Iredell County Health Department

08/31/2026

NC Department of Health and Human Services has released potential exposure locations and dates related to recent rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County.
🔗: https://tinyurl.com/yrn6vy24

If you touched or handled the goats at any of these events between July 28 and August 27, contact the Iredell County Health Department.

Possible exposure dates/locations include:
-Statesville
-Lexington
-Mecklenburg
-Watauga
-Burke
-Davie
-Durham
-Iredell counties.

If you touched or handled the goats at any of these events, contact your local health department before visiting urgent care/ER to see if preventive treatment is needed.
Rabies is deadly but preventable.

More info here epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/rabies.html

08/30/2026

⚠️ Public Health Alert: Possible Rabies Exposures Linked to a Petting-Zoo Farm
Iredell County Health Department is working with state and local partners following confirmation of rabies in baby goats at a traveling petting-zoo farm homed in Harmony.
The farm has participated in public events and visits across multiple counties, including events involving children and older adults. Because rabies can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, people who had close contact with the affected goats during the potential exposure events occurring between July 28, 2026, and August 27, 2026, may need a public-health risk assessment. If you believe you have had exposure, call the Iredell County Health Department After Hours Line at 704-878-3037.
For the full release, visit: https://tinyurl.com/48mbx4jh

08/30/2026

State officials have shared new information about potential rabies exposure linked to baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in Iredell County.

The goats were likely exposed in late July and may have been infectious at multiple public and private events through Aug 27. Anyone who had direct contact with these animals should call their local health department to learn whether preventive care is needed. Rabies is rare but serious, and early guidance can help protect your health while the investigation continues.

Read the full release here➡️ ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/29/ncdhhs-shares-new-details-about-rabies-mobile-petting-zoo
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Las autoridades estatales han dado a conocer nueva información sobre una posible exposición a la rabia relacionada con crías de cabra de un zoológico interactivo móvil en el condado de Iredell.

Es probable que las cabras se hayan expuesto a finales de julio y que hayan podido transmitir la enfermedad en diversos eventos públicos y privados hasta el 27 de agosto. Cualquier persona que haya tenido contacto directo con estos animales debe comunicarse con su departamento de salud local para saber si requiere atención preventiva. La rabia es poco frecuente pero grave; recibir orientación a tiempo puede ayudar a proteger su salud mientras continúa la investigación.

Lea el comunicado completo aquí ➡️ ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/29/ncdhhs-shares-new-details-about-rabies-mobile-petting-zoo

08/29/2026

08/27/2026

✨ Service Spotlight: Meet Brandi Anthony, LCSW!

Every Tuesday, Brandi Anthony from Kintegra Behavioral Health is right here at the Iredell County Health Department helping make mental health and substance use support a little easier to access.

Brandi is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Multi Services Clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, or patients can schedule an appointment.

She can provide brief support for mental health and substance use concerns, including:
🧠 Coping skills and mental health education
💙 Emotional support
🚭 Smoking cessation support
💊 Connections to our Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Program
🤝 Referrals for ongoing therapy and medication management when additional care is needed

Brandi can see patients regardless of insurance status, with sliding-fee options available for patients without insurance.

And because our Service Spotlights are also about the people behind the work, here are a few things you should know about Brandi:

🎨 She describes herself as “very mediocre” at painting, pottery, sewing, and quilting, which honestly sounds like a pretty solid hobby lineup to us.

🐢 Her household includes two dogs, Petey and Franny, and Maude, a two-legged rescue turtle. She also admits that if she ever gets herself into trouble, there’s a decent chance it will involve trying to pet an animal she probably shouldn’t.

💍 She’s been married for almost 13 years and reports that her husband is “pretty cool.”

🏆 And finally, Brandi won the spelling bee in both fourth and sixth grade. Fifth grade? We don’t talk about fifth grade. The word “weasel” got her that year. 😂

We’re glad to have Brandi here each Tuesday helping connect our patients with compassionate, accessible behavioral health support.

📍 Find her at our Statesville office, in Interview Room #4, in the Multi-Services Clinic.

🔗 Learn more about Kintegra Behavioral Health:
https://www.kintegra.org/locations/kintegra-integrated-medicine-statesville/

🔗 Stevens Amendment Disclosures:
https://tinyurl.com/ICHDStevens2627

08/26/2026

Back again with your weekly tip!

This one is for everyone who is mentally ready for soup season even if the weather hasn’t gotten the memo yet. 🍅🥣

This creamy tomato soup gets a little upgrade from cottage cheese, which blends right in for a smooth texture while adding protein to the pot. The recipe reheats well, and is easy to make ahead for lunches, or a quick dinner later in the week.

And before the cottage cheese skeptics leave the chat: you’re blending it.
No curds. No weird texture. Just creamy tomato soup. 😂

Swipe for the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, including an important tip for safely blending hot soup. ➡️

✅ See if you qualify for WIC today:
🔗 https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral

Questions or need support?
📌 Statesville: 704-878-5319
📌 Mooresville: 704-664-4635
📧 [email protected]

Learn more about our WIC program
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDWICNews

📢 WIC is an equal opportunity program.

Federal funding disclosure:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDStevens2627

08/25/2026

It’s ! 🦷✨
If finding a dentist has been sitting on your to-do list, we can help.

The Iredell County Health Department Dental Clinic offers exams, cleanings, fillings, and X-rays at our Statesville location.
📅 Monday–Thursday
⏰ 8 AM–4:30 PM
💳 Medicaid and most insurance accepted
💰 Sliding scale discounts may be available
🗣️ ¡Se habla español!

Ready to schedule? Call 704-878-5440 to make an appointment.

Learn more about our dental services:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDDental26

Federal funding disclosures:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDStevens2627

08/24/2026

Mosquitoes are tiny, persistent, and very good at finding the one spot you forgot to spray. 🦟😅

But their bites can be more than annoying. Mosquitoes can also spread illnesses, including West Nile virus, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and malaria.

A few simple habits can help reduce your risk:
💧 Dump standing water around your home at least once a week
🦟 Use EPA-registered insect repellent as directed
👕 Cover exposed skin when possible
👶 Take extra precautions to protect babies and young children
🏡 Check places that collect water, including toys, buckets, tires, bird baths, flowerpot saucers, kiddie pools, and outdoor pet bowls

Mosquito prevention starts close to home, and a quick check around your yard can eliminate places where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Learn more about mosquito and tick prevention:
🔗 https://www.iredellcountync.gov/1063/Mosquito-Tick

Stevens Amendment Disclosures:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDStevens2627

08/21/2026

⚠️ FROZEN BERRY RECALL: Check your freezer.

All lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination. The recalled products were distributed to Publix stores in North Carolina and several other states.

If you have one of the recalled products:
🚫 Do not eat, sell, or serve it.
🗑️ Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
🧼 Clean and sanitize any containers or surfaces the berries may have touched.

E. coli symptoms can start a few days after eating contaminated food, but may take up to 9 days to appear. Symptoms can include:
• Bad stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Some infections can become serious and cause bloody diarrhea or kidney problems, including a type of kidney failure called HUS.

If you ate the recalled berries and develop symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.

More information from the FDA:
🔗 https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o145h28-frozen-blueberries-july-2026

Federal funding disclosure:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ICHDStevens2627