News
Health Department, Animal Control Division to Host Free Drive-Through Rabies Clinic April 13
Staff from the Gaston County Health Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line Saturday morning, April 13. The event is sponsored by the Gaston Humane Society.
Public Health Officials Urge Flu Shots as Early Flu Season Arrives
An increase in nationwide influenza cases over the last two weeks indicates the flu season has begun early, and with reported deaths from flu in North Carolina, public health officials are urging everyone, especially those at risk for complications, to get vaccinated now.
World AIDS Day Remembrance and Testing Event to be held Nov. 30 at Health Department
The public is invited to commemorate World AIDS Day at 8:15 a.m. on November 30, at the front entrance of the Gaston County Health Department, 991 W. Hudson Blvd.
Health Department Encourages Turkey Safety for a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season
The Health Department wants to talk turkey with Gaston County residents – turkey safety, that is.
Girls on the Run of Gaston County Receives Two Recognitions
Girls on the Run of Gaston County has received two recognitions for the program’s high performance.
Gaston Teen Pregnancy Rates Hit Record Lows for Second Consecutive Year
Gaston County’s teen pregnancy rate (girls 15-19 years old) dropped 18.5 percent in 2011 to a record low for the county, according to data from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, released today by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina.
Public Health Officials: Don’t Let the Flu Get You!
Cold and flu season is upon us, and public health officials are urging the flu shot as a critical part of protecting yourself and the people you love.
Gaston’s Infant Mortality Rates Drop for Second Straight Year
Gaston County’s infant mortality rate dropped for the second consecutive year, from 8.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 5.1 in 2011. This represents a nine-year low in the county’s infant mortality rate.
Update: E. coli Outbreak
Local and state public health workers are making progress in their joint investigation of the E. coli outbreak among people who attended the Cleveland County Fair this year.
Update: E. Coli Outbreak
Gaston County’s number of E. coli cases in the outbreak among people who attended the Cleveland County Fair did not change Thursday, but two of the four probable cases of E. coli infection in Gaston County residents are now lab-confirmed.
Health Officials Investigating Probable E. coli Outbreak
The Gaston County Health Department is investigating a probable outbreak of illness caused by the bacterium E. coli.
Health Department, Animal Control Division to Host Free Drive-Through Rabies Clinic Sept. 22
Staff from the Gaston County Health Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line Saturday morning, Sept. 22.
Teen Parenting Program Hosts Information Session on the Rights & Responsibilities of Teen Parents
Being a teen parent isn’t an easy job, and the Teen Parenting Program at the Gaston County Health Department is working to ensure that teen parents have the information they need to raise healthy, strong, and capable children.
Health Department Offers Opportunities to Get Kids Caught Up on Required School Shots; Officials Urge Whooping Cough Vaccine
Kids across Gaston County are heading back to school, and the Health Department will be offering multiple opportunities in August and September for parents to get required shots for their children.
Health Department Awarded Grant for Breast Cancer Prevention & Support from Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The Charlotte affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded the Gaston County Health Department nearly $26,000 for breast cancer services in Gaston County.
Gaston Sees First Lab-Confirmed Rabies Case of 2012; Two Unvaccinated Pets Exposed to Rabid Fox, Euthanized
Last week, a fox caught and killed by two dogs in Mount Holly was confirmed by a state laboratory to have rabies.
The pets had not been vaccinated for rabies and were turned over to Gaston County Animal Control to be euthanized, as required by state law.
“This sad case perfectly illustrates why we encourage every pet owner in Gaston County to keep their pet’s rabies vaccines current,” said Animal Control Administrator Reggie Horton. “Even with inside pets, exposure can happen in an instant, and if the pet isn’t vaccinated, you’re likely to lose that pet or face a huge quarantine bill. Staying current on your pet’s rabies vaccine protects them, it protects the community, and it can prevent a lot of heartache.”
