BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — As students return to school, Buncombe County health officials are warning families about record whooping cough cases, slipping immunization rates, and growing concern about measles spreading nationwide.
So far this year, Buncombe County has reported 82 confirmed cases of whooping cough. That’s more than the 77 cases identified in all of 2024 and far above the pre-pandemic average of just six a year.
Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director for Buncombe County Health and Human Services, said the county’s top concern is protecting infants…