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Union County epidemiology update: rhinovirus high, measles outbreak largely out of state, no local H5N1 deaths reported
Summary
Epidemiology staff reported elevated rhinovirus/enterovirus activity, a national measles outbreak with no confirmed North Carolina cases, paused wastewater COVID surveillance, and tuberculosis treatment progress locally.
Megan (epidemiology staff) briefed the Consolidated Human Services Board on infectious‑disease trends, including high rhinovirus/enterovirus activity, the national measles outbreak and local tuberculosis treatment outcomes.
The nut graf: The update said common cold viruses (rhinovirus/enterovirus) are elevated nationally and locally, more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported across 31 states with no confirmed North Carolina cases, and local TB case management has reduced active cases from six completing therapy to two active cases in treatment.
Megan said rhinovirus and enterovirus activity remains high and typically peaks in mid‑May before decreasing through the summer. She noted that when global adenovirus activity rises, it can produce imported cases and local outbreaks; Union County surveillance had not identified domestic viral clusters requiring special measures.
On measles, Megan reported "over a thousand cases since the beginning of the year reported by 31 states," with the closest reports in Tennessee and Georgia; 96 percent of those infected were unvaccinated, 13 percent of reported cases were hospitalized (mostly children under age 5), and there have been three confirmed deaths nationally. At the time of the update there were no confirmed measles cases in North Carolina.
Megan also provided an H5N1 update, stating there were no additional human deaths and no significant changes in the national picture since the last report. On wastewater surveillance (PAWS), staff said the county paused that monitoring effort, which had been done in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to track SARS‑CoV‑2 levels.
On tuberculosis, Megan reported that six active cases completed therapy and the county had two active TB cases currently on treatment. For latent TB infection (LTBI) evaluations, staff noted some cases were classified "treatment not indicated" because prior evaluation showed patients already completed LTBI therapy.
Ending: Megan said the department is preparing toolkits and exercises for potential outbreak responses, continues immunization outreach (including back‑to‑school planning) and will keep partners engaged for rapid response if cases appear in the state or county.
