COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance


Monongalia County Health Department
The mission of Monongalia County Health Department is to
protect our community, prevent disease and promote healthy living.
Clinical
Services
(304) 598-5119
MCHD
Dentistry
(304) 598-5108
MCHD Environmental
(304) 598-5131
Threat
Preparedness
(304) 598-5154
WIC
Program
(304) 598-5181

Should I be concerned about COVID-19?

People with legitimate concerns about the possibility of having COVID-19 — click here to read CDC guidance — should not walk into a health department, hospital emergency department, urgent care or other health care facility to seek testing or treatment.
Instead, they should call one of the following two numbers to set up a time, location and protocol to be evaluated: WVU Medical Access and Referral System (MARS) line at 304-598-6000 and Mon Health System at 304-285-3798.
MCHD After-Hours Emergency Contact Information
To notify MCHD of a reportable disease that requires immediate notification, please call 304-680-4357. Here is a link ​listing additional resources. ​
This is an emergency number. For general inquiries, call MCHD at 304-598-5100 during weekday hours or message us on Facebook at any time.
LATEST NEWS
Sources for current coronavirus info
Posted Feb. 26, 2020

CDC officials are saying COVID-19 is expected to continue impacting the United States. The CDC and Monongalia County Health Department are good sources of correct and timely information about this disease. MCHD is busy reviewing and updating emergency plans should they be needed. To keep up to date with this evolving situation, "like" and follow us on social media @wvmchd on Facebook and Twitter and at wvmchd on Instagram for updates, in addition to the CDC website.
Give Kids a Smile to be held on Feb. 7
Posted Jan. 21, 2020

MCHD Dentistry will once again participate in Give Kids a Smile, an American Dental Association event that provides dental care to children 18 and young who don't have dental insurance. On Feb. 7, patients will receive a cleaning, a checkup and possibly restorative care, as well as oral health education. This will be the 10th year that MCHD Dentistry has provided this care for the community. Call MCHD Dentistry at 304-598-5108 for an appointment. Read more... 
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Pool operator class on March 11-12
Posted Dec. 4, 2019

A certified pool operator class will be held on March 11 and 12 at Monongalia County Health Department, taught by certified instructor Richard McCord, a registered sanitarian at MCHD Environmental. Call Richard at 304-598-5137 to reserve a spot in the class. Read more...
ORB baits distributed in Morgantown 
Posted Oct. 25, 2019

MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians distributed Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) baits throughout Morgantown in grassy areas such as parks, woods and rail-trails in early September. Red areas of the map (right) illustrate distribution patterns as detected by an electronic clicking system that was utilized for each bait that was tossed out. MCHD purchased the ORV baits to complement the USDA APHIS program that dropped ORV baits in rural areas of Monongalia County via airplane, in response to the high number of rabies cases in Monongalia County in 2019. There were 14 cases of rabies in raccoons, as well as a cat that attacked two individuals just before the baiting began. 
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Breastfeeding walk slated for Aug. 7
Posted July 26, 2019

The 12th annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at WVU Erickson Alumni Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Events include a Diaper Derby at 5 p.m., the Breastfeeding Awareness Walk at 5:30 p.m. around the grounds of the Erickson Alumni Center,  and refreshments at 6 p.m. There also will be a Daddy Olympics and drawings for prizes that include a car seat, jogging strollers, a breast pump and more. Mascots Monti Bear and Cooper the Bear will be there to take photos and interact with kids. The public is invited to attend and show support to breastfeeding families. Sponsors include MCHD WIC, Mon Health Medical Center, WVU Medicine Children's, Cardinal Pediatrics and the West Virginia Healthy Start/HAPI Project. 

Get free mosquito dunks at MCHD
Posted June 19

It's almost officially summer and the mosquitoes are already out. Mosquitoes can carry several diseases, including West Nile Virus, so avoiding them is recommended. One way to do that is to use Mosquito Dunks in any standing water that you can't get rid of. To get a free package, swing by MCHD Environmental Health on the upper level of the building. 
Read more...
Another rabid raccoon found in area
Posted May 24, 2019

A raccoon that got into a fight with a family dog in Monongalia County on Monday has tested positive for rabies. This is the 10th rabies-positive raccoon that has been found in Monongalia County. Pets should be up to date on their rabies vaccines and they should be monitored and, if possible, kept on a leash when outdoors. Read more...
MCHD rabies vaccine clinic held May 4
Posted April 18, 2019

