Community News

 

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – October 29, 2024 – After a major flood, the risk of becoming ill with gastroenteritis – an ailment of the stomach and intestines – is higher. Gastroenteritis is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache and muscle aches. The illness can occur from eating spoiled and contaminated food. Hurricane Helene was instrumental in knocking out power lines and damaging the public water supply including the transport system of pipes and its water reservoir. Food spoilage is due to inadequate refrigeration and contamination is from inappropriate hand hygiene, food handling, and cleaning and preparing food.

The city of Asheville has been on a boil water notice because of the damage to the public water supply. Although running water has been restored to 99% of its customers, it is not safe for drinking, washing hands before preparing food, and washing dishes in a dishwasher that doesn’t heat its water to at least 170 degrees. There is no evidence of any contamination of the water with the commonly tested bacteria associated with disease, but there is an abnormally high level of particles in the water that cause it to appear cloudy. Additional chlorine has been added to reduce the amount of potential disease-causing organisms. Water customers who obtain their public water from the city of Asheville will probably have to wait more than a month before having drinkable running water again.

On October 29, Dr Jennifer Mullendore, the Buncombe County Medical Director, spoke at a public briefing and issued a press release about the abrupt rise in the number of people coming down with gastroenteritis here since Hurricane Helene.

To reduce illness and protect health, Dr. Mullendore recommends:

• Use clean water like bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. Water must be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Avoid well water until disinfected and tested.
• Clean your hands before eating or preparing food, after bathroom use, and after contact with animals. Wash hands with soap and clean water or use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean food prep areas with soap and clean water or use a bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per gallon of water).
• Keep food safe to eat by discarding unrefrigerated meat and dairy products, cooking food thoroughly and eating it while hot, and avoiding raw foods unless you’ve peeled them yourself.

 

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 – November 6, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 26^th shows:  

• 1% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups and decreased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits and a moderate decrease since last week.

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 October 23^rd was not reported.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.

A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

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 – October 22, 2024 – The air we breathe indoors can become polluted following Hurricane Helene. In a Buncombe County alert on October 22^nd, Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore has outlined some very important guidelines to follow as we cleanup after the storm. Many of us lost power for extended periods of time. Burning many fuels indoors or even nearby can pollute the indoor air with deadly carbon monoxide. The air we breathe indoors can also become polluted by mold growth in flood-damaged homes.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause severe illness, passing out and even death. Using portable generators, gas stoves, gas grills, and charcoal grills indoors can pollute indoor air with products of combustion including carbon monoxide. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, vomiting and confusion. Breathing a lot of the gas can make you pass out or die. People who breathe in excessive amounts of carbon monoxide while sleeping can die without demonstrating any symptoms beforehand.

All flood-damaged buildings and contents need to be cleaned up before people can enter them. They must be dry. Dirt and trash need to be removed. Any moldy items (like rugs) must be cleaned, dried, and disinfected or they must be removed. Remove wet drywall and insulation. Wear adequate protective gear against mold during cleanup like goggles, water impermeable gloves and an N95 face mask. Symptoms of mold-related illness can include sinus congestion, itchy eyes, breathing problems, sore throat and headache.

 

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 – October 22, 2024 – As we clean-up from the destruction from Hurricane Helene, please remember that cuts and abrasions can become infected. In a Buncombe County alert on October 22^nd, Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore has outlined some very important guidelines to keep us healthy. People are more susceptible to skin wounds following accidents from the storm and during cleanup activities. Almost every resident of the city of Asheville finally has running water, although it may be contaminated. This water is different from what we are used to because it is not safe for drinking and cleaning skin wounds.

Tetanus is a rare but serious infection that is caused by a toxin produced by a bacteria found in soil, dust and feces. Contaminated wounds and cuts may develop an infection. Symptoms of tetanus can occur between 3 to 21 days after exposure. The first sign of illness is spasms of the jaw muscles. Other symptoms may include painful muscle stiffness, involuntary muscle spasms and seizures. Ten per cent of persons infected with tetanus die. The best ways to prevent tetanus infection is with vaccination and keeping all wounds clean and protected from contamination.

Good wound care includes cleaning the area with clean water and soap. Asheville water is not for cleaning wounds unless it is boiled vigorously for one minute. Bottled water is good for cleaning wounds too. All dirt and foreign material must be removed from wounds. Cover the area with a clean bandage to prevent contamination. See a medical provider if it becomes red, swollen and with thick drainage.

 

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