Press Releases

North Carolina Impacted by Texas Oyster Recall; Illnesses Reported

A recall has been issued for any shell and shucked oysters harvested in the southeastern Galveston Bay known as TX1 between Nov. 17 and Dec. 7, 2022. North Carolina restaurants and stores may be impacted by this recall, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced.

Telemedicine Program Launched to Increase Access to Lifesaving COVID-19 Treatments

People who test positive for COVID-19, particularly those who are uninsured or don’t have a primary care doctor, will have better access to treatments thanks to a time-limited telemedicine program launched by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with StarMed Healthcare. After a positive test, early treatment is key to avoiding severe illness and hospitalizations, and treatment may even reduce complications from post-COVID conditions, also called long COVID.

Back to School Means Time to Get Children Up to Date on Required and Recommended Vaccines

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.

NCDHHS Encourages Screening and Testing During National HIV Testing Day

At the end of 2021, an estimated 4,000 people were living with HIV in North Carolina and unaware of their HIV+ status. Getting tested routinely and knowing their status means people can get treatment quicker.
 

NCDHHS Encourages Screening, Testing and Vaccination During Hepatitis Awareness Month to Reduce the Spread of Disease

Due to the high prevalence and underdiagnosis of viral hepatitis, the NC Department of Health and Human Services recognizes May as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day.

NCDHHS Releases Blueprint on Building and Maintaining a Strong Public Health Workforce

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today published Governmental Public Health: Workforce and Infrastructure Improvement in Action, a review of the public health workforce and infrastructure across North Carolina. The paper provides an overview of select programs and opportunities within the NCDHHS Division of Public Health that aim to strengthen the public health infrastructure and support workforce development while reducing disparities and advancing equity.

Powdered Infant Formula Recalled, FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Powdered Infant Formulas

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is cautioning families about certain infant formula that has been recalled by Abbott for potentially containing a bacteria that can lead to hospitalization in infants. The recall includes powdered formulas Similac, Alimentum, EleCare and EleCare Jr., and they should not be used.

NC National Guard to Support Alamance Regional Medical Center Amid Omicron Surge

The North Carolina National Guard is deploying guard members to Alamance Regional Medical Center, part of the Cone Health System, in Burlington, N.C. to support staff and hospital operations. The 25 NCNG soldiers and airmen will arrive Thursday morning.

NCDHHS Secretary Issues Secretarial Advisory Urging Vaccination and Boosters Against COVID-19, Omicron Variant

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. today issued the below Secretarial Advisory, urging the following actions to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

NCDHHS Releases 2020-2021 North Carolina Safer Syringe Initiative Annual Report

Programs that provide overdose prevention and syringe access are serving more people and potentially saving more lives, according to the 2020-2021 North Carolina Safer Syringe Initiative Annual Report released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

NCDHHS Announces New Dental Health Training Program for Adults with I/DD

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new dental public health training program: Oral Health Training Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). The program, launched by NCDHHS’s Division of Public Health’s Oral Health Section, aligns with its mission to improve the oral health of North Carolinians and to support dental public health workforce development.

COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available for All Vaccinated Adults

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone 18 years or older who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine get a booster six months after their second dose to help strengthen and extend protections agains

NCDHHS to Host Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11 on Nov. 9

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

New Data Dashboard Tracks Trends in Violent Deaths in North Carolina to Aid Safety and Prevention Efforts

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System (NC-VDRS) Data Dashboard, an interactive online dashboard that provides aggregate information on violent deaths for all 100 counties in North Carolina. The NC-VDRS dashboard, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was created to make data more accessible to public health partners to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of prevention efforts around violence and safety.

Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins Next Week, Protects People and Pets

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it is working with the United States Department of Agriculture to help prevent the spread of rabies by distributing oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons along western North Carolina’s borders with Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus Identified in Eastern North Carolina Horses and Mosquitoes

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has recently been identified in eastern North Carolina. Horses in three counties — Brunswick, Pender and Onslow — were recently diagnosed with EEE. In addition, EEE virus was detected in a mosquito sample from New Hanover County. No human cases of EEE have been identified in North Carolina so far this year.

Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots Recommended by FDA but Not Yet Available to Public

Advisors to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today the Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 booster shot is safe, effective and recommended for individuals who have been fully vaccinated for at least six months and are: 65 years and older; at high risk of severe COVID-19; and, at high risk of occupational exposure. 

North Carolina Offers $100 Cards for First-time COVID-19 Vaccinations, and $25 Cards for Drivers

As part of its effort to help more North Carolinians protect themselves against COVID-19 and the highly contagious Delta variant, North Carolina is now offering $100 Summer Cards at some vaccine sites across the state to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.

NCDHHS Advises Caution During Hot Summer Months to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

Public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services advise employers, local health departments, emergency managers and residents to take precautions to protect their employees, constituents, pets and themselves from heat-related illness as temperatures across the state rise.

77% of Staff in State Operated Healthcare Facilities are Vaccinated

As of July 1, 2021, 77% of staff at state-operated health care facilities are fully vaccinated according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities, a state-operated healthcare system comprised of 14 facilities with more than 10,000 employees. In addition, 93% of residents in the state’s six congregate living facilities are fully vaccinated.