All articles tagged with #ncdhhs
North Carolina health officials announced that a teen who contracted the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri died on August 31. The illness is rare and almost always fatal, and authorities urged precautions for warm freshwater activities (such as holding the nose or keeping the head above water) while withholding additional personal details to protect the family’s privacy.
NC health officials say an out-of-state measles case traveled through Asheville, with potential exposure at the Holiday Inn Express (435 Smokey Park Hwy) on Aug. 26, 2026 from 1:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Guests and staff potentially exposed should monitor for symptoms through Sept. 16, 2026 and contact a local health department if symptoms appear; privacy limits were noted. NC had 24 measles cases from Dec 2025–Feb 2026, with many among unvaccinated or unknown-status individuals, and nationwide the CDC reports 2,887 confirmed measles cases as of Aug. 27, 2026, the highest since the early 1990s MMR vaccine rollout. Public health guidance urges vaccination with the MMR vaccine for unvaccinated individuals 1 year and older (including international travelers) and provides information on vaccine access.
North Carolina health officials report 906 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases statewide as of Aug. 11, with Wake County accounting for 508 cases and Henderson County in the western region reporting 43; 31 people have been hospitalized since May. Cyclosporiasis, caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, is typically linked to contaminated produce or water, and officials say case monitoring and food-safety vigilance continue as the outbreak persists.
North Carolina health officials warn of a rise in Legionnaires' disease cases, a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella, with cases up by over 100 from 2024 to 2025. Symptoms can include fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath, and confusion. Prevention centers on monitoring and disinfecting water systems, including flushing unused taps, maintaining hot tubs, cleaning humidifiers and CPAP equipment, and following manufacturers' guidance.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has permanently shut down Trails Carolina, a wilderness camp, and revoked its license following the death of a 12-year-old boy at the facility. The camp's ability to admit new participants has also been suspended based on violations found during a recent inspection. This comes after a decade of investigations and allegations of abuse and neglect at the camp.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports that there have been 256 flu-related deaths in the state since October, with the majority occurring in adults aged 65 and older. The peak of deadly cases was in the week of January 6th, with 54 adult deaths reported, but flu deaths have since dropped. Last week, around 900 flu cases were reported at hospitals across North Carolina, compared to more than 2,300 cases in the first week of January.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has ordered the removal of all children from Trails Carolina and suspended new admissions following the death of a 12-year-old boy at the wilderness therapy camp. The camp has criticized the state's intervention as "negligent and reckless," while the investigation into the boy's death continues. The sheriff's office and DSS are working to ensure the safety of the children, and parents have been notified. Trails Carolina claims that the state's actions have caused unnecessary harm to children and families, while the state asserts that the move was necessary to ensure the health and safety of the children.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported a total of 22 flu-related deaths since the start of the 2023 season, with four more deaths reported recently. The majority of the deaths were among adults aged 65 and older. Additionally, there has been an increase in flu and COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. RSV vaccinations are also available for pregnant women and older adults.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched the 'Fight the Bite' campaign to reduce the risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. The state reported nearly 700 cases of such illnesses last year, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and La Crosse Encephalitis. The DHHS recommends using EPA-approved repellents, checking for ticks after being in tick habitats, and eliminating standing water to reduce the chance of mosquitoes breeding.