Buncombe County Health & Human Services

08/12/2026

Heads up, Barnardsville: Buncombe County Public Health will be coming to you as part of the inaugural Buncombe Ready series. We'll be there, along with other County departments and community partners, to share resources, provide resiliency demos, offer free barbecue, live music, and more.

Drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Barnardsville Elementary School.

08/12/2026

🌡We got a little break from the heat, but temps are rising! Buncombe County is under a Heat Health Alert on Aug. 12 & 13 with the heat index expected to reach 92 degrees.

Temperatures this high can be dangerous for everyone. It is especially dangerous for those more vulnerable to heat like older adults, people with disabilities, outside workers, children, those without air conditioning, pregnant people, and pets.

💊People who take certain medications, including heart and blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and antipsychotics, antihistamines, stimulants, overactive bladder medication, and diabetes and weight loss drugs, are also more vulnerable to the heat.

Check on your neighbors and family. Stay cool in an area with A/C, drink plenty of fluids, wear light clothing, and never leave kids or pets in a car. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3PzbugO

Español:
🌡️ Tuvimos un breve respiro del calor, ¡pero las temperaturas vuelven a subir! El condado de Buncombe está bajo una alerta de salud por calor los días 12 y 13 de agosto; se espera que el índice de calor alcance los 92 grados Fahrenheit.

Temperaturas tan elevadas pueden ser peligrosas para todos. El riesgo es mayor para las personas más vulnerables al calor, como los adultos mayores, las personas con discapacidades, los trabajadores que laboran al aire libre, los niños, las personas sin aire acondicionado, las embarazadas y las mascotas.

💊 Las personas que toman ciertos medicamentos —incluidos fármacos para el corazón y la presión arterial, antidepresivos y antipsicóticos, antihistamínicos, estimulantes, medicamentos para la vejiga hiperactiva, así como medicamentos para la diabetes y la pérdida de peso— también son más vulnerables al calor.

Esté pendiente de sus vecinos y familiares. Manténgase fresco en un lugar con aire acondicionado, beba abundantes líquidos, use ropa ligera y nunca deje a niños ni mascotas dentro de un automóvil. Más información: https://bit.ly/3PzbugO

08/07/2026

🦟A first case of west nile virus in the state is a reminder to protect yourself from mosquito bites. West nile virus is a disease spread through mosquitoes. Most people experience no symptoms while some experience mild, flu-like symptoms.

How to protect yourself:
- Use mosquito repellent containing DEET (or equivalent) when outside.

- Install or repair screens on windows and doors.

- "Tip and Toss" – reduce mosquito breeding by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths at least once a week.

- Inspect surrounding trees for tree holes, which are considered a major breeding ground for mosquitoes.

08/04/2026

Heads up! The following Buncombe County clinics at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville will have a delayed opening on Wednesday, Aug. 5 due to staff training:

-Immunizations
-STI
-Tuberculosis
-Family Planning
-PreP
-Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program

Regular schedules will resume at 10 a.m.

Español:

¡Atención! Las siguientes clínicas del condado de Buncombe, ubicadas en el 40 de Coxe Avenue en Asheville, abrirán más tarde de lo habitual el miércoles 5 de agosto debido a una capacitación del personal:

-Vacunación
-Infecciones de transmisión sexual
-Tuberculosis
-Planificación familiar
-PrEP
-Programa de control de cáncer de mama y de cuello uterino

El horario habitual se reanudará a las 10 a. m.

07/29/2026

Buncombe County is still at 4 cases of cyclospora. It is always best to practice good hand hygiene and clean produce before eating.

- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Scrub firm fruits and veggies.
- Wash produce even if it is labeled “prewashed.”
- Cook produce to significantly reduce the risk of illness.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing produce.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.

North Carolina is now reporting 718 cases and 24 hospitalizations since early May.

A new statewide dashboard is available to keep the public informed with weekly updates. Current interviews show parsley and cilantro are often mentioned, but many people did not eat either, meaning there may be more than one source.

