McDowell County Health Department

09/25/2026

TODAY IS GIVE LIKE DOLLY DAY! 📚

Dolly believed every child deserves the chance to dream big — and sometimes those dreams begin with a book.

Today, you can help Partnership for Children of the Foothills continue bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children across McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties.

Will you Give Like Dolly?

❤️ Make your gift at pfcfoothills.org

Or mail a check to:
Partnership for Children of the Foothills
338 Withrow Road
Forest City, NC 28043

Together, we can help fill mailboxes, bookshelves and childhoods with stories.

Give Like Dolly today!

09/21/2026

💉 Bring the Flu Shot to Your Workplace!

Foothills Health District is now scheduling on-site flu clinics for local employers, businesses, and organizations this flu season!

Make it easier for your employees or members to protect themselves — we’ll come to you. Our team can provide flu vaccinations right at your workplace or organization, helping reduce the time and hassle of employees having to schedule individual appointments.

🏢 Great for:
• Businesses and workplaces
• Schools and childcare facilities
• Churches and faith communities
• Local governments and organizations
• Community groups and more!

📅 Now scheduling on-site clinics!

Interested in hosting a flu clinic for your employees or organization? Contact Foothills Health District to learn more and get your clinic on the calendar.

Help keep your team healthy this flu season! 💙

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers throughout our communities and across the country.

From healthcare and public safety to education, local businesses, agriculture, public service, and so many others — thank you to everyone whose work helps keep our communities healthy, safe, and strong. ❤️🤍💙

From all of us at the Foothills Health District, we wish you a safe and happy Labor Day!

¡Feliz Día del Trabajo!

Hoy reconocemos el esfuerzo, la dedicación y las contribuciones de los trabajadores de nuestras comunidades y de todo el país.

Desde el personal de salud y seguridad pública hasta los educadores, negocios locales, trabajadores agrícolas, servidores públicos y muchos más: gracias a todos cuyo trabajo ayuda a mantener nuestras comunidades saludables, seguras y fuertes. ❤️🤍💙

De parte de todos nosotros en el Distrito de Salud Foothills, les deseamos un Día del Trabajo feliz y seguro.

09/04/2026

Labor Day Closure

The Foothills Health District will be closed Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. Our offices will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8th.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

Cierre por el Día del Trabajo

El Distrito de Salud Foothills estará cerrado el lunes 7 de septiembre en conmemoración del Día del Trabajo. Nuestras oficinas reabrirán en su horario habitual el martes 8 de septiembre.

¡Esperamos que todos tengan un Día del Trabajo seguro y agradable! ❤️🤍💙

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

⚠️ Measles Exposure Alert – Asheville, NC

NCDHHS has confirmed a potential measles exposure in Asheville involving an out-of-state resident who was infectious while traveling through the area.

📍 Holiday Inn Express
435 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
📅 August 26, 2026 | 1:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Anyone who was at this location during this timeframe should monitor for symptoms through September 16. Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash.

❗ If you develop symptoms, stay home and CALL AHEAD before visiting a healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency department. This allows healthcare staff to take precautions to protect others.

💉 The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. If you are unsure of your vaccination status or believe you may have been exposed, please contact us:

📞 Rutherford County: 828-287-6100
📞 McDowell County: 828-652-6811

Please share to help keep our communities informed.

08/29/2026

⚠️ Important Rabies Alert

The Foothills Health District is sharing important information following confirmed cases of rabies in several baby goats associated with Farm Adventures, a mobile petting zoo based in Harmony, NC.

NCDHHS is asking anyone who had direct contact with baby goats from Farm Adventures between July 28 and August 27, 2026—either in Harmony or at an off-site event—to contact their local health department.

Rabies is preventable when potential exposures are identified and treated promptly. Do not wait for symptoms to develop before reaching out. Simply being at an event with the animals does not necessarily mean you were exposed.

📞 Think you or your child may have had direct contact? Please call:
Rutherford County: 828-287-6100
McDowell County: 828-652-6811

The investigation is ongoing, and we will share additional information as it becomes available.

Please share this information to help us reach anyone who may have had contact with these animals.

08/27/2026

08/13/2026

📱 Parents & Caregivers — This is an important conversation worth having.

Growing up in a digital world brings challenges that many parents and caregivers are learning to navigate right alongside their children. An upcoming community event, The Third Talk®: An Early-Age Digital Risk Prevention Conversation, is designed to help families have those difficult conversations a little more easily.

Featuring John Van Arnam, Founder of The Third Talk®, the presentation will discuss challenges young people may encounter online and how families can talk about them without shame, blame, or colorful language. The event is intended for rising 6th graders and up, and parents and their children are strongly encouraged to attend together.

📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 East McDowell Middle School
676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752

Helping young people safely navigate the online world starts with open, age-appropriate conversations. We’re happy to help spread the word about this opportunity for McDowell County families!

The event is sponsored by the McDowell County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

💙 Please share to help us get the word out to local families!