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 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.

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

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.