Burke County Public Health reports declines in hepatitis A, wins WIC award and outlines inspection backlog recovery

Burke County Public Health reported sharp reductions in several communicable diseases, recognition for its WIC program and plans to address environmental‑health inspection backlogs.

Health Director Danny Scalise told commissioners that hepatitis A incidence in Burke County dropped from about 62 per 100,000 to effectively zero since he was hired, and that other sexually transmitted infections and overdose ED visits have trended down as well. He credited harm‑reduction efforts, expanded naloxone distribution and public education for the declines.

Scalise highlighted that the county’s WIC unit earned a USDA gold award and that WIC benefits returning to the community rose to about $1,800,000 from $1,300,000 in 2020. He also said the health department was named “health department of the year” by peers for innovative practices.

On environmental health, Scalise acknowledged the unit has fallen behind on some inspections because of retirements and hiring gaps but said the department has contracted experienced registered environmental health specialists to assist while new staff train. He said the department expects to be significantly caught up by the end of the fiscal year and that several new hires will be fully trained by spring.

"When I was hired, we were the worst county in the state for hepatitis A...Today, we stand as tied for with a number of counties the best in the state," Scalise said, and later added the county has seen fewer overdose ED visits and fewer overdose deaths since harm‑reduction work expanded.

The board accepted the health report; staff will continue to update the board on staffing, inspections and public‑health preparedness activities.