Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite called cyclospora. This parasite can only be seen with a microscope. People get sick when they eat or drink food or water that is contaminated with this parasite.
NC is among dozens of U.S. states experiencing an increase of cyclosporiasis cases this summer.
Drowning can happen to anyone. It happens fast and is often silent.
The number of unintentional drowning deaths has increased by 50% over the past 10 years. Teens and adults usually drown in natural water, like lakes, rivers or the ocean. Most drownings occur in July.
Drowning is the number one cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4 years. Most young children drown in swimming pools.
More than half of boating-related deaths were drownings without a watercraft accident. Almost all boating-related injuries were related to watercraft accidents.
A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees. Combined with humidity, it could feel like 110 degrees.
As July 4th gets closer and our country celebrates its 250th birthday, NCDHHS wants everyone to use fireworks safely. Fireworks can seriously hurt people if they aren’t used the right way.
How Common are Fireworks Injuries in NC?In 2025, North Carolina emergency rooms treated 104 people for fireworks injuries during the July 4th weekend.
From 2020 to 2024, there was an average of 192 emergency department visits each year for fireworks-related injuries. More than 70% of those occurred in July. More than one in 10 firework injuries required hospitalization.
Who says you can’t be Sherlock Holmes when you grow up? NC public health professionals track and test for diseases to help stop them and keep communities safe.
Or maybe you want to keep playing in the dirt as a grown-up. NC environmental health experts dig holes, test the soil and make sure our groundwater is safe.
You can now learn more about public health careers in a new TV series called “Health Heroes.” The children’s educational series is on PBS North Carolina.
Did you know underage drinking often takes place in the summer?
Summer months bring vacations, parties and time with friends. During this time of year, it is important to be aware of how alcohol can impact young people.
When you’re pregnant, your heart works twice as hard. It is running a marathon every day to support you and your growing baby.
Even if you are young and feel healthy, pregnancy puts a lot of extra stress on your body. This stress can show hidden heart problems or cause a sudden jump in your blood pressure. From the time you become pregnant until your baby’s first birthday, heart problems are the top health risk you face.
In North Carolina, many families get their drinking water from private wells. Unlike city water, which is tested regularly by water providers, private well owners must test their own water. That means it is up to each family to make sure their water is safe.
Water from private wells can contain harmful germs or chemicals you can’t see, smell or taste. If well water is not routinely tested, families may drink unsafe water without knowing it. This can lead to stomach problems, skin rashes or more serious health issues over time.
To keep the public informed, NCDHHS has launched a new Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard. The dashboard will be updated around noon twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with new case and exposure information. To protect privacy, no personal details about people who are sick will be shared.