Please continue washing produce thoroughly and cook foods when possible. Contact a health care provider if you are experiencing severe or persistent diarrhea. Staying hydrated is also important.

Read the full release here ➡️ https://bit.ly/44Un3Du
Access the statewide dashboard here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4x79Hj9
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Carolina del Norte registra actualmente 718 casos y 24 hospitalizaciones desde principios de mayo.

Ya está disponible un nuevo panel de información a nivel estatal para mantener al público informado mediante actualizaciones semanales. Las entrevistas realizadas hasta el momento indican que a menudo se mencionan el perejil y el cilantro; sin embargo, muchas personas no consumieron ninguno de los dos, lo que sugiere que podría haber más de una fuente de contagio.

Por favor, continúe lavando minuciosamente los productos agrícolas y cocine los alimentos siempre que sea posible. Consulte a un profesional de la salud si presenta diarrea grave o persistente. También es importante mantenerse hidratado.

Lea el comunicado completo aquí ➡️ https://bit.ly/44Un3Du
Acceda al panel de información estatal aquí ➡️ https://bit.ly/4x79Hj9

07/23/2026

Our Public Health Mobile Team will join Charles D. Owen Middle School. Owen Middle School for the Health Blitz welcoming parents, caregivers, and students to a new school year with important health-related services.

You can get:
🏀Sports Physicals
❤️Vaccines for 7th and 12th graders
📋North Carolina Health Assessment Forms
👀Hearing and Vision Screenings
🎉All for free!

Join us on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Owen Middle at 730 Old U.S. Hwy 70 in Swannanoa.

07/22/2026

💉 Getting kids and teens’ required immunizations is easier now thanks to the Buncombe County Immunization After-Hours Clinic and Buncombe County School’s Health Blitz event.

In North Carolina, kindergarten, 7th, and 12th grade students have until the 30th calendar day of school to receive their required vaccines, but germs don’t wait to start spreading.

We know that preparing for the school year can be a hectic time, so here are a few opportunities to ensure kids and teens receive their recommended vaccines.

🕜 After-Hours Clinics
When: September 9, 21, 22, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: 40 Coxe Avenue, Downtown Asheville
Cost: Low-to-no cost vaccines (free parking, bring ticket from Sears Alley Parking Deck)
Please bring your health insurance cards if you have insurance and any immunization records you have. Vaccines are available for low-to-no-cost for children through the Vaccines for Children Program. If you received vaccines in North Carolina, we can also find immunization records for you.

🍎 School Health Blitz
When: Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Owen Middle School, 730 Old U.S. HWY 70, Swannanoa
Cost: Free
Students and their caregivers can get free sports physicals, vaccines, N.C. Health Assessment Forms, and hearing and vision screenings.

07/16/2026

Wash hands & clean and cook produce: We are seeing a rise in cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide and in North Carolina.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. While not typically life threatening, the illness can lead to hospitalization for some.

There are currently four cases in Buncombe County.

Symptoms: (begin about one week after infection) watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramping or pain, bloating, Increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.

What is causing it?
Cyclospora is commonly associated with fresh herbs and produce consumed without cooking such as herbs and certain fruits. Because the parasite can survive the journey from the field to the consumer’s plate, even if properly cleaned, public health officials encourage cooking produce to significantly reduce the risk of illness.

State and local partners continue to work to identify possible sources of exposure. Cyclospora contamination originates at the location where a produce item is grown and not from a local restaurant or food establishment.

Safety Guidance and Prevention Tips
- Wash all produce well under running water; gently scrub firm items.
- Remove outer leaves of leafy greens and discard bruised areas.
- Cook produce to significantly reduce the risk of illness.
- Hand hygiene: wash hands for at least 20 seconds before eating/preparing food and after bathroom use.
- Stay hydrated, seek care for persistent diarrhea.

07/02/2026

🥵 Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and it can happen faster than you think.

If you or someone you're with shows these warning signs, move to a cool place immediately and call 911. Don't wait to see if symptoms improve.

Outdoor workers, older adults, people taking certain medications, including antidepressants, and young children are at highest risk.
Stay alert this summer.