Per CDC: What to know Animals, including pets, can sometimes carry germs (like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi) that can make people sick. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals. Animals can appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the disease. The basics There are many diseases that can spread between animals and people. These diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bact

Per CDC: Key points West Nile virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe illness can affect the central nervous symptom and result in hospitalization or death. No licensed vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat West Nile virus disease (West Nile) in people. Symptoms Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. Mild illness S

Per CDC: Key points Tularemia is a potentially serious illness caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. People can become infected in several different ways, including tick and deer fly bites, and contact with infected animals (especially rodents, rabbits, and hares). Tularemia is a disease that can infect animals and people. Rabbits, hares, and rodents are especially susceptible and often die in large numbers during outbreaks. People can become infected in several way

Per CDC: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Signs and symptoms Early signs and symptoms are not specific to RMSF (including fever and headache). However, the disease can rapidly progress to a serious and life-threatening illness. Signs and symptoms can include: Fever Headache Rash Nausea or vomiting Stomach pain Muscle pain Lack of appetite When to seek medical care If you become ill after having been bitten

Per CDC Key points Symptoms of Q fever can be mild or severe. There is not a vaccine to prevent Q fever available for use in the United States. Your healthcare provider may order certain blood tests if you are suspected to have Q fever. Most people who have Q fever will recover without antibiotics, but for symptomatic patients, doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic for treatment of Q fever. Risk factors People with certain jobs are at increased risk for exposure to Coxiel

Per CDC: Key points Psittacosis is a disease caused by bacteria that often infect birds. People who have contact with pet birds and live poultry are at increased risk. Psittacosis is usually a mild illness, though it can cause pneumonia. Be safe when handling and cleaning birds and cages to help prevent this disease. Symptoms Most people begin developing signs and symptoms within 5 to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria. Less commonly, people report symptoms starting afte

Invoices for permits (2026-2027) have been mailed. To pay an invoice online, please utilizing our payment link or QR Code below. There is also a "Pay Invoice" option located on the homepage of our website. Health Department Payments Note: The Online Payment System will reference Berkeley County Health Department, however the system is utilized to process payments for Morgan County Health Department as well.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause cervical cancer. Early treatment can prevent or stop cancer. What is the HPV self-test? The HPV self-test is for women ages 30-65 years old that are eligible for HPV only testing. Your medical provider can do a pap test with a speculum, or you can do the HPV self-test to collect your own sample. The HPV self-test works just as well as when a provider performs the test. What happens after I do the self-test? Your test

Per CDC: Key points Plague is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis . Plague occurs naturally in areas of the western United States, where it circulates among wild rodents and other animals. Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but treatment must be given quickly. Overview Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis . Humans usually become infected through the bite of an i

Public Notice of Food Handlers Card Proposal Berkeley-Morgan County Board of Health 122 Waverly Court Martinsburg, WV 25403 For More Information, Contact: Cara N. Harding, R.S., Director Berkeley and Morgan County Health Departments Phone: 304-267-7130 ext. 8255 Fax: 304-263-8274 Email: charding@berkeleywv.org For Immediate Release: Food Handler Card Proposal Martinsburg, WV, January 26, 2026-- Please take notice that the Berkeley-Morgan County Board of Health, durin

Per CDC Key points New World screwworm (NWS) is a fly that lays its eggs in open wounds and body openings such as the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or genitals. NWS eggs hatch into parasitic maggots that burrow into and feed on living tissue or flesh. You are at higher risk for NWS if you live or travel to areas where NWS flies are found, spend a lot of time outside where flies are, and if you have an open wound. Symptoms Symptoms can include Feeling maggots (larvae) move or seein

Per CDC: Key points Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito. Most people get malaria from the bite of an infective mosquito. Malaria can be a deadly disease if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Starting treatment as soon as possible can often prevent severe illness and death. Causes and Risk Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. Anopheles mosquitoes are the type of mosquito that transmit malaria from one person to anoth

Location: Berkeley County Health Department & Virtual via Zoom Date/Time: April 20, 2026, at 4:00pm Call to Order/Opening Comments -Teresa McCabe Approval of Agenda Review/Acceptance of Minutes: March 2026 Departmental Reports: Epi Report – Robert Deener Nursing Report – Tanya Manley Environmental Report – Mickayla LaCour Threat Prep Report – Jennifer Schetrompf Administrator Report – Cara Harding Financial Report – Karen Young Health Officer Report – Dr. Kevin McLaughlin Pu

Per CDC: Key points Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to people through the bite of blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions of the United States. Signs and symptoms Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide rang

Per CDC Español Key points Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria. It affects people and animals. It's spread in the urine (pee) of infected animals. Leptospirosis risk often increases after a hurricane or flood when people have contact with contaminated water or soil. If you or your animals may have leptospirosis, see a healthcare provider. Exposure risks The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine (pee) of infected animals. The bacteria

P er CDC Español Key points Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death. These viruses cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). They are spread mainly by rodents and are not spread from person-to-person. Signs and symptoms Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. Symptoms of HPS usually start

Per CDC Key points Ehrlichiosis is the general name used to describe a group of diseases. Tick bites from the lone star tick and the blacklegged tick species spread the disease. In the United States, three species of bacteria lead to the disease. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for people of all ages with ehrlichiosis. People with ehrlichiosis will often have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes upset stomach. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for

Per CDC: What to know Classic CJD is an always-fatal, usually fast-moving disease that occurs worldwide. It affects the brain and causes dementia and other problems, mostly in older adults. There is no treatment or cure. Types: There are three main types of CJD infection: Sporadic The vast majority of all CJD cases reported (about 85%) are called sporadic. These types of cases occur when prion proteins already in the body misfold for reasons that aren't fully understood. This

March 24th, 2026 Berkeley County (WV) Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for the Back Creek Valley area of Hedgesville. The WV Office of Laboratory Services notified us on March 24 th of a positive test result for the rabies virus from a raccoon in the above area. It was submitted to them by the Berkeley County Health Department. If you think that you or someone else may have come into contact with this animal, please call the Berkeley County Health Departmen

Per CDC Key points Chronic wasting disease affects deer, elk, moose, and similar animals in the United States and a few other countries. The disease hasn't been shown to infect people. Scientists continue to study whether having contact with or eating meat from infected animals could affect people. Signs and symptoms in Animal CWD can infect farmed and free-range deer and elk of all ages. It may take months to years before an infected animal shows symptoms, which may include: