Topics Related to Public Health

The North Carolina Radiation Protection Section of the NC Department of Health and Human Services has received a report of a measuring tool with a radioactive component that was stolen in Durham, N.C. The device, if handled inappropriately, can pose a potential health and safety risk.

More than 175,000 people currently living in North Carolina have been diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis, and many more may have hepatitis but do not realize they are infected. To address this important health issue, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day.

As the weather continues to warm up, state health officials urge North Carolinians to “Fight the Bite” by taking measures to reduce their risk of tick- and mosquito-borne infections. Preliminary data generated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health indicate that in 2020, there were 957 confirmed, probable or suspected cases of tick-borne diseases in North Carolina and 46 cases of domestically acquired and travel-associated mosquito-borne diseases.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health and Graham, Macon and Swain County Health Departments are asking anyone in these three counties who sees odd or sick-acting raccoons, skunks or foxes to call their local animal control or health department for collection and rabies testing. The testing is part of a larger effort to support the Oral Rabies Vaccination zone.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and its state partners today released the updated breastfeeding support NC Making It Work toolkit.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health today announced 14 medical facilities have been awarded the North Carolina Maternity Center Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation. The designation is based on the World Health Organization's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which support initiation, exclusivity and continuation of breastfeeding.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today updated the COVID-19 County Alert System , which shows 27 red counties — a decrease from 61 red counties on the previous Feb. 4 County Alert System — and the fewest red counties in the state since the start of the County Alert System.

Vaccine providers in North Carolina and across the nation continued to be hampered by delayed shipments and deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines due to severe weather. This afternoon, the federal government notified impacted states that vaccine shipments are expected to resume the beginning of next week.

As North Carolinians prepare for severe winter weather conditions, officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services caution people not to use gasoline-powered generators or tools, outdoor grills and camp stoves in enclosed spaces. These devices should be used outside only and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and air vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting new records for COVID-19 key metrics for Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2021.