Bell County Health Department

12/23/2025

Flu numbers are on the rise among children across Kentucky. As families gather this season, it’s a good time to think about how we protect the people we love, whether visiting at home, long-term care facilities or other shared spaces. Simple steps like staying home when sick, washing hands and getting vaccinated can help keep everyone safer. If you do have flu symptoms, it’s important to talk to your health care provider early. Some medications can help you recover faster if they’re taken soon after symptoms start. Learn more: https://coveryourcough.ky.gov

12/23/2025

The Bell County Health Department would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

12/18/2025

Respiratory illnesses can disrupt your respiratory system, leading to:

🤧Upper respiratory symptoms: Issues affecting your vocal cords and above, like a runny nose.
😮‍💨Lower respiratory symptoms: Problems below your vocal cords, like a persistent cough.
🤒Other symptoms: Tiredness, weakness, fever, and more.

If your symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Find more information about what to do when you are sick here: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html

12/17/2025

Healthy Babies Class – January 2026

Are you expecting a baby or have an infant under 12 months old? Join us for a Healthy Babies Class this January 2026!
👶 Who Can Attend?
All women who are pregnant or have a baby under 12 months of age are welcome.
🎁 Bonus for Attending:
Each eligible participant will receive a $25.00 Wal-Mart gift card!
📅 Class Dates:
See flyer
📞 How to Register:
Choose one class date and call 606-337-2070 to sign up.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and support your baby’s health!

12/16/2025

There will be a free HIV/Hep C testing clinic held at the Middlesboro Health Department location on January 13th and 21st from 10am-4pm. Please call 606-670-4413 with any questions. Thank you!

12/15/2025

Follow these 12 steps for the first 12 months.

12/10/2025

Decorating for the winter season with lights and candles? Remember these tips:

✨ Always turn off decorative lights before leaving home or going to sleep. Regularly check lights for exposed or frayed wires and loose connections to avoid fire hazards.

🕯️ Keep candles and matches out of reach of children. Lit candles should be placed at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended. Remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to sleep.

🚨 Test your smoke alarms to ensure they’re working properly, with one on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

For more holiday safety tips, check out our Holiday Safety tips: https://www.safekids.org/quick-tips-holiday-safety

12/08/2025

Open enrollment is HERE! With kynect, you can explore and enroll in affordable health coverage options all in one place. Don't wait long! Open enrollment ends January 15th, 2026. Visit www.kynect.ky.gov to learn more or call 855-4kynect (1-855-459-6328). Join the campaign.

12/04/2025

Staying warm with a space heater? Make sure it has an auto shut-off in case it tips over.

Check on family/friends today
Winter fires can be deadly.

When using your fireplace always keep a metal or heat tempered screen around it to stay safe.

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater.

12/03/2025

Seeing our HANDS families yesterday at our annual Christmas event was great! We would like to wish all of our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Smithfield for their donation of hams for the event.

12/02/2025

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/silvestri-sweets-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-pecan-and-wheat-cookie-butter-holiday

Silvestri Sweets Inc. of Geneva, IL is voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce bags of Choceur branded Holiday Barks because they may contain undeclared allergens.

12/02/2025

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ambriola-company-issues-recall-cheese-products-because-listeria-health-risk

The Ambriola Company is recalling select cheese products after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy in