Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Division 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 — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety will hold the first meeting of the NC Crisis System of Care Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Room 240 of the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

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 — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking interested residents to join the NC Rare Disease Advisory Council. This Council advises the Governor, NCDHHS and the General Assembly on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to rare diseases or conditions.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how new federal and state laws will impact NC Medicaid, who will lose coverage under these new rules and how to prepare for upcoming changes to the program.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the UNC School of Social Work to expand access to suicide prevention training to UNC system universities and community college campuses across the state in 2026-27.

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.

PRESS RELEASE — While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services works to strengthen the state’s crisis care system, new survey results show that North Carolinians are satisfied with the mental health and substance use services they receive through the LME/MCOs. NCDHHS conducts a survey each year as a reporting requirement for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These promising results come just two years after the NCGA made a historic investment in mental health care in North Carolina, indicating NCDHHS efforts to support a robust, comprehensive mental health care system are working.

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 — Today during National Farmers Market Week, Governor Josh Stein and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited the Durham Farmers’ Market to highlight the SUN Bucks program, which provides nutritious food for more than a million North Carolina children throughout the summer. While private philanthropies have stepped in during past years to help the state cover its share to activate the federal program, this year’s budget includes state funding to operate SUN Bucks in the summer of 2027.

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

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced additional cases of cyclosporiasis in North Carolina, bringing the total to 718 cases and 24 hospitalizations since May 1, 2026. To provide the public with updated information, NCDHHS has launched a new Cyclosporiasis Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard that will be updated on Tuesdays with the latest information.

PRESS RELEASE — North Carolinians living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will have better access to services and a stronger support system under a new plan from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

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.

MEDIA ADVISORY — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner to hold the first meeting of the Health Care Affordability Commission on Tuesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live on the NCDHHS YouTube page.

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 — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recognizing the 4th anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Since 2022, North Carolinians are reaching out more with usage of 988 more than doubling since launch. Simultaneously, NCDHHS has improved its ability to respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.