Noroviruses are very contagious. The virus is present in the stools and vomit of sick people during illness and for a few days after they recover. People can get sick through direct contact with a person who has the virus, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus. Noroviruses cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in food.

“Noroviruses are tough to kill”, said Dr. Megan Davies, State Epidemiologist. “The most important way to prevent spread is thorough hand- washing using soap and water. Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.”

The symptoms of norovirus illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some people may also have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness lasts for about 1 or 2 days. However, some – especially young children and the elderly – can quickly get dehydrated and might require medical care or even hospitalization. There are no specific medications to treat norovirus.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Follow these simple measures:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizer gels are not effective against norovirus.

· Clean up vomit and diarrhea immediately.

· Stay home when sick.

· Do not prepare food when sick and for at least 48 hours afterward.

Many commonly used disinfectants are not effective against norovirus. Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution is recommended to disinfect surfaces after an episode of illness.

For more information about norovirus, see the Division of Public Health Web site at www.ncpublichealth.com. More detailed information about cleanup in private homes and in other settings can be found on the Division of Environmental Health Web site at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/d fp_fooddefense- epidemiology.htm.
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time Begins When: Sunday, Mar 14, 2010

Friday Night Bluegrass featuring True Grass

When:Fri, March 19, 7pm – 8pm Where:Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 in advance, $7 at the door

Meeting: Planning Board/Board of Adjustments

When:Mon, May 3, 7pm – 8pm Where:Council Chamber; City of Asheboro Municipal Building

Meeting: Redevelopment Commission

When:Mon, May 3, 9am – 10am Where:Council Chamber; City of Asheboro Municipal

Antique tractors wanted for 2010 Got to Be NC Festival

RALEIGH — Registration is now open for the antique tractor and farm equipment display at the 2010 Got to Be NC Festival. The annual event will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 21-23.

Antique tractor clubs, collectors and restorers can register their antique farm equipment for free at www.ncagfest.com. Participants are encouraged to complete an application early, and registration is required. Last year, more than 500 antique tractors were on display from owners in North Carolina and surrounding states. In all, the three-day festival showcased more than 1,000 pieces of farm equipment.

The Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will feature a carnival, live music, food and wine expo, tractor pulls, draft horse pulls, classic cars, Harley- Davidson motorcycles, lawnmower racing and a barbecue cook-off.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight May 21 and 22, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 23. Admission and parking for the festival are free. There is a fee for grandstand events.

Other free events at the fairgrounds that weekend include the Raleigh Health and Fitness Expo, the Choplin Marine Boat Show, Wake County 4-H Horse Show, Fiber Fest and the State Fairgrounds Flea Market.

For more information about the Got to Be NC Festival, including a full schedule of events.
NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long,
Director
Mailing Address:1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Phone: (919) 733-4216; FAX: (919) 733-5047

Farmers' Market
When :Sat, April 3, 7am – 1pm Where :134 S. Church Street, Asheboro
Enjoy fresh, local produce and products every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. - 1p.m. between April 3 - October 30, 2010.

Meeting: Planning Board/Board of Adjustments

When: Mon, August 2, 2010, 7pm – 8pm
Where: Council Chamber; City of Asheboro Municipal Building

Meeting: Redevelopment Commission

Meeting: Redevelopment Commission
When: Mon, August 2, 2010, 9am – 10am
Where: Council Chamber; City of Asheboro Municipal Building

Meeting: City Council

When: Thu, August 5, 2010, 7pm – 9pm
Where: Council Chambers; City of Asheboro Municipal Building

College Students Urged to Get H1N1 Vaccination

RALEIGH — State Health Director Jeffrey Engel strongly urges young adults, including college students and teens, to get their H1N1 vaccinations before returning to campus from the winter break. According to statistics gathered by the N.C. Division of Public Health, people of college age are the least likely to be immunized against H1N1.

More than 495,000 students are enrolled in colleges in North Carolina. Vaccination efforts to date have reached just over 60,000 people between 19 years old and 24 years old statewide. Campus immunization campaigns appear to have reached just a fraction of that number. The latest estimates indicate that fewer than 13 percent of the H1N1 vaccine doses provided by the state went to traditional college- age students.

“Our young people are our greatest resource, and we want to make sure they remain healthy,” Dr. Engel said. “The holidays are a perfect time for parents to ensure that their teens and college students are vaccinated against H1N1.”

As of Dec. 15, North Carolina had reported 76 deaths from H1N1. While pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and young children are most at risk for complications, this strain of flu has had a disproportionate impact on young, healthy people.

“We have good supplies of H1N1 vaccine on hand,” Engel said. “The peak of seasonal flu is approaching in late January. Getting both vaccinations now is the best way to protect yourself and your family against both seasonal and the H1N1 virus.”

For updated information on vaccination clinics near you, visit flu.nc.gov.

N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH OFFICIALS encourage RESIDENTS to ‘fight the bite!’

Raleigh – State environmental and public health officials are reminding all North Carolinians that warmer weather and rain bring mosquitoes and ticks, which carry dangerous diseases.

All North Carolinians are urged to take simple steps to prevent the threat of biting insects and reduce insect breeding conditions around the home.

“Spring rains and warmer weather provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and ticks,” said State Health Director Jeff Engel. “Ticks and mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can also make people seriously ill. Now is the time to fight the bite!”

Nolan Newton, chief of the Public Health Pest Management Section of the Division of Environmental Health, said that people can take steps to prevent illness.

“You can make your backyard a lot less tick-friendly,” Newton said. “Keep grass short and remove plants that attract wild animals like deer and rodents, which carry ticks.”

Newton said that removing any containers that hold water will take away mosquito breeding grounds.

“Take a good look at your environment now, before the mosquitoes really start biting,” he added. “Things like bird baths, old tires, planters and even small containers like tin cans can give mosquitoes a place to thrive.”

Newton added that people should remember to make sure they tightly secure screens on all openings on rain barrels used for water conservation. A window screen makes an excellent screening mechanism on rain barrels to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while allowing you to continue your conservation efforts.

Engel and Newton said that insect repellent also can be useful, particularly against mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellents against mosquitoes – DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years old. Repellents containing permethrin provide excellent protection against ticks but may only be used on clothing. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients, and should read and follow all label instructions.

Exposure to both mosquitoes and ticks can be limited by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. People should also check themselves and their families for ticks when they are in tick-prone areas.

Proper and prompt removal of ticks is the key to preventing infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks, getting as far forward near the head as possible and pulling steadily. Note the day you removed the tick on a calendar. If you become ill in the next three weeks, be sure to tell your physician the date you removed the tick.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common tick- borne illness in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Division of Public Health, 515 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever were reported in North Carolina in 2008. The state also has other tick-borne illnesses. Last year, North Carolina had 59 reported cases of Lyme disease and 41 reported cases of ehrlichiosis. Tick- borne diseases occur statewide.

La Crosse virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness. La Crosse virus is found mostly in western North Carolina. Two other mosquito-borne diseases, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, are also found in North Carolina. While Eastern equine encephalitis is found largely in the eastern part of the state, West Nile virus is found statewide.

For additional information on mosquitoes and ticks, visit the following Web sites: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm, www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbov irus and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/tick.

N.C. Public Health receives funds for worksite wellness and tobacco cessation

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $5.4 million to North Carolina to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking — the four most important actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.

Making North Carolina a healthier state is a priority for Gov. Bev Perdue, in terms of both quality of life and from a statewide economic standpoint.

“Having healthy, well- educated people will lower health care costs, increase productivity, and provide the best workforce in the country,” said Gov. Perdue. “All of those things are the best incentives to attract new and relocating businesses to North Carolina,” Perdue said.

The award to North Carolina is part of $119.5 million going to the states as the first of several initiatives that make up the comprehensive prevention and wellness initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

North Carolina will be allotted $3.8 million over two years to reduce and prevent obesity across the state by improving opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods. Another $1.6 million is to be used for the N.C. Quitline telephone service, tobacco use prevention, and other programs to help people quit tobacco.

A focus of the funding is creating sustainable changes in work and community environments to support healthy lifestyles. North Carolina’s efforts will involve many public and private partners at the state and local levels. A statewide worksite wellness initiative will encourage employers to make sustainable changes, such as establishing employee wellness policies to support healthy behaviors. Wellness experts from the public and private sectors will be part of a statewide Worksite Wellness Collaborative that promotes best practices and supports North Carolina employers in implementing comprehensive wellness programs.

