is a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and holds a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She has had published commentary featured in the NC Medical Journal and is a recent graduate of the UNC School of Government LGFCU FELLOWS program.
“I’m honored and humbled to be offered this opportunity in the community that I love and where my family has made our home. I will work with our Health Department leaders, from the front-line staff to managers, to develop a unified vision for a healthy future for Alamance County, and work with all our partners to achieve it,” states Ms. Saunders.
Ms. Saunders serves on the Project LAUNCH Wellness Committee, Children’s Executive Oversight Committee, Alamance Partnership for Children Board and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Ms. Saunders resides in Mebane with her husband, Chris, and two children.
BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s fourth rabies case for the year.
On August 15, three dogs fought with a raccoon on Pleasant Hill Church Road in southern Alamance County near the Chatham County line. The raccoon was tested and found to be positive for rabies. All three dogs involved were up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. The dogs were given booster rabies vaccinations on Friday and will need no further intervention.
Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll stated, “Because the owners of these three dogs kept their vaccinations up-to-date, the pets continue to enjoy life as part of that family. We urge all pet owners to stay current on vaccinations. It is North Carolina law.”
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 animal.
To date for 2014, there have been 218 confirmed rabies cases in North Carolina. In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide.
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.
BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s third rabies case for the year.
On August 2, a raccoon attacked two dogs on Tangle Ridge Trail in Alamance County. The owner shot the raccoon then contacted Alamance County Animal Control to pick up the raccoon. The raccoon was then sent to the State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing. On August 5, the State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the raccoon to have rabies. The two dogs were not up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and were surrendered, then euthanized.
“It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies,” reminds Environmental Health Director, Carl Carroll. “Rabies vaccination protects not only your pet, but also helps to protect you and your family. We urge everyone that owns a dog or cat to check to see if their pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date and if not, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian today”.
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 animal.
In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in Alamance County and a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide.
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.
BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s second rabies case for the year.
On July 20, a fox attacked a man on Moran Street in Burlington. The individual contacted Burlington Animal Control to pick up the fox and the fox was sent to the State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing. On July 22, the State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the fox to have rabies. Burlington Animal Control received a report of a small fox in the area a few days prior and had been monitoring the area. Residents in this area with outside pets should examine pets for any wounds that may have come from contact with this fox and notify animal control or the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if they have questions or concerns.
“It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies,” reminds Environmental Health Director, Carl Carroll. “Rabies vaccination protects not only your pet, but also helps to protect you and your family.” Burlington Adoption Center is holding a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Vaccinations will be $5.00 per pet and the center asks that cats be in carriers and dogs be on leashes.
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 animal
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.
Burlington, N.C. – North Carolina’s second case of chikungunya was confirmed Tuesday, June 24 in an Alamance County resident who recently traveled to the Caribbean. At the time the individual returned to NC, they were symptomatic but no longer had the virus in their blood and could not spread virus to mosquitos in the community. The NC Division of Public Health and Alamance County Health Department have determined that there is no known risk of transmission of the virus to the local mosquito population. At this time, all cases of chikungunya in NC have been travel-associated and no cases have been locally-transmitted.
Chikungunya is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is not spread from human to human. The Asian Tiger mosquito that is commonly found in North Carolina could effectively transmit this virus. Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms typically include the sudden onset of fever and severe, often disabling, joint pains in the hands and feet. Many patients feel better within a week; however, the joint pain may persist for months in some people. Newborns exposed during delivery, adults over 65 and people with chronic medical conditions have a greater risk for a severe form of the disease.
“After reviewing this case, we do not feel any one in Alamance County is at risk because the time period in which mosquitos could have been infected was over,” states Interim Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Right now, we want those traveling to the Caribbean or other affected areas to be aware of the virus and to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”
NC DHHS’ Division of Public Health advises persons traveling to countries where chikungunya transmission is occurring to take personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites and immediately consult a medical provider if they develop a fever in the two weeks after their return home.
To protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites:
Wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeve shirts.
Reduce time spent outdoors, particularly during early morning and early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Apply EPA-approved mosquito repellents such as DEET, picardin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to exposed skin areas.
Always follow guidelines when using mosquito repellent.
Since mosquitos may bite through thin clothing, spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection.
DHHS’ Division of Public Health strongly recommends that all North Carolina residents take measures to decrease environmental conditions favorable to breeding for the species that could transmit this infection, the Asian Tiger mosquito. This mosquito is an aggressive daytime biter, breeds in small water containers and does not travel long distances. To reduce mosquito breeding areas around your home, Alamance County Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll suggests removing any containers that can hold water, change water in bird baths and pet bowls frequently, cover rain barrels with lids, check that gutters are clean and in good shape, and check screened windows and doors for tears.
To learn more about chikungunya virus, please see attached Frequently Asked Questions on Chikungunya from NC DHHS or visit: http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/. To view map and list of countries where chikungunya has been reported, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/ChikungunyaMap.pdf
BURLINGTON –Alamance County Health Department Health Educator Kelley Kimrey was named the 2014 Asthma Champion on May 7 by the Asthma Alliance of North Carolina.
Kimrey has worked tirelessly to implement numerous asthma initiatives in area schools and the community including:
– Air Quality Awareness Flag Program
– Expanding the Love My Lungs campaign
– Observation of World Asthma Day
– Dissemination of the Asthma Resource Guide to school nurses, community members, and the Alamance Regional Medical Center education department
– Collaboration with area pharmacies to implement the Nebulizer Loan program to assist families in need
– Partnered with the Environmental Health section of the local health department to offer the Healthy Homes Program
– Leads local Safe Kids Coalition
The Asthma Champion Award was created in 2007 to recognize the outstanding efforts of those dedicated to improving the lives of people with asthma in North Carolina.
BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for 2014.
On May 7th, an individual in Burlington woke up to a bat flying in their bedroom. The individual promptly vacated and closed the room then called Burlington Animal Control for assistance. The bat was removed by an Animal Control Officer and was the sent to the state lab for testing. The individual involved is seeking medical consultation as a result of the incident.
“This individual did exactly what they should have done. If you find a bat in your home, isolate it to one room, leave the room and close the doors,” states Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll. “Call animal control immediately to capture the bat for testing.”
In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases in the county. Of those eight cases, two were bats. There were a total of 380 confirmed rabies cases statewide in 2013 and of those 28 were bats.
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 animal
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccination requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.
Rabies Vaccination Clinic for Dogs and Cats Planned for April 26
Health officials urge residents to keep their pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Health Department will be hosting a rabies vaccination clinic on April 26 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 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. Pet owners attending the vaccination clinic are reminded to keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers.
“Vaccinating your pet is the best way to protect them from rabies,” states Environmental Health Director Carl Carroll. “The law requires pet owners to stay up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and this clinic is one way to comply with the law at low-cost.”
Area veterinary offices will also be providing low-cost rabies vaccines for one week beginning May 5-May10. Participating veterinary offices include:
– Mebane Veterinary Hospital (919) 563-5006
– Graham Animal Hospital (336) 228-1600
– Tri-County Veterinary Service (336) 376-6838
Alamance Animal Emergency Hospital, available at (336) 228-7226, will provide rabies vaccinations May 5-9 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and again on May 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. only. Please call the veterinary office for clinic hours and to schedule an appointment for the participating clinics. Rabies vaccines at the participating offices above will cost $5.00 per animal.
To date, there have been no confirmed cases of rabies in 2014 for Alamance County. In 2013, there were eight confirmed rabies cases 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.