Community News

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – July 3, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, influenza and RSV, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August. Therefore, the weekly update will continue to report on COVID-19 and restart influenza and RSV updates in the fall.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 22^nd shows:  

• Fewer than 10 deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits. However, there was a moderate increase of almost 20%.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 19^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 40-60%, the 3^rd level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has increased from the previous week to between 1% to 9%, the lowest level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change. However, many of the surrounding counties including Swain, Jackson, and Henderson, have increased from the previous week to between 100% or greater, the highest level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – June 13, 2023 – After 2 plus years of waiting, the arrival of the new and enlarged Buncombe County Mobile Public Health van began with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Carrier Park on June 13^th. Speakers included Public Health Director Ellis Matheson and Sue Hanlon, the Public Health Nurse Supervisor of the Mobile Team. Dr. Matheson spoke about the amazing growth of the Department in Buncombe County spurred on by the COVID pandemic; Nurse Hanlon highlighted the current services offered and the expansion of services with the addition of the van. Both vans will serve the County although the new van has the capacity to see people indoors, up to 2 at a time. This will facilitate a nicer patient experience during inclement weather conditions of precipitation and extreme heat and cold temperatures.

The creation of the Mobile Vaccination Team in 2022 was one of the highlights of Buncombe County Health and Human Services and the Public Health Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has quickly become one of the most important new public health interventions to reach underserved rural communities and populations. In the past 2 years, the Mobile Team has administered 4200 vaccinations.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been additional federal funding for public health in Buncombe County. The Department used some of these funds to purchase the customized mobile van and hire a team of nurses and emergency medical technicians. (A standard-sized van was used while the new RV-sized van was on back order for more than two years.) The Team started with mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics and soon expanded to mpox vaccination clinics in the fall 2022 during the mpox epidemic. The Mobile Team even partnered with our station AshevilleFM and the Getaway River Bar to offer vaccinations for mpox and COVID-19 on September 14, 2022.

The BC Public Health Outreach Team is headed by the Director of Nursing Amparo Oviero Acosta. It is still currently funded with COVID appropriations, although additional funding may be needed for its sustainability and expansion.

The Mobile Vaccination Team has evolved into a Mobile Outreach Team. According to Its website, the Team’s mission is “To partner with our community to increase equitable access to public health services, focusing on historically underserved by the healthcare system, low-income areas and rural communities.” Its values are to build access, community trust, and improve health outcomes.

The Mobile Team’s current services include:

• Vaccinations for COVID, hepatitis A/B, flu, shingles, whooping cough and tetanus
• Vaccine record review
• HIV and Hep C testing
• Harm reduction resources, education and opioid overdose reversal with medicine
• Community resource navigation
• Health education

Its expanded services will include:

• Sexual transmitted infection testing
• Treatment for syphilis, a current epidemic in many communities
• Reproductive health, to include family planning and birth control

Its future services will include:

• Pregnancy testing
• Applications for Medicaid, food services, and social work

The BC Mobile Team works in collaboration with Buncombe County groups that serve those who are historically underserved by the healthcare system, low-income areas and rural communities. If your group has an event that serves those populations, you can request the Mobile Team at an event by going to buncombecounty.org/mobileteam, click on the HHS Mobile Team Services Form, and complete the request. For any questions you can contact Lacey Smith at 828-250-5716.

The Mobile Team will be busy over the next few months with a schedule of 3-4 events a week. Here are some of its future events: June 26, 10 am @ Salvation Army Food Pantry at 750 Haywood Rd, AVL; July 1, 1 pm @ MANNA/CIMA Food Distribution at 17 Westside Dr, AVL; and at Bounty & Soul Latino Market @ 216 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC –  June 26, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, influenza and RSV, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August. Therefore, the weekly update will continue to report on COVID-19 and restart influenza and RSV updates in the fall.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 15^th shows:  

• 1-9 of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 12^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 20-40%, the 2^nd lowest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has decreased from the previous week to between -99% to -10%, the lowest level of 2 groups with a negative rate of change.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC –  June 19, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, influenza and RSV, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August. Therefore, the weekly update will continue to report on COVID-19 and restart influenza and RSV updates in the fall.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 8^th shows:  

• 1-9 of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on June 5^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 20-40%, the 2^nd lowest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has increased from the previous week to between 1% to 9%, the lowest level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

BUNCOMBE COUNTY – May 29, 2024 –  According to a May 29^th press release, the Buncombe County Department of Public Health confirmed an outbreak of 5 cases of whooping cough since late April. All the cases have been in children. A whooping cough outbreak is defined as 3 related cases that are not in the same household.

