Caldwell County Health Department

07/30/2026

⚠️Rabies Case Confirmed in Caldwell County⚠️
Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement Division - North Carolina has confirmed that a fox found at a residence on Park Loop in Rhodhiss tested positive for rabies. This is the second confirmed rabies case in Caldwell County this year.

Help protect your family and pets by following these important safety tips:

🐾 Keep all pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations and ensure they wear their license tags.
🐾 Supervise pets to prevent contact with wildlife.
🐾 If your pet is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, wear gloves before handling your pet to avoid contact with infectious saliva.
🐾 Teach children to avoid wild animals, including bats, and animals they do not know.
🐾 Remove food sources that attract wildlife, including pet food left outside overnight and food scraps.

If you have questions about rabies or rabies vaccinations, contact Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement at 828-572-4535 or visit 180 Government Way, Lenoir, NC 28645.

For emergencies outside normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), contact the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 828-758-2324.

Please share this information to help keep our community safe. Read the full press release on our website. https://www.caldwellcountync.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/269

07/29/2026

We've had some concerns regarding bat exposure in the county. Here's some tips if you encounter bats in dwellings.

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

You may have seen or heard the word "cyclosporiasis" going around lately. Here's some things to know to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.

If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms, you can call the Health Department at 828-426-8400 to schedule an appointment with our providers.

07/21/2026

🥬 NCDHHS continues to investigate the increase in cyclosporiasis cases across North Carolina alongside the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and local partners.

While the source has not yet been confirmed, parsley, cilantro and lettuce are among the foods most commonly reported by people who became sick. These ingredients have not been confirmed as the source but remain part of the ongoing investigation.

To help reduce your risk:
✔️ Wash your hands before preparing food.
✔️ Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.
✔️ Consider fully cooking parsley, cilantro and lettuce if using them in meals until more is known.
✔️ If you have severe or ongoing diarrhea, contact your health care provider.

NCDHHS will continue providing updates as the investigation progresses.

Read the full release here ➡️ https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/07/17/ncdhhs-provides-update-cyclosporiasis-north-carolina
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🥬 El NCDHHS continúa investigando el aumento de casos de ciclosporiasis en Carolina del Norte, en colaboración con el Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor de Carolina del Norte y socios locales.

Aunque aún no se ha confirmado la fuente, el perejil, el cilantro y la lechuga figuran entre los alimentos mencionados con mayor frecuencia por las personas que enfermaron. Estos ingredientes no han sido confirmados como la fuente del brote, pero siguen formando parte de la investigación en curso.

Para ayudar a reducir el riesgo:
✔️ Lávese las manos antes de preparar alimentos.
✔️ Enjuague las frutas y verduras frescas con agua corriente.
✔️ Considere cocinar bien el perejil, el cilantro y la lechuga si los utiliza en sus comidas, hasta que se disponga de más información.
✔️ Si presenta diarrea grave o persistente, consulte a su proveedor de atención médica.

El NCDHHS seguirá proporcionando actualizaciones a medida que avance la investigación.

Lee el comunicado completo aquí ➡️ https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/07/17/ncdhhs-provides-update-cyclosporiasis-north-carolina

07/10/2026

North Carolina is seeing an increase of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that causes upset stomach. To avoid infection, make sure you are handling and cleaning fresh produce appropriately. This includes thorough hand washing before and after preparing fresh produce.

For more details, visit epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/cyclosporiasis.html

07/08/2026

We love working with the United Way of Caldwell County and hope that you all can come to this event to help this wonderful cause. Spread the word and check out their shopping lists!

We're so excited to share our lineup for next month's Stuff the Bus event on August 3!

We will be sharing a list of donation sites across the county soon, but in the meantime, you can download our Supply List and start shopping or order through our Amazon Wish List.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.caldwellunitedway.org/uwevents

07/06/2026

As a reminder, we're in the middle of tick season. Here's some tips to keep in mind to keep you and your loved ones healthy.

06/26/2026

Caldwell County Offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in recognition of the 4th of July. Convenience sites will be open on July 3, and CLOSED ON SATURDAY, JULY 4,

County Offices and Convenience Sites will resume normal hours on Monday, July 6.

06/23/2026

Health officials at the Caldwell County Health Department (CCHD) have noticed higher-than-usual pertussis activity, also known as "whooping cough," reported in Caldwell County in the past few months. All known pertussis cases in Caldwell County have been handled and investigated appropriately. In response to this increase in cases, CCHD is educating the community about symptoms and urging everyone to get the vaccine if they have not had the recommended doses.