“We knew that the first case of measles could be the spark that lit our communities on fire.”

Our communities stood on the edge of a crisis when measles made its way to Western North Carolina. We knew that the first case of measles could be the spark that lit our communities on fire. But instead of panic, we saw execution. Instead of chaos, we saw collaboration. Instead of isolation, we saw creative partnerships. As measles cases surged nationwide, sparking outbreaks in community after community, the public health workforce in WNC was preparing.

~ Brandon Romstadt

Watch the videos below to hear from the people who kept families safe, kids in school, and our most vulnerable neighbors healthy.

VOICES FROM THE REGION

Anna Lippard

Health Director, Jackson County

Natalie Trachsel

Health Director, Polk County

Stacie Saunders

Deputy Director, NCDHHS

Matthew Burrell

EMS Operations Manager, Jackson County

Jennifer Gregory

Communicable Disease Nurse, Jackson County
View Our YouTube Playlist

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Meet Your Health Department

Check Your Status

Learn More

545 Schultz Cir, Newland, NC 28657

Mon – Fri, 8:00AM – 4:30PM

(828) 733-6031

https://toeriverhealth.org/

40 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

(828) 250-5000

https://www.buncombenc.gov

700 E Parker Road Morganton, NC 28655

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

828-764-9150

https://www.burkenc.org

228 Hilton Street Murphy, NC 28906

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – noon and 1 – 5 p.m.

828-837-7486

https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/

345 Courthouse Drive Hayesville, North Carolina 28904

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm

(828) 389-8052

https://health.claync.us/

2345 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

(828) 426-8400

https://www.caldwellcountync.org/

43 John Crowe Hill Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719

Monday – Friday, 7:45am to 4:30pm

(828) 359-6180

https://phhs.ebci-nsn.gov/

191 P And J Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Mon – Fri, 8-5

(828) 479-7900

https://www.health.grahamcounty.org/

15 Paragon Pkwy, Waynesville, NC

Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm

(828) 452-6675

https://haywoodcountync.gov/

1200 Spartanburg Hwy #100, Hendersonville, NC 28792

M – F, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(828) 692-4223

https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/

538 Scotts Creek Road Sylva, NC 28779

Office: Mon-Fri, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Clinic: Mon-Fri, 7:30am – 5:00pm (LATE CLINIC 2nd Wednesday of the Month until 7:00pm)

(828) 586-8994

https://www.jacksonnc.org/

1830 Lakeside Drive Franklin, NC 28734

Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 5:30 pm

(828) 349-2081

https://www.maconnc.org/

493 Medical Park Drive Marshall, NC 28753

Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm

828.649.3531

https://www.madisoncountyhealth.org/

408 Spaulding Road Marion, NC  28752

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

(828) 652-6811

https://www.foothillshd.org/

130 Forest Service Drive, Suite D Bakersville, NC 28705

Mon – Fri, 8:00AM – 4:30PM

(828) 688-2371

https://toeriverhealth.org/

2881 NC-108 Hwy E Columbus, NC  28722

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

(828) 894-8271

https://www.polknc.gov/

221 Callahan Koon Rd. 408 Spindale, NC 28160

Monday-Friday 8:30AM – 5:00pm

(828) 287-6100

https://www.foothillshd.org/

545 Center St, Bryson City, NC 28713

Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

(828) 488-3198

https://www.swaincountync.gov/

106 E Morgan St UNIT 105, Brevard, NC 28712

Monday – Thursday
8:30am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-5:00pm
Friday
8:30am-5:00pm (last appt at 4:30pm)

(828) 884-3135

https://transylvaniahealth.org/

202 Medical Campus Dr, Burnsville, NC 28714

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)

(828) 682-6118

https://yanceycountyhealthdepartment

NCDHHS Immunity Status Checker

Provided by NCDHHS Division of Public Health, you can take this quiz to find out if you are considered immune to measles and to get guidance based on your responses.

Check Your Status Here

MEASLES FAQ

  • Unvaccinated children under 5
  • Unvaccinated adults
  • People who are pregnant
  • People with weakened immune systems

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/

Starts like a cold:

  • High fever (103-105°F)
  • Cough, runny nose, red eyes

Then comes the rash:

  • Flat red spots starting on face
  • Spreads down entire body
  • Lasts 5-6 days

Severe symptoms include:

  • Pneumonia 
  • Brain Swelling (encephalitis) 
  • Death

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/

  • Symptoms appear 10-14 days after exposure
  • Contagious 4 days BEFORE rash appears
  • Rash lasts 5-6 days

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on earth.

  • 9 out 10 unvaccinated people exposed will get sick
  • 1 in 10 cases require hospitalization
  • Can cause pneumonia, brain damage, even death

Real Life Impacts:

  • Unvaccinated children exposed must quarantine 21-28 days
    • That’s 3-4 weeks of no school for kids, no work for parents, limited/no childcare options, and disrupted routines

The good news?
The MMR vaccine is a MODERN MIRACLE with a 50 year track record of preventing measles and protecting communities. When vaccination rates are high, measles can’t spread. Vaccination allows life to keep moving forward for you, your family, and your community.

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/

MADE POSSIBLE IN COLLABORATION WITH

 
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