The grants couldn’t have come at a more critical time. In North Carolina, more than half of all deaths occur earlier than expected. Many of these premature deaths are related to chronic diseases that can be prevented or managed through physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use and exposure.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in North Carolina. An estimated 13,000 North Carolinians ages 35 years or older die each year from smoking-related causes. Poor nutrition and lack of adequate physical activity comprise the second leading preventable cause of death in the state. Two-thirds of North Carolina adults and one-third of our children are overweight or obese, putting them at increased risk of illness and death from coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and several forms of cancer.

“Poor eating habits and inactive lifestyles are at the root of so many of our health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer – even arthritis and injuries,” said State Health Director Jeff Engel, MD. “These problems are largely preventable. We as a state must make it easier for people to eat smart and move more. The ARRA grants will allow North Carolina to continue its momentum in addressing tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and reducing obesity.”
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

Open Mobiles in Randolph County:

March 13, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
First Christian Baptist Church
Randleman 326 W. Academy St.,
Randleman, NC

March 15, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Asheboro Friends Meeting
Asheboro 230 E. Kivett St.,
Asheboro, NC

March 16, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Baileys Grove Baptist Church
Asheboro 1556 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

March 18, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

March 21, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
Hopewell United Methodist
4520 Hopewell Church Road,
Trinity, NC

March 26, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Asheboro HS
Asheboro 1221 S. Park St.,
Asheboro, NC

March 30, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Eastern Randolph HS
Ramseur 390 Eastern Randolph Rd.,
Ramseur, NC

April 01, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Commonweatlh Hosiery
Randleman 4964 Island Ford Rd.,
Randleman, NC

April 01, 2010 2:30 PM- 6:30 PM
Southeast Randolph MS
Ramseur 5302 Foushee Rd.,
Ramseur, NC

April 09, 2010 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
High Pine Wesleyan Ch
Asheboro 4492 High Pine Ch. Rd.,
Asheboro, NC

April 10, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Union Grove Baptist Church
Seagrove 7912 Union Grove Ch. Rd.,
Seagrove, NC

April 11, 2010 1:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Mt. Gilead UMC
Sophia 4736 Mt. Gilead Ch. Rd.,
Sophia, NC

April 13, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Cmnty Coll
Asheboro 629 Industrial Park Dr.,
Asheboro, NC

April 15, 2010 2:30 PM- 6:30 PM
Tabernacle Elementary School
4901 Tabernacle School Road,
Asheboro, NC

April 17, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

April 17, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1109 McDowell Road,
Asheboro, NC

April 23, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Flag Springs United Meth Ch
Asheboro 5852 Zoo Parkway,
Asheboro, NC

April 23, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
West Asheboro Baptist Church
831 Uwharrie St.,
Asheboro, NC

April 27, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Randleman HS
Randleman 4396 Tiger Den Rd.,
Randleman, NC

April 28, 2010 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Colonial Baptist Church
Trinity 6792 Welborn Road,
Trinity, NC

May 02, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Marlboro Friends Family Life Center
2668 Marlboro Ch. Rd.,
Sophia, NC

May 03, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Central Carolina Cmnty Ch
Asheboro 1128 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

May 04, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
North Carolina Zoo Education Center
Asheboro 4401 Zoo Parkway,
Asheboro, NC

May 12, 2010 11:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Klaussner Furniture
Asheboro 405 Lewallen St.,
Asheboro, NC

May 13, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First Presbyterian Ch
Asheboro 420 W. Walker Ave.,
Asheboro, NC

May 16, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Shiloh United Methodist Church
Liberty 7394 Shiloh Ch. Rd.,
Liberty, NC

May 18, 2010 8:00 AM- 12:30 PM
Elastic Therapy
Asheboro 718 Industrial Park Ave.,
Asheboro, NC

May 20, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

May 22, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Randleman Community Center
144 W. Academy St.,
Randleman, NC

May 22, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
St. Mary's United Methodist Church
5583 Rockford Drive,
Trinity, NC

