Rutherford County Health Department

11/19/2025

📢 PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE: Increase in Norovirus Cases in Rutherford County, NC

We are seeing an uptick in Norovirus (“stomach bug”) cases here in Rutherford County. Norovirus is very contagious and spreads easily through close contact, contaminated food/water, or touching contaminated surfaces.

🦠 Common Symptoms (usually begin 12–48 hours after exposure):
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Headache & body aches
• Low-grade fever
• Dehydration

⛔ If you’re feeling sick:
• Stay home—do NOT go to work, school, or childcare.
• Stay home at least 48 hours after symptoms end, as you can still spread the virus.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms last more than 3 days or if you’re at higher risk for severe illness.

🧼 Prevent the Spread:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water—hand sanitizer does NOT work well against Norovirus.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces with a bleach-based solution (1,000–5,000 ppm).
• Do not prepare food for others while sick or for 48 hours after recovering.

Keeping our community healthy starts with staying home when sick and practicing good hand hygiene. Thank you for helping protect our neighbors, workplaces, and schools.

Learn more:

Learn how to prevent catching and spreading norovirus.

11/13/2025

🌟 We’re here today at Basics Food Pantry! 🌟
Foothills Health District is offering FREE flu shots with help from the amazing Isothermal Community College Nursing students! 💉

We’re joined by our community partners:

🚑 Rutherford County EMS Community Paramedic

🧥 United Way, distributing warm clothing for cold weather

🎁 Trinity Christian School, sharing thoughtful care packages

Together, we’re here to support and strengthen our community. 💚 Stop by, say hello, and take advantage of these free resources while supplies last!

11/11/2025

🚨 IMPORTANT INFANT FORMULA RECALL 🚨

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has expanded a recall of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula due to a possible link with infant botulism.

👉 All lots of this ByHeart formula are being recalled nationwide.
👉 A suspected case is under investigation here in North Carolina.
👉 The formula makes up about 1% of U.S. formula sales, so no shortage is expected.

Parents and caregivers — please check your formula right away!

If you have ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula:

1️⃣ Stop using it immediately.
2️⃣ Return it to the store or dispose of it safely.
3️⃣ Wash any bottles, scoops, or surfaces that touched the formula.

⚠️ Watch for symptoms of infant botulism, which may appear days or weeks later:

Weak sucking or poor feeding

Trouble swallowing

Decreased facial expression

Loss of head control

Breathing difficulties

If your baby shows any of these signs, seek medical care right away.

🍼 Learn more and see the full NCDHHS release here:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2025/11/11/update-recall-expanded-infant-formula-recall-linked-infant-botulism

Foothills Health District is committed to keeping local families safe and informed. Please share this post to help spread the word! 💙

JOINT PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are alerting providers, parents and caregivers of an outbreak of infant botulism that prompted a nationwide recall of all ByHeart Inc. Whole Nutrition...

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we proudly honor the men and women who have served our country — our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. Your courage and commitment remind us what it means to serve something greater than ourselves.

In observance of Veterans Day, the Foothills Health District will be closed Tuesday, November 11th, and will reopen on Wednesday, November 12th.

From all of us at the Foothills Health District, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

11/10/2025

Latest update from South Carolina of Public Health on the Upstate Measles Outbreak.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the current measles outbreak centered around Spartanburg County, DPH has identified that an individual infectious with measles was at the Kanpai of Tokyo restaurant at 2300 Wi******er Place in Spartanburg on Nov. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m.

DPH is asking anyone who was at that location during that specific day and times to contact your health care provider if you believe you may have been exposed, particularly if you do not have immunity to measles or if you develop symptoms.

Read more: https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-measles-investigation-identifies-public-exposure-spartanburg-restaurant

The MMR vaccine is the most effective way of protecting oneself against measles. Anyone who is not up to date on MMR vaccination or does not have immunity from prior infection, is encouraged to receive a dose of MMR vaccine, unless there is a medical reason why you cannot receive it. Learn more at dph.sc.gov/measles

11/10/2025

Cold weather clothing give away and free flu shot clinic happening now until 6:30 pm at Tanners Grove Church! Please share!

11/10/2025

🩺 Public Health Update – November 2025

Measles Update (Upstate South Carolina)

The South Carolina Department of Public Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has reported 38 confirmed cases of measles in the Upstate region. While there are no cases currently reported in North Carolina, Foothills Health District continues to monitor regional updates closely.

✅ Measles is highly contagious, but preventable through vaccination.
💉 The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) provides safe, effective protection.
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, please contact your healthcare provider or the Foothills Health District for guidance.

For more information on the South Carolina outbreak, visit:
🔗 https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Update

Following the avian flu detection earlier this fall, we’re pleased to report that no new cases have been identified, and the risk to residents remains low.

Our team continues to monitor all potentially exposed flocks and individuals, and we are working closely with state partners to ensure the safety of both the public and local poultry operations.

