Duplin County health director reports first flu death, monitors nearby measles case; notes federal rural health funding

Dr. Tracy Simmons Kaniggy, director of the Duplin County Health Department, told the Consolidated Human Services Board on Jan. 5 that the county recorded its first influenza-related death — a 74-year-old resident — as influenza A cases that rose through December began to decline across Eastern North Carolina.

"For the month of December, we had seen a gradual increase in influenza A throughout Eastern North Carolina," Kaniggy said. "We have now started on a decline." She added, "Duplin County has had its first flu death. It's a 74 year old individual." The department said it will continue local monitoring and follow state guidance if trends change.

Kaniggy also reported a measles case reported Dec. 31 in Polk County involving an unvaccinated child, which she said is linked to a larger outbreak in the upper region of South Carolina. She said county staff will have follow-up calls with the state later in the week to review the situation and any implications for Duplin County's immunization outreach.

On financial and program oversight, Kaniggy told the board the health department's budget was in a sound position through Nov. 30, with roughly two-thirds of the annual budget remaining and no findings in a recent BSEP audit. She reminded commissioners that a women's, infants and community wellness audit is scheduled in March and that the department's accreditation site visit is set for Feb. 25; the department requested that at least two commissioners be available for that visit.

Kaniggy said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved North Carolina's application for the federal Rural Health Transformation program; she said the state is expected to receive about $213 million in the program's first year to support rural health system improvements across 85 rural counties, including Duplin County, and to bolster thousands of rural health facilities. The health director said more details on how funds will flow and local opportunities would be shared as the state provides guidance.

She noted staffing challenges: about 4–5 nonclinical vacancies (with interviews or contingent offers under way) and approximately three clinical positions attracting little to no applicant interest. When commissioners asked about local vaccination rates for measles, Kaniggy said she did not have county-level percentages on hand but would look into state and county immunization data and report back.

The Health Department also highlighted community work from late December: its annual Christmas food drive Dec. 23 served nearly 400 families, with county partners including the Eastern Central Food Bank, Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries, churches and local businesses.

Next steps: the health department will follow up with commissioners on local vaccination figures when available and will report additional details about state guidance for the Rural Health Transformation program as the state releases them.