McDowell County Health Department

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers throughout our communities and across the country.

From healthcare and public safety to education, local businesses, agriculture, public service, and so many others — thank you to everyone whose work helps keep our communities healthy, safe, and strong. ❤️🤍💙

From all of us at the Foothills Health District, we wish you a safe and happy Labor Day!

¡Feliz Día del Trabajo!

Hoy reconocemos el esfuerzo, la dedicación y las contribuciones de los trabajadores de nuestras comunidades y de todo el país.

Desde el personal de salud y seguridad pública hasta los educadores, negocios locales, trabajadores agrícolas, servidores públicos y muchos más: gracias a todos cuyo trabajo ayuda a mantener nuestras comunidades saludables, seguras y fuertes. ❤️🤍💙

De parte de todos nosotros en el Distrito de Salud Foothills, les deseamos un Día del Trabajo feliz y seguro.

09/04/2026

Labor Day Closure

The Foothills Health District will be closed Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. Our offices will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8th.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

Cierre por el Día del Trabajo

El Distrito de Salud Foothills estará cerrado el lunes 7 de septiembre en conmemoración del Día del Trabajo. Nuestras oficinas reabrirán en su horario habitual el martes 8 de septiembre.

¡Esperamos que todos tengan un Día del Trabajo seguro y agradable! ❤️🤍💙

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

⚠️ Measles Exposure Alert – Asheville, NC

NCDHHS has confirmed a potential measles exposure in Asheville involving an out-of-state resident who was infectious while traveling through the area.

📍 Holiday Inn Express
435 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
📅 August 26, 2026 | 1:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Anyone who was at this location during this timeframe should monitor for symptoms through September 16. Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash.

❗ If you develop symptoms, stay home and CALL AHEAD before visiting a healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency department. This allows healthcare staff to take precautions to protect others.

💉 The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. If you are unsure of your vaccination status or believe you may have been exposed, please contact us:

📞 Rutherford County: 828-287-6100
📞 McDowell County: 828-652-6811

Please share to help keep our communities informed.

08/29/2026

⚠️ Important Rabies Alert

The Foothills Health District is sharing important information following confirmed cases of rabies in several baby goats associated with Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony, NC.

NCDHHS is asking anyone who had direct contact with baby goats from Farm Adventures between July 28 and August 27, 2026—either in Harmony or at an off-site event—to contact their local health department.

Rabies is preventable when potential exposures are identified and treated promptly. Do not wait for symptoms to develop before reaching out. Simply being at an event with the animals does not necessarily mean you were exposed.

📞 Think you or your child may have had direct contact? Please call:
Rutherford County: 828-287-6100
McDowell County: 828-652-6811

The investigation is ongoing, and we will share additional information as it becomes available.

Please share this information to help us reach anyone who may have had contact with these animals.

08/27/2026

08/13/2026

📱 Parents & Caregivers — This is an important conversation worth having.

Growing up in a digital world brings challenges that many parents and caregivers are learning to navigate right alongside their children. An upcoming community event, The Third Talk®: An Early-Age Digital Risk Prevention Conversation, is designed to help families have those difficult conversations a little more easily.

Featuring John Van Arnam, Founder of The Third Talk®, the presentation will discuss challenges young people may encounter online and how families can talk about them without shame, blame, or colorful language. The event is intended for rising 6th graders and up, and parents and their children are strongly encouraged to attend together.

📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 East McDowell Middle School
676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752

Helping young people safely navigate the online world starts with open, age-appropriate conversations. We’re happy to help spread the word about this opportunity for McDowell County families!

The event is sponsored by the McDowell County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

💙 Please share to help us get the word out to local families!

08/11/2026

🛡️ Protect What Matters Most: Keep Your Family Up to Date on Vaccinations

As children head back to school and families settle into a new school year, now is the perfect time to make sure everyone is up to date on their recommended immunizations.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging parents to talk with their child's healthcare provider about recommended vaccines. Vaccines remain one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious diseases and help keep our schools and communities healthy.

The Foothills Health District offers immunizations for children, teens, and adults, including vaccines required for school attendance and recommended routine immunizations.

📍 Serving Rutherford & McDowell Counties

📞 Rutherford County: 828-287-6100

📞 McDowell County: 828-652-6811

Together, we can help protect what matters most—our families and our community. 💙💚

STATEMENT — Following the Aug. 10, 2026, Executive Order on childhood vaccines, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reaffirms the…

08/11/2026

📚🚐 The Bookmobile is stopping by TODAY!

The McDowell County Library Bookmobile will be at the McDowell County Health Department today, August 11, from 3:00–4:00 PM!

📍 McDowell County Health Department
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM

Stop by to browse a great selection of books for all ages, check out your next favorite read, sign up for a library card, or simply learn more about the resources available through the McDowell County Library.

Whether you're a lifelong reader or looking for something new, the Bookmobile makes it easy to bring the library right to your community. We hope you'll stop by and say hello! 📖💙

📚🚐 ¡El Bookmobile estará con nosotros HOY!

¡El Bookmobile de la Biblioteca del Condado de McDowell estará en el Departamento de Salud del Condado de McDowell hoy, 11 de agosto, de 3:00 p. m. a 4:00 p. m.!

📍 Departamento de Salud del Condado de McDowell
🕒 3:00–4:00 p. m.

Visítenos para explorar una gran selección de libros para todas las edades, encontrar su próxima lectura favorita, obtener una tarjeta de la biblioteca o conocer más sobre los recursos y servicios que ofrece la Biblioteca del Condado de McDowell.

Ya sea que le encante leer o simplemente esté buscando algo nuevo, el Bookmobile hace que sea fácil disfrutar de la biblioteca aquí mismo en su comunidad. ¡Esperamos verlo hoy! 📖💙