Orange County Health Department, NC

10/30/2026

Does your Halloween celebration involve indulging in a spooky cocktail or ghostly potion? 🍷🍸🍺 Leave the keys behind and designate a sober driver. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

10/30/2026

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Before the costumes come out and the candy bags fill up, remember two things: Safe streets: Stay visible, use crosswalks and keep an eye out for passing cars 🚸 Safe treats: Check candy packaging and labels, and make sure adult edibles are stored safely away from children 🍬 More safety tips: https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2026/10/20/sweet-treats-safe-streets-halloween-candy-pedestrian-safety-tips

10/30/2026

Orange County Health Department (OCHD) issued a press release earlier today to urge community members to protect themselves during respiratory virus season. “Don't wait to get vaccinated. Flu is already circulating in our communities. Get your shot to protect yourself as well as your loved ones.” said Erica Pettigrew, MD, JD, MPH, OCHD Medical Director. During the October 2026 Orange County Board of Health meeting earlier this week, Interim Health Director, Dorothy Cilenti, DrPH, MPH, MSW, and Board of Health members received seasonal flu vaccine to set an example and show the importance of vaccinations.

Link to full press release: https://www.orangecountync.gov/3990/Orange-County-Health-Department-Urges-Co

If you would like to make an appointment for vaccines or other services with OCHD, please call 919-245-2400.

Pictured left to right: Dorothy Cilenti, DrPH, MPH, MSW; Davia Nickelson, DDS; Laura Villa Torres, PhD, MSPH; Mike DeFranco, MPH, BSN, RN, (vaccinator); and Tony Whitaker, PE, board chair.

10/29/2026

Ghouls and goblins may be terrifying, but HIV prevention doesn’t have to be!

has been around for 10+ years and is safe. With daily pills or shots every 2 months, you can PrEP your way. Orange County Health Department offers PrEP services, to schedule an appointment, please call 919-245-2400

Learn more: cdc.gov/HIVPrEP

10/29/2026

On Sunday, daylight saving time ends and we'll be turning our clocks back. A good way to remember to test your smoke alarms at least twice a year is to check them when changing your clocks. Taking simple preventative actions can protect you and your family! ready.gov/home-fires

Remember to sign up for alerts from Orange County Emergency Services. To sign up for Orange County NC alerts: https://www.orangecountync.gov/650/Disaster-Emergency-Preparedness

10/29/2026

Dr. Nickelson is one of the members of our Orange County Board of Health, which serves as the policy-making, rule-making, and adjudicatory body for public health here in Orange County.

For more information on the OC Board of Health, check out this website: https://www.orangecountync.gov/241/Board-of-Health

Each week we will be highlighting one of the incredible Orange County residents featured in our current special exhibit "United We Stand." This week we are highlighting Dr. Davia Nickelson, dentist.

Dr. Davia Nickelson’s warm, friendly smile is the perfect introduction; it puts her patients at ease and reassures them that they are in good hands at Complete Smiles of Hillsborough. Her immense success in this endeavor is reflected through her being named the 2025 Outstanding Young Dentist by the North Carolina Dental Society.

Nickelson knew from an early age that she wanted to be a dentist. Growing up in the “country nook” of Stoneville, she was “always being a little chemist.” After shadowing her dentist when she was in the 9th grade, her career path was determined. To prepare, Nickelson pursued her undergraduate studies at Elizabeth City State University, earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then attended UNC’s School of Dentistry, where she earned Doctorate of Dental Surgery. At UNC, she and 3 classmates established a free dental program in conjunction with the CAARE clinic in Durham. She continues to serve as an advisor to it.

Nickelson further enhanced her expertise by completing a General Practice Residency at UNC Hospitals. She then began working in Prospect Hill and would often drive through Hillsborough. Since dental contracts typically cover 4 days each week, she began working in Hillsborough 1 day a week, and eventually decided to settle in the town. A practice became available, and she purchased it in 2025, naming the business Complete Smiles to emphasize that she offered a wide array of services and that “patients could leave feeling like everything had been taken care of.”

To learn more about Dr. Nickelson and the other individuals featured in this exhibit, please visit the museum to view the "United We Stand Exhibit" and make sure to pick up a free exhibit catalogue.
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10/29/2026

Sweet Treats, Safe Streets! 🎃 Halloween is almost here! Before heading out for trick-or-treating, keep these simple safety tips in mind: Stay visible. Use flashlights and reflective clothing, stick to sidewalks and crosswalks, and stay alert around traffic. Check those treats. Look for unusual packaging, damaged wrappers or labels indicating THC, cannabis or other intoxicating substances. If a child may have eaten an edible, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Learn more: https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2026/10/20/sweet-treats-safe-streets-halloween-candy-pedestrian-safety-tips

10/28/2026

Orange County Health Department (OCHD) announces receipt of grant funds to develop North Carolina’s first Rapid Environmental Health Strike Team to provide environmental health support during disaster situations. The Strike Team will strengthen OCHD’s ability to rapidly deploy Environmental Health resources, equipment, and expertise during disasters and other emergency situations. This capacity will support response within Orange County and provide opportunities for regional response.

OCHD’s Environmental Health Division is responsible for protecting water, food, shelter, sanitation, and air quality. Disaster conditions increase the difficulties of these legislatively mandated responsibilities. During disasters, OCHD’s Environmental Health Division may be called upon to assess drinking water and wastewater concerns, food safety, shelter conditions, sanitation, debris and environmental hazards, and other conditions that can affect public health.

OCHD received $28,100 in grant funds through the Strategic Initiatives Fund of the North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies (NCAPHA). The funds have been used to purchase a trailer and equipment to help support mobile operations. The mobile unit will allow Environmental Health staff to bring essential equipment and supplies directly into affected areas, supporting field assessments and response operations when traditional facilities or infrastructure are unavailable.

“Orange County is grateful for the receipt of these high impact grant funds that will aid OCHD in responding to local and regional disaster situations and assure environmental public health in affected areas, which ultimately influences the public health of communities,” said Interim Orange County Health Director Dorothy Cilenti, DrPH, MPH, MSW.

For more information about Orange County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/641/Environmental-Health. Please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/650/Disaster-Emergency-Preparedness to learn more about disaster preparedness in Orange County, including information on signing up for OC Alerts to get local emergency messages and on creating an emergency supply kit and family disaster plan.

10/28/2026

🎃Halloween is coming, and so is the candy. 🍬 Help your kids protect their teeth 🦷 by teaching them the right brushing technique. Pick a favorite 2-minute song and brush until it ends (singing 'Happy Birthday' twice works too!). Make it a fun routine and their teeth will stay healthy even after Halloween treats. Orange County Health Department's Dental Clinic may be reached at 919-245-2435 or online at https://www.orangecountync.gov/818/Dental-Clinic.