Buncombe County Health & Human Services

01/08/2026

We are getting many questions from our community about measles. Our public health experts have joined Let’s Talk: Measles to help answer those and provide guidance about how to protect yourself and loved ones while also stopping the spread of measles in our community.

01/06/2026

Buncombe County Health & Human Services has confirmed three cases of measles in siblings living in the same household in Buncombe County.
People who visited the Mission Hospital Emergency Department waiting room at 509 Biltmore Ave. in Asheville between 2–6:30 a.m. on January 4, 2026, may have been exposed.
Buncombe County Public Health is working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Mission Hospital to identify and notify exposed individuals. Anyone who believes they were exposed should call 828-250-6100 for guidance.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through the air and can remain in the air for up to two hours. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, white spots in the mouth, and a red, blotchy rash.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide strong protection. People born before 1957 are generally considered immune. Individuals should review their immunization records or contact a healthcare provider to ensure they are up to date.
Buncombe County Immunization Clinic offers measles vaccinations. Walk in for an appointment at 40 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8-11:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday between 1-4:30 p.m. Please note the Buncombe County Immunizations Clinic will be closed 8-9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Normal operations will resume the same day at 9:30 a.m.
To learn more about measles, visit: https://www.buncombenc.gov/1068/Communicable-Disease-Cases
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El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Buncombe ha confirmado tres casos de sarampión en hermanos que viven en el mismo hogar.
Las personas que visitaron la sala de espera del Departamento de Emergencias del Hospital Mission, ubicado en 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, entre las 2:00 y las 6:30 a.m. del 4 de enero de 2026, pudieron haber estado expuestas.
Salud Pública del Condado de Buncombe está trabajando en coordinación con el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte y el Hospital Mission para identificar y notificar a las personas expuestas. Quienes crean haber estado expuestos deben llamar al 828-250-6100 para recibir orientación.
El sarampión es una enfermedad altamente contagiosa y prevenible mediante vacunación. Se transmite por el aire y el virus puede permanecer en el ambiente hasta por dos horas. Los síntomas incluyen fiebre, tos, secreción nasal, ojos rojos o llorosos, manchas blancas dentro de la boca y una erupción roja y manchada en la piel.
Dos dosis de la vacuna MMR (sarampión, paperas y rubéola) brindan una protección sólida. Las personas nacidas antes de 1957 generalmente se consideran inmunes. Se recomienda revisar los registros de vacunación o comunicarse con un proveedor de atención médica para asegurarse de estar al día.
La Clínica de Inmunizaciones del Condado de Buncombe ofrece vacunas contra el sarampión. Acuda sin cita previa a 40 Coxe Avenue, en el centro de Asheville, los lunes, miércoles y viernes de 8:00 a 11:30 a.m., y los martes y jueves de 1:00 a 4:30 p.m.
Tenga en cuenta que la Clínica de Inmunizaciones del Condado de Buncombe estará cerrada de 8:00 a 9:30 a.m. el miércoles 7 de enero de 2026. Las operaciones normales se reanudarán ese mismo día a las 9:30 a.m.
Para obtener más información sobre el sarampión, visite: https://www.buncombenc.gov/1068/Communicable-Disease-Cases

12/31/2025

⚠️ NC Department of Health and Human Services has announced a presumed case of measles in an unvaccinated child in nearby Polk County.

REMEMBER:
- Measles is highly contagious and can live in a space up to 2 hours after the infected person has left the area.

- Unvaccinated and non-immune individuals should receive the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure.

- Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of high fever, cough, runny nose, tiny white spots in the mouth, and a red rash that develops 3 to 5 days after symptoms.

❤️ The MMR vaccine boosts your immunity, helping keep classrooms safe and hospital rooms empty! Get the MMR vaccine if you don't have immunity to measles.

Buncombe County Government

NCDHHS announced a case of measles in an unvaccinated child in Polk County. The child had visited locations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina linked to a large ongoing measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina. The child developed symptoms of measles before Christmas and has since recovered. To protect the family’s privacy, no additional information about this individual will be released.

Learn more: ncdhhs.gov/press-releases

12/30/2025

Buncombe County Government is opening up grant applications for 2026-2027. One of the grants available is the Safety Net & Behavioral Health Maintenance of Effort Grants, which include organizations that increase access to care for residents by helping fill gaps for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or have high deductibles.

