Buncombe County public health reports measles cases and outbreaks of chickenpox and whooping cough; urges vaccinations
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Summary
Buncombe County Public Health on Jan. 6 confirmed three measles cases in one household, reported a varicella outbreak (89 cases) and a pertussis outbreak affecting two school districts (25 cases), and urged residents to check immunization status and call 828-250-6100 if they visited Mission Hospital during the exposure window.
Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Mathison told the county board on Jan. 6 that the county is managing three confirmed measles cases in a single household while also responding to countywide outbreaks of varicella (chickenpox) and pertussis (whooping cough).
"Currently, we have a community outbreak of varicella ... there have been 89 cases of varicella in Buncombe County residents," Mathison said, and added that the county has recorded 25 pertussis cases across two school districts. She announced three confirmed measles cases and said "people who visited Mission Hospital emergency department waiting room ... on January 4, 2026, between the hours of 2AM and 06:30AM might have been exposed to measles." County staff are conducting case investigations and contact tracing in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Mission Hospital.
Mathison reminded the public that the MMR vaccine is given in two doses (typically at about 12 months and before school entry), noting that two doses provide about 97% protection. She said older adults born before 1957 are generally assumed to be immune because most were exposed before the vaccine era, but that adults in high-risk settings (for example, health care workers) may need different guidance. "As a nurse and a mother and your public health director, I urge you to act today to protect yourself and others," she said.
The director asked anyone who thinks they were exposed during the Jan. 4 exposure window at Mission Hospital to call Buncombe County Public Health at (828) 250-6100 to assess risk and connect with a communicable-disease nurse. Mathison cautioned that people with symptoms should first call their medical provider, urgent care, or emergency department rather than showing up unannounced, to reduce the risk of further spread.
Commissioners asked about school exclusion protocols and vaccine schedules; Mathison said health staff are coordinating with both county school systems to communicate exclusions, review immunization records, and supply clear guidance to families as needed. The county emphasized routine vaccinations as the best available prevention for measles, chickenpox and pertussis.
Buncombe County Public Health said laboratory testing is not recommended for exposed people unless they develop measles symptoms (fever and rash). The department continues contact tracing and urged residents who are not up to date on vaccines to consult their medical provider or the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic.