Monongalia County Health Department will hold a rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 4, in the upper level of MCHD. Vaccines will be given by Dr. Jean Meade of Cheat Lake Animal Hospital. Cost of the vaccine is $10 cash. The clinic is being held because of the high number of rabid raccoons found in Monongalia County so far in 2019—eight.
Poster well-received at conference
Posted April 8, 2019

MCHD's Threat Preparedness team—coordinator Joe Klass and program manager Jamie Moore—just returned from the Preparedness Summit in St. Louis, where their poster, entitled "Building Radiation Response in a Community Collaborative Approach, was well-received. To see a close-up of the poster, check out our Facebook or Twitter pages @WVMCHD.
Radon tests available from MCHD
Posted Jan. 24, 2020

Did you know that Monongalia County is in the red zone? One in five homes here test with high levels of radon, compared to 1 in 15 nationally. MCHD Environmental Health can come to your home and conduct a test. A device will be left at your home for two days. It generates a report. If your radon levels are high, renovations that mitigate the radon cost an average of $1,500. To make an appointment, call 304-598-5131. Click here to see a video about radon. More info...

Rabid kitten bites vet employees
Posted Dec. 31, 2019

A kitten found downtown near Willey Street last week and taken to an area veterinary clinic bit vet employees and was later found to have rabies. People are urged to avoid interacting with strange animals, and if you are bitten or scratched by an animal, seek treatment at a hospital emergency department. Also, spay or neuter your pets and vaccinate them for rabies. It's the law. Monongalia County will close out 2019 with 20 confirmed cases of rabies in raccoons and stray cats. Read more... 

Healthy Smiles Day to be held Nov. 27
Posted Nov. 7, 2019

Adults 18 years and older can get a free cleaning and checkup during Healthy Smiles Day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Restorative work might be available for those who need it, and referrals to an oral surgeon for free extractions can be provided.
Call 304-598-5108 for an appointment. Slots are limited so call soon. 

MCHD presents QRT poster at event
Posted Oct. 4, 2019

Monongalia County Health Department's Brittany Irick created a poster about our Quick Response Team (QRT) a multi-agency approach to alleviating the area's opioid overdoses, at the recent conference of the West Virginia Association of Local Health Conferences at Canaan Valley Resort. To see the poster, click here. For more information, email Brittany.D.Irick@wv.gov.

MCHD Dentistry holds another GKAS!
Posted July 17, 2019

Thanks to funds provided by Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, MCHD Dentistry will hold another Give Kids a Smile! for children up to the age of 18 without dental insurance. The event takes place on Aug. 7. Kids will receive a dental cleaning, a fluoride treatment and oral health education. The balloon-filled event is aimed to give kids a positive dental experience to make going to the dentist a regular and non-intimidating experience. Call 304-598-5108 for an appointment. Read more ...
MCHD participates in drill
Posted May 31, 2109

MCHD Threat Preparedness participated in a multi-agency, multi-location drill on Wednesday, May 29. The scenario revolved around West Virginia University's PRT and allowed first responders to practice how terrorists could be stopped and victims rescued. MCHD Threat Prep staff were there to "assess" radioactive materials used.
See more photos...
MCHD Smile Express visits Preston Co.
Posted May 14, 2019

MCHD Smile Express will be visiting Preston County to provide free dental care to pregnant women and children up to the age of 18. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling Preston County Health Department at 304-329-0096. If the patient has dental insurance, it can be used for the visit. The visits are made possible through a grant from Your Community Foundation, which serves Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison and Taylor counties. Read more...
Syphilis is on the rise in Morgantown
Posted April 15, 2019

The number of syphilis cases is on the rise in Morgantown, mostly among men who have sex with other men. MCHD officials want to alert the public to the outbreak and offer suggestions on how to avoid and detect syphilis. Wear condoms, know and limit your partners and get tested for STDs. Call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment for free, confidential and non-judgmenal STD testing at MCHD Clinical Services. Free STD treatment also available. Read more...
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Two raccoons test positive for rabies
Posted March 14, 2019

In separate incidents, two raccoons have tested positive one month apart for rabies. Both were found in residential yards on Tyrone Avery Road in the Cheat Lake area. In both incidents, pet dogs were revaccinated and will be observed for 45 days. Read more...
MCHD debuts "The Radon Zone"
Posted Feb. 7, 2019