💰 Funding
Two funding streams, totaling $1.2 million annually, are available for a three-year grant cycle beginning in FY2027.

1. Safety Net funds, supported by County dollars and contracted directly through the County (amount may vary annually).
2. MOE funds, supported by County dollars and passed through to Vaya Health, with a minimum/maximum annual budget of $600,000.

📝 Eligibility
To be eligible for Safety Net/MOE funds, an organization and project must be a non-profit or for-profit with services to Buncombe County residents; projects must align with identified priorities; applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 27; and funding may be partial and/or a combination of funding streams.

❓ Questions? Questions regarding eligibility, applications, projects, etc. can be submitted up to January 30 at 5 p.m. to Kelli.Buckner@buncombenc.gov. The review committee will post all questions and answers on the Community Investment Grants Homepage by February 6, at 5 p.m.

Learn more about the process and funding criteria 👉 https://www.buncombenc.gov/1069/9083/Safety-NetMOE-Grant

Application opens January 16.

12/20/2025

12/17/2025

Flu activity is surging just as holiday travel and gatherings begin. Your immune system can help prevent serious flu illness with a boost from the yearly flu shot. This season, let's prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from flu and other viral respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and RSV.

In addition to vaccines, make sure to:
* Wash your hands with soap and water.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated.
* Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly.
* Stay home when sick.

At the same time, we are also seeing an increase in whooping cough and chickenpox in our region, and measles in nearby South Carolina. Ensure you are up to date on vaccines, stay home, and call your provider if you develop a rash and cold-like symptoms.

12/12/2025

While there are no reported measles cases in Buncombe County, nearby Upstate South Carolina is experiencing a measles outbreak with 114 cases as of December 10 and 254 people in quarantine.

Now is the time to know the symptoms and take simple steps to keep your family healthy this holiday season.

Measles Symptoms
• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Red spots and bumps starting on the forehead and spreading across the body

Higher Risk for Severe Illness: Infants, young children, and people who are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised.

What You Can Do
• Stay up to date on vaccines.
• If you have symptoms, stay home and call your health care provider.
• If you are diagnosed with measles or other contagious diseases, follow public health guidance on when it’s safe to return to normal activities.
Buncombe County Government

12/10/2025

Measles vaccines have helped to keep classrooms safe and hospital rooms empty.

But measles is making a comeback, and it spreads fast. 9 out of 10 unprotected people who are exposed to someone with measles get sick.

Before school starts, check your child’s MMR protection:
✅ 1st dose at 12-15 months
✅ 2nd dose at 4-6 years (before kindergarten!)
✅ If traveling internationally or living in an outbreak area, infants as young as 6 months can get an early dose.

12/10/2025

🏠 Stay Warm This Winter with Heating Bill Help
Applications are now open for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) for households with:
✅ Someone age 60 or older
✅ A person with a disability receiving services through the Division of Aging

LIEAP provides a one-time payment to your heating vendor to help cover winter heating costs.
👉 If your household received LIEAP last year and gets SNAP benefits, your payment may have been sent automatically in November. Check your mail—no need to reapply if you got a notice.
Didn’t get a notice? Apply starting today at epass.nc.gov

🗓️ Starting Jan. 2, all other eligible households can apply. Applications are open through March 31, 2026, or until funds run out.

📞 Need help? Call 828-250-5500 or visit 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm.

11/26/2025

This holiday, consider giving back to the community by fulfilling wishes from some of our treasured foster youth and adults.

Every year, Buncombe County Health and Human Services gathers wish lists, collects gifts, and delivers them to bring holiday cheer.

Help ensure that all of our foster youth and adults receive their holiday wishes. There are two ways to give:

🧸 Holiday Wishes for Youth (items ship directly to our office): https://amzn.to/48zskTl

🧦 Adult Wish Tree (all spots are taken but heated blankets are still needed): https://bit.ly/48vsATn

11/26/2025

🚨 Chickenpox Cases Are Rising in Buncombe County

The Public Health team is seeing an increase in chickenpox among children from infants to teens. Chickenpox spreads easily, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

Quick facts:
• Symptoms include an itchy rash that becomes fluid-filled blisters.
• People are contagious 1–2 days before the rash and until all blisters scab over.
• Complications include infections, pneumonia, and even death.
• The chickenpox vaccine is the best protection.

Scroll through the graphics to learn about prevention and what to do if you think you have chickenpox.

For vaccine appointments, contact the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic: 828-250-5096.