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Caldwell County reports declines in several STIs, details TB case and supplement-linked illnesses
Summary
Health staff reported early-2026 declines in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, no congenital syphilis cases so far this year, a tuberculosis suspect requiring extended treatment, and two cases tied to a moringa supplement investigation reported to CDC/state/FDA.
Chad Barr, presenting the communicable-disease midyear update for the Caldwell County Health Department, told the board the county has seen an overall decline in several sexually transmitted infections so far in 2026 but is monitoring other seasonal and investigation-driven issues.
"Chlamydia, gonorrhea reached its lowest levels, so far this year that we've seen in 5 years," Barr said, adding that syphilis "continues to decline" and noting there have been no congenital syphilis cases in 2026.
Barr said seasonal patterns show declines in some respiratory illnesses as the weather warms, with corresponding increases in foodborne and waterborne illnesses and tick-borne disease; he identified ehrlichiosis as the county's most common tick-borne illness at this time of year.
He also described a multiagency investigation in April involving two individuals affected by a recall of moringa leaf supplements: "We were notified by the CDC that, Kowa County was involved in an investigation of 2 individuals that were involved in the recall of the moringa leaf supplements," Barr said. (The county name was stated on the record as spoken by the presenter in the transcript.)
Barr briefed the board on a tuberculosis suspect first reported to the health department on April 6. The patient began four-drug treatment in the hospital, was discharged into health-department care for directly observed therapy, and will complete an extended treatment course: "the treatment will be extended for a total of 9 months, instead of the 6 month treatment," Barr said, and he reported the patient was clinically doing well as the case moved to the continuation phase under state consultant oversight (Dr. Picton).
Barr said working with state epidemiologists, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration was informative for local investigations and can help identify exposure sources in outbreaks. He invited questions from board members on the midyear trends and ongoing investigations.
The department will continue routine surveillance and coordination with state and federal partners on outbreak investigations and TB treatment follow-up.