🐔 Residents are reminded to continue practicing good hygiene and biosecurity when handling backyard poultry and to report any unusual bird illness or deaths to the NC Department of Agriculture.

🩵 Foothills Health District remains committed to protecting our community’s health through continued surveillance, education, and prevention efforts.



🩺 Actualización de Salud Pública – Noviembre de 2025

Actualización sobre el Sarampión (Región del Upstate, Carolina del Sur)

El Departamento de Salud y Control Ambiental de Carolina del Sur (DHEC) ha informado varios casos confirmados de sarampión en la región del Upstate. Aunque actualmente no se han reportado casos en Carolina del Norte, el Distrito de Salud de las Montañas (Foothills Health District) continúa monitoreando de cerca las actualizaciones regionales.

✅ El sarampión es altamente contagioso, pero se puede prevenir mediante la vacunación.
💉 La vacuna MMR (sarampión, paperas y rubéola) ofrece una protección segura y eficaz.
Si no está seguro de su estado de vacunación, comuníquese con su proveedor de atención médica o con el Distrito de Salud de las Montañas para recibir orientación.

Para más información sobre el brote en Carolina del Sur, visite:
🔗https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak

Actualización sobre la Gripe Aviar (Influenza Aviar)

Después de la detección de casos de gripe aviar a principios de otoño, nos complace informar que no se han identificado nuevos casos y que el riesgo para los residentes sigue siendo bajo.

Nuestro equipo continúa monitoreando las parvadas y las personas potencialmente expuestas, y seguimos colaborando estrechamente con las agencias estatales para garantizar la seguridad del público y de las operaciones avícolas locales.

🐔 Se recuerda a los residentes mantener buenas prácticas de higiene y bioseguridad al manejar aves de traspatio, y reportar cualquier enfermedad o muerte inusual de aves al Departamento de Agricultura de Carolina del Norte.

🩵 El Distrito de Salud de las Montañas sigue comprometido con proteger la salud de nuestra comunidad mediante la vigilancia continua, la educación y los esfuerzos de prevención.

11/07/2025

🥫 A Huge Thank You to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy’s 7th Grade Students!

We’re sending a big thank you to the 7th grade students at TJCA for collecting and donating food to our Foothills Health District Holiday Food Drive! 💛

Your kindness is helping fill tables and hearts across our community this holiday season.

The food collected through this drive supports:
👶 WIC families
🤱 Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) clients
💉 Clinical patients in need
🍎 Anyone in our community who asks for food assistance

Your efforts are already making a difference — and we are so grateful for your generosity and community spirit! 🌟

We are proud of our 7th-grade students. These students sponsored a Thanksgiving food drive yesterday that had tremendous participation. Thank you to these students and to everyone who donated!

Gryphons Unite: Educate, Inspire, Engage!

11/03/2025

Imagine sitting down to a warm Thanksgiving meal — and knowing your donation helped make that possible for someone else. 💛

Our Holiday Food Drive is still underway through November 14!
📦 Drop off your items in the lobbies of the Health Departments in Rutherford and McDowell Counties.
🕰️ FHD will be closed November 11 for Veterans Day.

We’re especially collecting items for our Thanksgiving Casserole kits, shopping list in photos.

Let’s fill every table with food — and every heart with gratitude. 🥫💚

10/30/2025

Even witches, ghosts, and goblins need clean hands! 🧙‍♂️👻

After trick-or-treating (and before enjoying that candy), wash up with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Keep germs away so your night stays frightfully fun!

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

🎁 Help Fill a Table This Holiday Season / Ayuda a Llenar una Mesa Esta Temporada Navideña

This holiday season, you can help fill a table—and a heart. 💚
Many families in our community are struggling to put food on the table.
Your donation of canned goods or pantry staples can make all the difference.

Esta temporada navideña, tú puedes ayudar a llenar una mesa… y un corazón. 💚
Muchas familias en nuestra comunidad están luchando por poner comida en la mesa.
Tu donación de alimentos enlatados o productos básicos de despensa puede marcar la diferencia.

📦 Drop-Off Location / Lugar de Entrega:
Donation boxes will be available in the lobbies of the Health Departments in Rutherford and McDowell Counties.
Las cajas de donación estarán disponibles en los vestíbulos de los Departamentos de Salud de los condados de Rutherford y McDowell.

📅 Food Drive Dates / Fechas de la Recolección:
November 3 – November 14, 2025
(Please note: The Foothills Health District will be closed November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.)
(Nota: El Distrito de Salud de las Montañas estará cerrado el 11 de noviembre en observancia del Día de los Veteranos.)

✨ Every can, box, or bag helps a neighbor celebrate the season with dignity and hope.
✨ Cada lata, caja o bolsa ayuda a que un vecino celebre la temporada con dignidad y esperanza.