Community News

 

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

 

RALEIGH, NC – May 3, 2024 – The latest update of the NC Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard was on May 3^rd. Last month, enrollment in NC increased by almost 31 thousand to more than 447 thousand people. Buncombe County enrollment increased by almost 800 to more than 11 thousand people. It is estimated that a total of 600 thousand North Carolinians will be eligible for ME, with almost 17 thousand from Buncombe County. In 5 months of accepting applications, the state is almost 75% of the way to enrolling all eligible persons and Buncombe County is 2/3^rds of the way there.

“From the day we launched Medicaid expansion, we’ve been committed to getting people covered and getting them care as fast as possible,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley in a press release. “We are doing that even faster than expected and ensuring North Carolinians receive the health information, support and care they need to help them stay healthy.”

On December 1^st, North Carolina officially became the 40^th state to expand Medicaid, the federal program for health insurance for low-resource individuals. ME increases health care access to eligible North Carolinians ages 19-64 and their families with earnings to 138 percent of the federal poverty level based on their household size, up from 100 percent. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) dashboard to track ME enrollment is at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/reports.

There are many ways to apply for NC Medicaid for eligible persons. Those who have not yet applied should visit Medicaid.nc.gov to see if they qualify. Applications can be taken by phone, email, fax, or in person. Buncombe County residents can apply for Medicaid online and at any time at ePASS.NC.gov. Applications can be done in-person at the HHS Building on 40 Coxe Avenue, by calling 828-250-5500, or by mail. A printable application can be obtained online at the NCDHHS website.

 

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 –  May 29, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on May 18^th shows:  

• About 1% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency room visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all ER 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 May 15^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 0-20%, the 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

 

UNITED STATES – May 16, 2024 –  Non-hormonal menopause medicines are new for the treatment of “hot flashes” and sleeplessness during menopause. However, they are expensive. Traditional medical treatment has included hormone replacement therapy (HRT) like estrogen and progesterone. However, some women can experience HRT-related medical problems like heart disease, blood clots, stroke, and hormone-sensitive cancers. Other drugs are recommended for the treatment of hot flashes but must be used off-label.

Menopause is when women stop having their monthly menstrual periods. The time leading up to menopause is called menopause transition or perimenopause. Menopausal transition usually occurs in women between ages 45 and 55 and lasts from 7 to 14 years, when there is a big drop in the production of estrogen and progesterone. Each woman can be affected differently.

Women in menopause can frequently suffer “hot flashes” and/or mood changes. Hot flashes include sensations of heat, sweating, flushing, and chills that lasts from 1-5 minutes. This occurs in more than 80% of women. Symptoms can recur for several years in most women. Hot flashes are directly related to the decreasing levels of estrogen. Mood changes can include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. Hot flashes and mood changes vary in frequency and intensity for each woman.

Last year, the FDA approved the nonhormonal oral medicine fezolinetant [fe-zo-li-ne-tant], brand name Veozah [ve-o-zah], manufactured by Astellas. The drug can reduce hot flashes in almost half of the people who take it. It may not be as effective as HRT, which is effective in more than 90% of patients. However, Veozah may appeal to women who can’t or won’t take HRT. Side-effects are not common and may include liver disease and abdominal pain. Its cost is $550 a month.

Kaiser Permanente HMO requires that woman try 2 off-label drugs for menopause symptoms before taking Veozah. These drugs are gabapentin, FDA-approved for pain, and Effexor, an FDA-approved antidepressant.

On May 16^th, the pharmaceutical company Bayer announced the result of their clinical trial for its new nonhormonal medicine elinzanetant [e-lin-za-ne-tant] The drug reduced the number and severity of hot flashes, enhanced sleep, and improved quality of life. The drug is awaiting FDA approval. Its cost is not known, but it is anticipated to be similar to Veozah.

KFF has some suggestions if your insurance company won’t cover the cost of the medicine:

• Look at the insurance company website to learn how to be eligible for coverage
• Your doctor can assist with coupons, drug discounts, and writing letters to the insurance company recommending drug coverage
• You can appeal insurance denials

 

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