Buncombe County is facing an outbreak of bacteria-related illness in the wake of Helene triggered by one type of microorganism that is far outpacing others and likely brought on by hand hygiene and food handling issues.
Since the storm, there have been 16 cases of gastrointestinal illness in Buncombe related to four common, powerful bacteria, according to North Carolina Health and Human Services data obtained by Asheville Watchdog. One in particular, campylobacter, caused 13 of the cases.
For the past five Octobers, the median number of campylobacter cases has been five. The 13 cases occurred between Oct. 1-19 alone, according to the data. Those include seven in the third week of the month.
“There has been an increase in campylobacter cases above baseline in Buncombe County in October,” the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Branch told Buncombe health officials in an Oct. 24 email summarizing its findings.
“Campylobacter typically is the most common reportable [gastrointestinal] illness in Buncombe County. Based on patient interviews that the [communicable disease] nurses have conducted, this increase does appear to be storm related with a variety of potential sources including deficiencies in appropriate hand hygiene, food handling, and/or cleaning of food preparation surfaces,” the NCDHHS notice said.
Buncombe had requested a report from NCDHHS following anecdotal evidence of an outbreak, according to the agency’s officials.
Five days after the NCDHHS report was sent, Buncombe County Health and Human Services Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore addressed the outbreak in a public briefing, ensuing news release, and email to local health care providers.
“Following a major flooding event like we experienced with Hurricane Helene, there is an increased risk of gastroenteritis,” Mullendore said.
Research shows a hurricane and flood often bring with it several waves of sickness and injury, as The Watchdog reported Oct. 11.
Gastroenteritis is an illness that involves the stomach and/or the intestines. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, headaches, muscle aches and fever. It can be caused by norovirus, hepatitis, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, shigella, giardia and campylobacter.
Why people are getting it is less clear, but there are a number of likely culprits.
Data tracked by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows occurances of bacteria infections since Oct. 1. // Screenshot of NCDHHS report
“The risk of gastroenteritis increases for a variety of reasons, including contact with sewage or water that has been contaminated with human or animal waste, decreased ability for appropriate hand hygiene and safe food handling practices, lack of consistent refrigeration due to power outages; flooding can also wash organisms from livestock into areas where fruits and vegetables are grown, contaminating the produce,” Mullendore said.
City of Asheville’s Water Resources lab staff is conducting daily testing throughout the damaged water distribution system for total coliform, E. coli and chlorine, the state noted in its report.
“E. coli and total coliform have not been detected in the distribution system,” according to the Oct. 24 email.
By Oct. 30, those bacteria were still absent from test results.
There were no E. coli cases in Buncombe County in October, according to the report.
Regardless of the source, health officials don’t know if the spike in cases is an anomaly or the beginning of a trend.
“It’s too early to know if this is the start of an increasing trend, a return to baseline, because these levels fluctuate routinely, or just a blip,” Mullendore said. “Epidemiologists at the state are continuing to monitor this data.”
‘Certainly unprecedented’
Systems to track diseases in North Carolina have existed for years, but Helene means experts are taking a more focused approach, keeping an eye on diseases that are more likely following a natural disaster.
“It’s definitely not business as usual,” state epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore told The Watchdog.
North Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore // Photo provided by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
“We’re looking at the syndromes, the infections, that we know are likely following a disaster. And I don’t know when it’s going to end … In terms of lack of access to basic services, this is certainly unprecedented in North Carolina. So, you know, we’re still worried.”
The state works closely with Buncombe County HHS to track disease outbreaks. According to Moore, the recent report was created because Buncombe told the state about reports of gastrointestinal cases. These cases are reported by local health care providers, including Mission Hospital, which has a dedicated epidemiologist.
This is the first report the state has generated for Buncombe and potentially one of many to come, Moore said. Without access to potable water, basic sanitation or stable living situations, the risks of infections will linger.
“People don’t have access to these things now and in some cases, in some locations, they’re not going to for a while,” Moore said.
Focused tracking of these diseases will remain intact for as long as the need exists, Moore said, noting if Buncombe needs more data and guidance in the future, “we’ll create it.”
How to minimize your risk
Buncombe issued this guidance for avoiding sickness Oct. 28:
Use safe water:
Use bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth.
