MEDIA ADVISORY — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and additional NCDHHS leadership staff will get their fall respiratory illness season vaccinations at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health on Friday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Secretary Sangvai and additional NCDHHS leadership will then be available for a brief media availability.
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2026-2027 flu season, which will be shared in next week’s NC Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard update. An adult in the central part of the state died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released. NCDHHS is encouraging people to take steps now to protect themselves and their families from seasonal respiratory illnesses — flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help prevent the spread of rabies. Starting in early October, Wildlife Services will be distributing oral rabies vaccine for raccoons in western North Carolina
PRESS RELEASE – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced an expansion in donor human milk access sites across North Carolina, making it easier for families to obtain and donate pasteurized donor milk.
PRESS RELEASE — Babies born in North Carolina will now be screened for two additional disorders, along with the other disorders screened for by the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Newborn Screening Program. Newborns will now be screened for Infantile Krabbe Disease and Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase (GAMT) Deficiency. This comes as NCDHHS celebrates the 60th anniversary of the state’s Newborn Screening Program this September during National Newborn Screening Awareness Month.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has posted findings of a public health investigation to identify the source of exposure for a previously reported rare brain infection case caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (one-celled living organism) commonly found in warm freshwater.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Division of Public Health and Henderson County Department of Public Health have been informed of a measles case in a resident of another state who traveled through Asheville while infectious. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information about this case will be released.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing additional exposure details related to recent rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed multiple rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County. Several goats at Farm Adventures have tested positive for rabies by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious.
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 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.
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 — 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
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a virtual media availability on Tuesday, July 21, at 2 p.m. with public health leaders to discuss the latest increase of cases in cyclosporiasis and preventative measures the public can take to stay safe.
PRESS RELEASE — As North Carolina continues to see elevated cyclosporiasis cases, NCDHHS, in collaboration with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and local partners, is continuing work to identify potential sources of cyclospora stemming from specific ingredients used frequently at homes and in restaurants. NCDHHS encourages North Carolinians and restaurants to practice proper safety precautions to prevent contracting the parasite.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina is among dozens of states across the United States experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. From May 1 to July 14, 2026, 307 cases of cyclosporiasis and 13 hospitalizations have been reported in North Carolina. Case counts will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. North Carolina has experienced a consistent level of cyclospora cases from 2024 to 2026, with 2024 marking an uptick in cases from years prior. Although a single product has not been identified as the source of the cases in North Carolina, NCDHHS is working with local partners to keep North Carolinians informed.
PRESS RELEASE — A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees and, combined with humidity, could feel like 110 degrees. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging caution when spending time outdoors or in areas that are not air conditioned and encourages people to drink plenty of water and be alert for signs of heat-related illness. NCDHHS has already documented more than 1,808 emergency department visits for heat-related illness between May 1 to June 28, 2026, which is above the average of 1,363 heat-related illness emergency department visits in the same time period in 2021 to 2025.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology today announced three new programs to improve the digital infrastructure of rural health care through new digital solutions and tools. This partnership advances statewide implementation of NC’s Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP) digital health and technology initiative, funded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds residents to enjoy outdoor activities safely this summer season. As warmer weather arrives, NCDHHS is sharing tips on water safety, heat protection and food safety to help prevent illness, injury and death.