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Wilkes Health reports 553 communicable‑disease incidents in 2025; pertussis and meningococcal cases noted
Summary
Wilkes County recorded 553 communicable‑disease incidents in 2025 (134 STDs and 148 other reportable diseases meeting case definitions); the department reported six pertussis cases, one meningococcal invasive disease case, and ongoing Hepatitis C treatment activity.
Wilkes County’s communicable disease team presented its 2025 annual report to the Board of Health on Feb. 9, reporting 553 incidents recorded for the county during 2025, of which 134 were sexually transmitted infections and 148 were other diseases that met case definitions. The report highlighted decreases in some commonly reported foodborne illnesses and in chlamydia counts compared with 2024, but it also flagged vaccine‑preventable and severe outcomes: nine influenza adult deaths and six pertussis cases (five among children), and one confirmed meningococcal invasive disease in a 14‑year‑old who received treatment and whose close contacts received prophylaxis.
Angela Wood, who presented the report, also described Hepatitis C treatment capacity at the clinic: 12 patients were started on treatment in 2025, seven completed treatment, three remain in treatment, and two were lost to follow‑up. The department reported 302 animal‑exposure reports leading to rabies follow‑up (up from 272 in 2024) and 56 animals sent to NC SLPH for testing, with nine animals testing positive. Environmental and epidemiology teams collaborated on outbreak responses for COVID, influenza and norovirus incidents during the year.