If boiling: bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
If using bleach: add eight drops of bleach per gallon, wait 30 mins.
Avoid well water until disinfected and tested.
Practice hand hygiene:
Wash hands with soap and clean water, or use sanitizer (60% alcohol).
Key times: before eating or preparing food, after bathroom use, after animal contact.
Sanitize food prep areas:
Clean surfaces with soap and safe water.
Use bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per gallon of water) for sanitizing.
Follow food safety:
Discard unrefrigerated meat/dairy.
Cook food thoroughly and consume it hot.
Avoid raw foods unless you’ve peeled them yourself.
If sick with diarrhea:
Stay hydrated with safe water.
See a doctor if you experience severe symptoms (e.g., high fever, dehydration).
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Andrew R. Jones is a Watchdog investigative reporter. Email arjones@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s local reporting during this crisis is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-31 15:21:00
(The Center Square) – Wildfires continued to burn Monday in the Carolinas, though a sign of optimism arose with a burning ban lifted in 41 South Carolina counties and measured rainfall in both states.
Largest of the fires is Table Rock in Pickens and Greenville counties of South Carolina. The Black Cove fire is burning in North Carolina’s Polk and Henderson counties, the Rattlesnake fire is burning Haywood County, and the Alarka 5 fire is in Swain County.
South Carolina’s Horry County at the Atlantic Ocean and North Carolina border, and the northwestern counties of Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens and Oconee remain under a burning ban. In North Carolina, all 100 counties have a ban in effect.
The Table Rock fire size is about 13,191 acres in South Carolina and 574 in North Carolina, the Forestry Commission of the former said. Containment is about 30%.
The Persimmon Ridge fire is 2,078 acres in size with 64% containment. Rain Sunday into Monday measured nearly 1 inch.
The Covington Drive Fire in Myrtle Beach is about 85% contained and in mop-up and strengthened firebreaks stage.
In North Carolina, the Black Cove complex of fires are 7,672 acres in size. It includes the Black Cove (3,502 acres, 36% contained), Deep Woods (3,971 acres, 32% contained) and Fish Hook (199 acres, 100% contained) fires. Rainfall overnight into Monday helped the battle.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 12:56:00
(The Center Square) – Persistent dry and windy conditions, along with downed trees from Hurricane Helene six months ago, remain troublesome for wildfires in the Carolinas.
The Table Rock Fire, largest of several, has crossed from Pickens County in South Carolina to Transylvania County in North Carolina.
In an update from the South Carolina Forestry Commission on Thursday evening, the Tabe Rock fire grew significantly during the day and the Persimmon Ridge fire only modestly. The Table Rock fire is estimated 8,679 acres and the Persimmon Ridge fire 1,992 acres.
Three counties are home to four other significant size fires in the Tarheel State: Deep Woods and Black Cove in Polk County, Alarka in Swain County, and Rattlesnake Branch in Haywood County.
“Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene has created many challenges for firefighting efforts,” a release from the North Carolina Forest Service said Friday morning. “One factor is the loss of tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out.”
The Black Cove fire that originated March 19 is 3,288 acres in size and 17% contained, the Forest Service says. It is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in the Green River Gorge.
The Deep Woods fire, also a March 19 start, is 3,373 acres in size and 30% contained, the Forest Service says. It is about 5 miles northwest of Columbus in the Green River Gorge and the adjacent Holbert Cove community.
The Fish Hook fire that began March 20 is 199 acres in size and 95% contained, the Forest Service says. This fire is about 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring near Lake Adger.
Other fires of size are burning near Sylva and Leicester.
Burning bans are in effect throughout North and South Carolina.
SUMMARY: A wildfire in Western North Carolina has become the highest priority in the U.S. The Black Cove Complex fire near Saluda has burned over 6,500 acres, with over 500 firefighters working to contain it. Authorities warn residents in mountain communities, like Buncombe County, to prepare evacuation bags in case orders are issued. The fire has triggered statewide concerns, with varying levels of fire danger across the state. A statewide burn ban is in effect, and officials are hopeful that rain expected this weekend will help control the blaze. Aircraft are being used to drop water and fire retardant to assist firefighting efforts.
More firefighters are arriving in Western North Carolina now that the Fire Service says a fire burning there is now the highest priority in the U.S.
