PRESS RELEASE — Public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are reporting a case of rare illness caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (one-celled living organism) commonly found in warm freshwater, in a central NC teen. The patient is critically ill and receiving medical care. To protect the family’s privacy, no further information will be released.
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking interested residents to join the NC Rare Disease Advisory Council. This Council advises the Governor, NCDHHS and the General Assembly on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to rare diseases or conditions.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how new federal and state laws will impact NC Medicaid, who will lose coverage under these new rules and how to prepare for upcoming changes to the program.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the UNC School of Social Work to expand access to suicide prevention training to UNC system universities and community college campuses across the state in 2026-27.
PRESS RELEASE — As children and teens across North Carolina return to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations remain an important part of overall health and school success.
PRESS RELEASE — While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services works to strengthen the state’s crisis care system, new survey results show that North Carolinians are satisfied with the mental health and substance use services they receive through the LME/MCOs. NCDHHS conducts a survey each year as a reporting requirement for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These promising results come just two years after the NCGA made a historic investment in mental health care in North
STATEMENT — Following the Aug. 10, 2026, Executive Order on childhood vaccines, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reaffirms the importance of vaccines to protect children and encourages parents and caregivers to consult their pediatricians or health care providers. State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Greenblatt made the following statement:
PRESS RELEASE — Today during National Farmers Market Week, Governor Josh Stein and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited the Durham Farmers’ Market to highlight the SUN Bucks program, which provides nutritious food for more than a million North Carolina children throughout the summer. While private philanthropies have stepped in during past years to help the state cover its share to activate the federal program, this year’s budget includes state funding to operate SUN Bucks in the summer of 2027.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the state’s first case of disease associated with West Nile virus in 2026. The case occurred in a resident of Gaston County. Additionally, a West Nile virus-positive blood donor was identified in Mecklenburg County through routine screening. To protect the privacy of these individuals, no further information will be provided at this time.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the formation of the NC Rural Health Transformation Program’s Advisory Committee. This Committee includes more than 40 members representing community organizations, health care providers, elected officials and other partners that will help guide our work in improving access to care in rural North Carolina