The Henderson County Department of Public Health had reported their first case of whooping cough this year on April 3^rd. By early May, there had been 74 cases of whooping cough in Henderson County. Most of the cases are in school-aged children. This is the largest Henderson County outbreak for whooping cough in 7 years when there was a total of 95 cases.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious problems, especially in babies. It is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The infection affects the airways and the lungs. The bacteria can spread by being close to an infected person who sneezes or coughs. Whooping cough peaks in summer and fall.

After exposure to the pertussis bacteria, it may take 5 to 10 days to begin showing common cold-like symptoms, with a runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough (except in babies). 1-2 weeks after the symptoms begin, infected persons may develop violent coughing fits that usually last 1-6 weeks. The illness is commonly called whooping cough because of the high-pitched “whoop” sound at the end of the coughing fit, when a person breathes in. Once the coughing fit lessens, recovery may take 2-3 weeks.

The highest at-risk group are unvaccinated babies under a year old. Almost one-half of this group is hospitalized. Babies and young children may have difficulty breathing and can turn blue from lack of oxygen. Complications include pneumonia, breathing difficulties, brain infection, and convulsions. Most deaths from whooping cough are in infants too young to be fully vaccinated.

Other high-risk groups include: adults with pulmonary problems like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. The intense coughing spells can result in loss of bladder control, vomiting, headaches, light-headedness, weight loss, and rib fractures from intense coughing.

Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to keep the disease from spreading. You should see your health care provider even if you have been exposed to someone with the illness. Like other respiratory diseases, you can help reduce the spread by staying home when sick, washing your hands frequently, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.

Antibiotics should be started immediately once the diagnosis is made or exposure is confirmed. Starting antibiotics after 3 weeks of symptoms will not be effective, because the bacteria are no longer active in the body.

The best way to protect against whooping cough is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends vaccination for all at-risk groups starting at 2 months old. Booster shots are encouraged for teens and adults every 8-10 years to boost immunity. People can still get sick if they are vaccinated, but usually not as severe as unvaccinated individuals. You can contact your health care provider to obtain a vaccination or go to the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville. To schedule an appointment, call 828-250-5096.

The Buncombe County Public Health Department is trying to contain the outbreak by identifying those people who have been exposed to the illness and by providing guidance. Public Health Director Ellis Matheson said in the release, “With the community spread of whooping cough in the region and multiple confirmed cases now in Buncombe County, we urge individuals and families to protect themselves and others. Vaccination remains the best defense and can also reduce the severity of the illness.”

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

WASHINGTON, DC – May 3, 2024 –  A recent article published May 3^rd in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, estimated premature deaths, cases of asthma in children, and whether there were any demographic disparities due to the use of gas stoves indoors. The authors calculated that exposure can contribute to almost 19 thousand premature deaths annually in the U.S. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide is associated with 200 thousand children with asthma. People living in small residences are more likely to be affected by the indoor air pollution of indoor gas stoves because the concentrations are higher. Disparities exist because lower resources people and minority racial/ethnic groups are more likely to live in smaller dwellings.

Gas stoves burn natural gas, which is comprised predominantly of methane, a greenhouse gas. The combustion products are nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and fine particulate matter. They have been linked to respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer and other medical problems.

Almost 13% of U.S. childhood asthma cases are associated with having a gas stove in the home according to a peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2022. This illness is more frequent in children of color and those living in low resource neighborhoods. Childhood asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed school days.

Improving indoor air quality can reduce the incidence of childhood asthma. New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle have banned all gas stoves and appliances from new residential construction. However, gas stoves are still used in about 35% of American homes. Rob Jackson, a Stanford University gas stove researcher said, “No child should have asthma from breathing pollution from gas stoves when safer electric options are available.”

You can still use gas stoves if you reduce indoor air pollution or keep children and vulnerable older adults out of the vicinity. A gas stove needs to operate with an adequate ventilation system that removes the pollution before it is inhaled. Indoor emission concentrations can rise to unsafe levels if the ventilation system is inadequate or not operating when the stove is on. Indoor air pollution can also be reduced by opening windows while cooking. Warning labels are needed to protect people’s health by reducing the number of indoor gas stoves purchased.  The labels have been effective with cigarettes and other tobacco products.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour