PRESS RELEASE — As warmer weather approaches, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging North Carolinians to "Fight the Bite" by taking measures to reduce their risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. In 2024, more than 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses were reported statewide.
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PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today reported more than 500 flu-related deaths for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season. This is the highest number of statewide flu deaths recorded since broad reporting began in 2009.
PRESS RELEASE — As measles cases continue to rise across the country, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking proactive steps to ensure the state remains prepared for any potential cases or outbreaks. While there have been no reported cases of measles in North Carolina so far in 2025, public health officials are urging residents, health care providers and child care centers to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their communities and those at highest risk, especially unvaccinated children.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to prevent and eliminate the spread of rabies. Starting this week, Wildlife Services will be distributing the annual oral rabies vaccine for raccoons in Western North Carolina. This oral rabies distribution program typically takes place annually each fall but was delayed in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene.
PRESS RELEASE — Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and former State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson were recognized for their exemplary accomplishments in public health with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Ron H. Levine Public Health Award at the annual North Carolina Public Health Leaders’ Conference on March 13.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its weekly Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard, which shows an increase in flu-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths reported this season to 362. This is the highest number of flu deaths reported since the 2017-2018 flu season.
PRESS RELEASE — The 2023 Infant and Child Mortality Data from the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force Report shows non-Hispanic Black and American Indian children have higher mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, the disparity worsened, with Black infants dying at rates three times higher than white infants. When compared to other states, North Carolina had the 10th highest infant mortality rate in the country, highlighting the critical need for the Department of Health and Human Services efforts to ensure the health and well-being of children and families.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today updated its weekly Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard, which shows an increase in flu activity and flu-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths this season to 117.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Into the Mouths of Babes program, a partnership that delivers preventive oral health services to young children insured by NC Medicaid. Since 2000, this program has helped medical providers across the state give infants and toddlers early dental evaluations, preventive oral health care and other dental services that lay the foundation for good health.
PRESS RELEASE — As Kody H. Kinsley closes out his tenure as North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, the department celebrates the lasting accomplishments achieved under his leadership. Guided by his vision to make the health system easier to navigate for families and more effective at promoting health, Secretary Kinsley drove collaboration across the department and with broad coalitions of external partners to deliver on foundational changes that will improve health for generations to come.