The Pender County Health Department has been recognized for its mosquito control program and quick response following Hurricane Florence.

The county health department was presented May 1 with the Outstanding Public Health Award by the Eastern District N.C. Public Health Association, according to a news release.

“The Eastern District is comprised of 55 counties, so this award by our peers means a lot to our staff,” Carolyn Moser, Pender County health and human services director, said in the release

The state association's awards committee presented the honor because the mosquito program was "considered creative, innovative, efficient and effective," officials stated in the release.