Rutherford County Health Department

02/04/2026

Keeping kids safe is the sweetest Valentine of all 💕

As shared by the National Child Passenger Safety Board, rear-facing is the safest way for young children to travel.

📍 The Foothills Health District has Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can check car seats, answer questions, and help families feel confident on the road.

Let’s keep our littlest Valentines riding rear-facing for as long as possible in a harness as snug as a hug.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

02/02/2026

The Foothills Health District will open at 10:30 am tomorrow, February 3rd.

02/01/2026

The Foothills Health District will be closed Monday, February 2nd.

01/30/2026

Weather Update 🌧️

Out of an abundance of caution, we will be closing at 4:00 PM today due to expected weather conditions. This allows our staff to travel home safely.

Thank you for your understanding, and please take care as the weather moves through our area.

01/28/2026

The Foothills Health District will open at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 28th.

Please be advised that conditions are being closely monitored, and additional delays may occur if necessary.

Stay tuned for further updates.

01/27/2026

💙 Nurse Appreciation Shout-Out 💙

We want to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible Foothills Health District nurses who stepped up to support the Special Needs Medical Shelters in both McDowell and Rutherford Counties.

When emergencies happen, our nurses are always there—providing care, comfort, and stability for some of our most vulnerable community members. This work often happens quietly, behind the scenes, and without much recognition—but it makes a huge difference.

To our nurses: thank you for your compassion, professionalism, long hours, and unwavering commitment to serving our communities. We are incredibly proud of you and grateful for all that you do—on ordinary days and during emergencies alike.

Please join us in giving them a well-deserved round of applause 👏💙


💙 Reconocimiento a nuestras enfermeras 💙

Queremos tomarnos un momento para reconocer y agradecer a las increíbles enfermeras del Distrito de Salud de Foothills que apoyaron los Refugios Médicos para Personas con Necesidades Especiales en los condados de McDowell y Rutherford.

Cuando ocurren emergencias, nuestras enfermeras siempre están presentes—brindando atención, apoyo y tranquilidad a algunos de los miembros más vulnerables de nuestra comunidad. Este trabajo muchas veces ocurre de manera silenciosa y sin reconocimiento, pero tiene un impacto enorme.

A nuestras enfermeras: gracias por su compasión, profesionalismo, largas horas de trabajo y compromiso inquebrantable con el servicio a nuestras comunidades. Estamos muy orgullosos de ustedes y profundamente agradecidos por todo lo que hacen—tanto en los días normales como durante emergencias.

Por favor, acompáñenos a brindarles un merecido aplauso 👏💙

01/26/2026

The Foothills Health District will open at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 27th.

Please be advised that conditions are being closely monitored, and additional delays may occur if necessary.

Stay tuned for further updates.

01/25/2026

Foothills Health District will be closed Monday, January 26, due to weather conditions.

Please continue to check back for updates as the storm progresses.

Your safety is our priority—please stay home and stay safe.

El Distrito de Salud de Foothills estará cerrado el lunes 26 de enero debido a las condiciones climáticas.

Por favor, continúe revisando para obtener actualizaciones conforme avanza la tormenta.

Su seguridad es nuestra prioridad—por favor, quédese en casa y manténgase a salvo.

01/25/2026

01/25/2026

01-25-26: Winter Storm Fern Update for Rutherford County

01/21/2026

🦠 Measles: What You Should Know

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and the air—and it can remain in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves a room.

At this time, Rutherford County has only 1 confirmed case of measles, and public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Symptoms often begin 7–14 days after exposure and may include:
• High fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes
• A rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward

Measles can be serious and lead to complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, brain swelling, pregnancy complications, and even death.

💉 Vaccination is the best protection.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

📞 Call Foothills Health District to check your vaccine status or schedule an appointment:
McDowell: 828-652-6811
Rutherford: 828-287-6100

Please share to help keep our community informed and protected.

🦠 Sarampión: Lo que debe saber

El sarampión es un virus altamente contagioso que se propaga al toser, estornudar y a través del aire. El virus puede permanecer en el aire hasta por 2 horas después de que una persona infectada salga de una habitación.

En este momento, el condado de Rutherford tiene solo 1 caso confirmado de sarampión, y los funcionarios de salud pública continúan monitoreando la situación de cerca.

Los síntomas generalmente aparecen entre 7 y 14 días después de la exposición e incluyen:
• Fiebre alta
• Secreción nasal
• Tos
• Ojos rojos y llorosos
• Una erupción que generalmente comienza en la cara y se extiende hacia abajo al resto del cuerpo

El sarampión puede ser grave y provocar complicaciones como neumonía, hospitalización, inflamación del cerebro, complicaciones durante el embarazo e incluso la muerte.

💉 La vacunación es la mejor protección.
Dos dosis de la vacuna MMR son aproximadamente 97% efectivas para prevenir el sarampión.

📞 Llame al Distrito de Salud de Foothills para verificar el estado de su vacuna o programar una cita:
McDowell: 828-652-6811
Rutherford: 828-287-6100

Por favor, comparta esta información para ayudar a mantener a nuestra comunidad informada y protegida.

01/21/2026

Be prepared and stay warm!