Topics Related to Public Health

PRESS RELEASE — **This project is postponed until Spring 2025** The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to prevent and eliminate the spread of rabies. Beginning next week, Wildlife Services will be distributing the annual oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons in Western North Carolina.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how seasonal vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and RSV, help protect communities against severe illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications. The event will be moderated by Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, M.D., NCDHHS’ State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today published the 2024 Health Disparities Analysis Report. The report offers a comprehensive view of the effects of health disparities on health outcomes across North Carolina and highlights opportunities for improvement and action.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is encouraging everyone 6-months and older to get their seasonal flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications from viruses. Both vaccines have been updated for the new flu and COVID-19 virus strains that will continue to spread this fall and winter.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a confirmed case of measles (rubeola) in a child in Mecklenburg County. This is the first measles case reported in North Carolina since 2018. The child was likely exposed to measles while traveling out of the country. Fortunately, the parents kept the child at home after returning to North Carolina except for one medical visit, during which appropriate precautions were taken to avoid spreading the virus. To protect patient privacy, no further information about the patient will be shared. NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health is working closely with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure readiness to detect and respond to other possible measles cases or exposures.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how educators and community leaders can address youth vaping and best support North Carolina students.
PRESS RELEASE — Governor Roy Cooper declares Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day in North Carolina — a day to remember those lost to overdose, honor their families and renew our commitment to ending the crisis.
PRESS RELEASE — As children across North Carolina head back to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations are an important part of back-to-school success and overall health and well-being.
PRESS RELEASE — As North Carolinians experience the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, officials with the North Carolina Emergency Management and the Department of Health and Human Services warns against use of gasoline-powered generators, outdoor grills and camp stoves in enclosed spaces.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a significant expansion of the North Carolina Human Donor Milk Program, adding five new donor depots across the state. This initiative, led by the NCDHHS Division of Public Health in partnership with WakeMed, aims to enhance the availability of pasteurized human donor milk to support the health and well-being of infants, particularly those who are premature or medically fragile.