Health Department to Conduct Free, Confidential HIV Tests June 27
One in five people with HIV doesn’t know it, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Gaston County Health Department seeks to ensure everyone knows their HIV status and, if infected, is taking medications to promote a longer, healthier life and reduce the spread of the disease to others.
That’s why the Health Department’s Gaston HIV Outreach Program (GHOP) is holding a drop-in testing event 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. June 27 at the Health Department’s main branch at 991 W. Hudson Blvd.
WIC Program Provides Assistance for Eligible Women, Infants & Children
Mothers-to-be and parents of young children may be eligible for a Health Department program if they need help providing their children with nutritious food.
The WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program provides its clients with vouchers to buy healthy food as well as nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support and referrals to other health and community services clients may need.
Health Department, Partners Seek Feedback from County Residents through Quality of Life Survey
Health Department and its partner agencies are asking the residents of Gaston County for feedback on what would make life in Gaston County better.
Community Health Leaders Begin Review of County Health Indicators
Public health and health care leaders in Gaston County assembled last week to begin the process of reviewing Gaston’s County Health Rankings and the health issues behind those rankings.
Teen Wellness Center Grand Opening Set for Thursday
The Gaston County Health Department will roll out a comprehensive revamping of its medical services for teens with the grand opening of the Teen Wellness Center at its Hudson Boulevard location Thursday.
Health Department, Animal Control to Host Free Drive-Through Rabies Clinic April 14
Staff from the Gaston County Health Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line Saturday morning, April 14. The event is sponsored by the Gaston Humane Society.
New Data Shows Gaston’s Health Is Not Improving as Quickly as Other N.C. Counties
New County Health Rankings reveal Gaston County is showing small improvements on some health issues and holding its own on others. Critically, Gaston is not improving community health measures as quickly as other North Carolina counties.
Health Department Opens New Clinic Sites for Teens
The Gaston County Health Department is taking another step in the revamping of its medical services for teens with the opening of Bessemer City and Cherryville sites in February.
Gaston, NC Teen Pregnancy Rates Hit Record Lows
Gaston County’s teen pregnancy rate (girls 15-19 years old) dropped nearly 5 percent in 2010 to a record low for the county, according to data from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics.
Health Department Hires Non-Profit Executive Steve Eaton as Assistant County Health Director
The Gaston County Health Department announces the hiring of Steve Eaton as Assistant Gaston County Health Director.
World AIDS Day Remembrance Set for Dec. 1 at Health Department
The public is invited to commemorate World AIDS Day, 8 a.m. Dec. 1, at the front entrance of the Gaston County Health Department, 991 W. Hudson Blvd.
Gaston's Infant Mortality Rates Drop
Gaston County’s infant mortality rate dropped in 2010, down to 8.1 deaths per 1,000 live births from 10.3 in 2009.
Flu Shots to Begin Oct. 3 at Health Department
The Gaston County Health Department will begin offering flu shots on Oct. 3.
Back to School Immunization Clinic Set for Sept. 10
Gaston County students are getting settled in their new classrooms, and the Gaston County Health Department wants to make sure their health is protected as they start the new school year.
Health Department, Animal Control Division to Host Free Drive-Through Rabies Clinic Sept. 17
Staff from the Gaston County Health Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line Saturday morning, Sept. 17. The event is sponsored by the Gaston Humane Society.
Health Department One of Five N.C. Agencies Chosen To Receive Home Visitation Grant
The Gaston County Health Department is one of five North Carolina public health agencies that will receive funding to implement maternal and early childhood home visitation programs.
National HIV Testing Day Events Scheduled in Gastonia
Approximately half of North Carolinians have not been tested for HIV, and the Gaston HIV Outreach Program (GHOP) is looking to make a dent in that number with two local free testing opportunities.
Reduced Price Rabies Vaccines Available at Most Local Vets April 18-30
Most local vets will be offering $8 rabies vaccines in their offices from April 18-30.
H1N1 Hotline to Close March 31
The Gaston County Health Department will cease operation of its H1N1 Hotline at the end of the month.