Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY — Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Debra Farrington and NCDHHS leaders will host a virtual town hall on Friday, Jan. 16, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., to discuss North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced two additional cases of measles in unvaccinated siblings in Buncombe County. This brings the total number of North Carolina measles cases to seven since late December. Both cases are connected to the ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. To protect the family's privacy, no additional information about these cases will be released. On Tuesday, South Carolina health officials announced 124 new measles cases, bringing the total number related to their outbreak to 434.

STATEMENT — Effective Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Davidson County Department of Social Services (DCDSS), as authorized under state law. This is the sixth time NCDHHS has taken over a county’s department of social services.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a virtual media availability on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. to address the latest increase in flu-related deaths in North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the opening of a new resource for people reentering their community following incarceration. NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders Kelly Crosbie will be on-site to celebrate the opening of AYA House in Rowan County on Friday, Jan. 16, at 10:30 a.m.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new case of measles in Rutherford County. This brings the total number of North Carolina measles cases to five since late December. All individuals who may have been exposed have been notified. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information about the case will be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Division of Public Health today announced additional cases of measles in three siblings in Buncombe County. The family had visited Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where there is a large ongoing measles outbreak approximately 1-2 weeks before the children became sick. To protect the family’s privacy, no additional information about these cases will be released.

MEDIA ADVISORY — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Public Health Dr. Kelly Kimple, and Medical Director of the Medical Consultation Unit Dr. Erica Wilson will hold a virtual media availability on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE — Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai responded to reports that the federal government may be freezing child care funding to all 50 states. At this time, North Carolina has not received official notice from the federal government about this action.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Gaston County Public Health have been informed of a measles case in a person who traveled through Gaston County 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 today announced a case of measles in an unvaccinated child in Polk County. The child had visited locations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina linked to a large ongoing measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina. The child developed symptoms of measles before Christmas and has since recovered. To protect the family’s privacy, no additional information about this individual will be released.

PRESS RELEASE — In recognition of National Radon Action Month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing 8,000 free radon test kits available beginning Jan. 1, 2026, at radon.ncdhhs.gov. Radon exposure is preventable, and testing is the only way to know if you or your family is at increased risk.

PRESS RELEASE — The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today awarded North Carolina $213 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). These funds will improve health care access for rural North Carolinians. In November, North Carolina submitted its application for these funds with bipartisan support from the state’s congressional delegation. These funds are awarded for 2026, and North Carolina will be eligible for more funding each year for the next five years.

STATEMENT — Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval of the new hepatitis B vaccination recommendation issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reaffirming that vaccinations play a vital role in safeguarding the health and well-being and help protect children, their families and entire communities from the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis B, measles, pertussis and others.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2025-2026 flu season. A child in the western region of the state recently died due to complications of influenza. To protect the family’s privacy, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Wake County Public Health have been informed of a confirmed measles case in a person who traveled through Terminal 2 of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport last week while infectious. This person, who is a resident of another state, arrived at the terminal for an early morning flight on Dec. 10, 2025. To protect the individual’s privacy, additional information about this case will not be released. There is no known health risk at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport at this time. Public health officials are recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. Measles vaccine is also recommended for infants 6-11 months who will be traveling internationally or to areas with active measles outbreaks.

Press Release — Ahead of Radon Action Month in January, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is releasing county-level data and resources on radon levels across the state. In North Carolina, radon is the number one environmental cause of lung cancer, and an estimated 480 residents die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Persons who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lives are ten times more susceptible to the impacts of radon.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase in flu activity and flu-related deaths. Three flu-related deaths were reported during the past week, bringing the total number of deaths this season to nine. This is a greater number of flu-related deaths so far compared to this time last season. North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season which was the highest number of statewide flu deaths recorded since reporting began in 2009. No flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina so far this season.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein is directing the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to restore Medicaid reimbursement rates to September 30, 2025, levels. The legislature’s failure to fully fund Medicaid forced cuts to the program in October, and the months-long budget stalemate between the legislative chambers has resulted in a wave of litigation against the state. Recent court orders have now made it untenable to continue with rate reductions.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received funding for the 2026 Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from federal partners. While the funding was delayed following the federal government shutdown, NCDHHS and county staff have been preparing so they would be ready to open for new Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications once federal funds were received. LIEAP and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) are two programs supported by LIHEAP block grant funding. North Carolinians who are eligible for LIEAP assistance and did not receive an auto-renewal or notice of automated payment can apply for benefits starting on December 10, 2025.