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Health director urges review of animal-control and zoning ordinances; reports rabies case and ongoing vaccination efforts
Summary
Bladen County public health officials recommended updating the animal-control ordinance and asked the board to consider a zoning approach to limit vape shops near places children gather. Officials also reported a recent rabies case, influenza activity below regional averages and ongoing accreditation work.
Dr. Duncan of the Bladen County Health Department briefed the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16, asking the county to evaluate public-health ordinances and consider zoning changes to limit the placement of vape shops near childcare centers, playgrounds, churches and other places where children gather.
Duncan said the county’s animal-control board has recommended updating the animal-control ordinance and that county staff are preparing a draft. She told commissioners that other counties have recently tightened zoning distances for vape retailers from places frequented by minors and that a similar zoning ordinance could include grandfathering timelines for existing shops.
The health department also reported a recent rabies case that was investigated near the West Hester Street and Gooden Street intersection in Clarkton. No human cases were reported; the department issued a public notice and arranged additional vaccinations for affected domestic animals, Duncan said.
On communicable-disease tracking, the health department said influenza activity in the county was slightly below the regional rate as of mid‑to‑late November but cautioned that holiday gatherings and school schedules could push rates up. The department is offering flu vaccines without an appointment and asked residents to call ahead for COVID‑19 vaccinations to ensure availability.
Duncan and staff updated the board on several other public-health items: a peer-support specialist started work in local emergency-department settings under an HRSA grant extension to support treatment and recovery services; the department’s case-management programs for maternity and at-risk children have met thresholds that will allow an application for new Medicaid-related provider status after 2025; and accreditation submission deadlines were imminent, with staff preparing final documentation.
Board members asked for further evaluation and for staff to present draft ordinance language and implementation considerations if the board wants to pursue zoning changes for vape shops. No ordinance was adopted at the Dec. 16 meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with draft language and any municipal coordination needed for county-only jurisdiction.