May 26, 2010 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Ramseur Fire Dept
Ramseur 471 Coleridge Rd.,
Ramseur, NC

May 27, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
146 S Fayetteville St,
Liberty, NC

June 04, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Walmart
1132- Asheboro 1226 E. Dixie Dr.,
Asheboro, NC

June 06, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting
Trinity 3673 Hoover Hill Rd.,
Trinity, NC

June 07, 2010 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Hopewell Friends Meeting
Asheboro 2244 Hopewell Friends Rd.,
Asheboro, NC

June 09, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Commonweatlh Hosiery
Randleman 4964 Island Ford Rd.,
Randleman, NC

June 18, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Hospital
Asheboro 364 White Oak St.,
Asheboro, NC

June 19, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

June 27, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Cedar Grove Bapt Ch
Asheboro 3012 Old NC Hwy 49,
Asheboro, NC

July 08, 2010 2:00 PM- 7:00 PM
Central UMC
Asheboro 300 S. Main St.,
Asheboro, NC

July 14, 2010 11:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Insurance Associates of the Triad
Asheboro #1 Coxborough, 350 N. Cox St.,
Asheboro, NC

July 15, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

July 24, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Randleman Community Center
144 W. Academy St.,
Randleman, NC

July 26, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
St Joseph Catholic Ch.
Asheboro 512 W. Wainman Ave.,
Asheboro, NC

July 29, 2010 2:30 PM- 7:00 PM
Park Crossroads Christian Ch
Ramseur 2057 Parks Crossroads Ch. Rd.,
Ramseur, NC

August 05, 2010 11:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Klaussner Furniture
Asheboro 405 Lewallen St.,
Asheboro, NC

August 16, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Asheboro Friends Meeting
Asheboro 230 E. Kivett St.,
Asheboro, NC

August 17, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Randolph Cnty Government
Asheboro 725 McDowell Rd.,
Asheboro, NC

August 21, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

August 24, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
St. Johns Lutheran Ch
Asheboro 505 S. Park St.,
Asheboro, NC

August 28, 2010 8:30 AM- 6:30 PM
American Legion Post #81
Liberty 604 S. Greensboro St.,
Liberty, NC

August 29, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
Hopewell United Methodist
4520 Hopewell Church Road,
Trinity, NC

September 04, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
First Christian Baptist Church

Randleman 326 W. Academy St.,
Randleman, NC

September 07, 2010 9:30 AM- 2:00 PM
North Carolina Zoo
Education Center
Asheboro 4401 Zoo Parkway,
Asheboro, NC

September 14, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Cmnty Coll
Asheboro 629 Industrial Park Dr.,
Asheboro, NC

September 16, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

September 28, 2010 2:00 PM- 7:00 PM
First Baptist Church
Asheboro 133 N. Church St.,
Asheboro, NC

October 05, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Eastern Randolph HS
Ramseur 390 Eastern Randolph Rd.,
Ramseur, NC

October 07, 2010 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Randleman HS
Randleman 4396 Tiger Den Rd.,
Randleman, NC

October 16, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

October 23, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
First UMC
123 N. Fayetteville Street,
Liberty, NC

November 16, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Cmnty Coll
Asheboro 629 Industrial Park Dr.,
Asheboro, NC

November 18, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

November 18, 2010 8:15 AM- 12:45 PM
Trinity High School
5746 Trinity High School Road,
Trinity, NC

November 22, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Southwestern Randolph HS
Asheboro 1641 Hopewell Friends Rd.,
Asheboro, NC

December 03, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Hospital
Asheboro 364 White Oak St.,
Asheboro, NC

December 11, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

January 20, 2011 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
First UMC
Asheboro 224 N. Fayetteville St.,
Asheboro, NC

February 01, 2011 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Randolph Cmnty Coll
Asheboro 629 Industrial Park Dr.,
Asheboro, NC

February 12, 2011 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Level Cross UMC
10142 US 220 Bus.,
Randleman, NC

February 22, 2011 8:15 AM- 1:45 PM
Trinity High School
5746 Trinity High School Road,
Trinity, NC

March 07, 2011 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Southwestern Randolph HS
Asheboro 1641 Hopewell Friends Rd.,
Asheboro, NC