Do you live in ... a Radon Zone? Just because National Radon Action Month is over doesn't mean you still can't make an appointment to have your home tested. Call 304-598-5131... and tell them Rod Serling sent you. Be sure to click on full screen!
Give Kids a Smile! on Feb. 1
Posted Jan. 10, 2019

MCHD Dentistry will hold Give Kids a Smile! from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. Uninsured and under-insured children can receive dental checkups, cleanings and fluoride treatments for free. Call 304-598-5108 to make an appointment. Read more...
Radon tests still available for half price
Posted Jan. 7, 2019

January is National Radon Action Month. MCHD Environmental is still offering radon tests for $62.50 instead of the usual $125, thanks to a grant. Morgantown homes have a higher rate of unacceptable radon than the national average of 1 in 15; here it's 1 in 5. Read more...
MCHD featured in national newsletter
Posted Jan. 25, 2019

A multi-county, multi-agency drill that Monongalia County Health Department and its Threat Preparedness program participated in was highlighted in the Jan. 23, 2019 edition of the Medical Reserve Corps' newsletter. Read more...
Yes, MCHD WIC is open!
Posted Jan. 8, 2019
In spite of the partial federal government shutdown, all West Virginia WIC offices, including those in the six-county MCHD WIC region, remain open. All WIC program services remain active for WIC families. Please continue to keep your appointments and spend your benefits.
Stay healthy for good joy & cheer
Posted Dec. 17, 2018

What do you want this holiday season? Peace and goodwill? Time with family and friends? Good health? The last one can be unpredictable, with cold and damp weather, flu season and the stress of trying to achieve the perfect holiday. But there are steps you can take to ward off illness and to feel your best. Read more...
Harrison Co. WIC moving to Bridgeport
Posted Sept. 18, 2018

Harrison County's WIC office has moved from Clarksburg to Bridgeport. The new address is 103 East Main St., across from Almost Heaven Desserts. Phones will be forwarded for now so you can still call 304-623-1147; the new number is 304-848-9680. To get to the new location, take exit 119 off I-79 and head east toward downtown Bridgeport for about two miles. The new office is on the right. Read more...
"Be safe" a good motto for winter
Posted Dec. 27, 2018

The weather for the next couple of holiday weeks looks mild—for the beginning of winter. But winter still commenced last Friday with the solstice. And the holidays prompt people to hit the road more than they might otherwise. That's why the CDC offers these tips. Read more...
Help us help you. Take a short survey.
Posted Dec. 11, 2018

Monongalia County Health Department MCHD is conducting a Community  Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey to find out about community concerns and what more we can do to improve and impact the health of our citizens.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and let us know how we can help you, your family and your neighbors.
If  you have a question, please feel free to call Brittany Irick at 304-598-5162 or email her at Brittany.D.Irick@wv.gov.

Take the survey here.

West Nile Virus found in WV mosquitoes
Posted Aug. 28, 2018

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been found in mosquitoes in West Virginia that were trapped and tested for disease. There have not been any reported cases of WNV in West Virginia this summer. Not everyone who is bitten by a mosquito with WNV will develop the illness, and not everyone who is infected will develop symptoms. For some, however, WNV can lead to illnesses that attack the central nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis. There are several steps to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, including wearing insect repellent and long sleeves and long pants outdoors; dumping out any standing water from flower pots in your yard and using mosquito dunks that kill larvae in remaining standing water, such as a pond. The fact sheet on the left has more information. Read more ...
MCHD Smile Express is on its way
Posted Aug. 8, 2018

Stay tuned—MCHD Smile Express will be making its debut soon, taking dentistry on the road. Our dental staff will travel to schools and see students who don't have a dental home, as well as others in the community who might have a need, such as senior citizens. Students will receive a check-up, X-rays, fluoride, sealants and oral health education. Read more ...
World Hep Day more important than ever
Posted July 18, 2018

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day, was launched in 2007 by the World Hepatitis Alliance. It’s a great time to learn about this disease, how to avoid it, how to get tested for it and how to treat it. Furthermore, MCHD’s Clinical Services program has teamed up with WVU's School of Nursing to conduct a Hepatitis Clinic on Fridays to combat this disease that is very prevalent in West Virginia. Clients can be tested and  also receive care, guidance and referrals for additional treatment. Read more ...