Press Releases

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that thousands of households in an 18-county area slammed earlier this month by Hurricane Matthew may be eligible to receive Disaster Food and Nutrition Service benefits, following approval this morning of a request from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for assistance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved North Carolina’s request for a hot food waiver in all 100 counties, allowing Food and Nutrition Services (food stamps) recipients to purchase hot food prepared for immediate consumption from authorized Electronic Benefits Transfer retailers.

 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the state's first death from flu for the 2016-2017 flu season. 

Food and Nutrition Services recipients have until Oct. 18 to request replacement of their benefits if they experienced food losses that can be attributed to Hurricane Matthew.

Patients have been safely moved and now occupy the new Cherry Hospital as of Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. The hospital, dedicated Aug. 30 in a ceremony attended by Gov. Pat McCrory, provides psychiatric care to individuals with the greatest need and  the least resources who live in 38 eastern North Carolina counties.

A team from Surry County Emergency Services gave the top performance during a judged competition with five other teams at this week's North Carolina Paramedic Championship.

 

Dr. Angela Black Smith, PharmD, whose research and analysis could save the state $2.5 million a year in prescription costs, recently won recognition as a recipient of the 2016 Governor’s Award for Excellence. 

As flu season approaches, state health officials encourage North Carolina residents to protect themselves by being vaccinated against the flu.

Public health officials remind everyone to “tip and toss” outdoor water containers after this weekend’s heavy rain. 

Mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis has infected one human and seven horses this summer in North Carolina, state health and agricultural officials report.

After news reports and editorials inaccurately and unfairly characterized the state’s efforts to protect drinking water, the North Carolina departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Quality release the following open editorial.

State health officials continue to encourage North Carolinians to take preventive measures against mosquito bites and to stay informed of the risk of Zika virus infection before traveling to areas with local, active transmission, now including Miami, Fla.

As part of ongoing consultation between the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health, Mecklenburg County health officials and other experts concerning the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, state health officials have reviewed and provided input on the revised operation and monitoring plans for re-opening the facility to the public. We believe these plans establish a well-reasoned approach to protecting the public’s health. We will continue to assist local public health officials as they monitor and evaluate facility operations.

Chapel Hill Creamery in Chapel Hill, NC, has announced a voluntary recall of all Chapel Hill Creamery cheese products because of a potential association with an outbreak of Salmonella infections.

On June 1, Governor Pat McCrory submitted North Carolina's Medicaid Reform plan (Section 1115 demonstration) application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Under Governor McCrory's administration, the Crisis Solutions Initiative, administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, focuses on identifying and implementing the best known strategies for crisis care while reducing avoidable visits to emergency depart