The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is advising residents to take precautions as the state experiences a sharp rise in heat-related illnesses this summer. From May 1 to July 12, 2025, more than 3,300 emergency department visits for heat-related illness were reported—double the average seen during the same period from 2020 to 2024.
“We are seeing more people coming to emergency departments across the state with heat-related illnesses this summer,” said Dr. Zack Moore, NCDHHS State Epidemiologist. “Heat-related illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition, but some groups are at higher risk, including outdoor workers, infants and children, older adults, pregnant people, athletes, low-income individuals and people with underlying health conditions.”
NCDHHS officials emphasize that recognizing symptoms such as heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, a racing or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, fainting and nausea or vomiting is crucial for preventing serious outcomes.
To help address the risks associated with extreme heat events in North Carolina—which have become more frequent in recent years—the NCDHHS Heat Health Alert System has issued over 900 county-level alerts in English and Spanish since May. Residents can sign up for these alerts on the NCDHHS Climate and Health webpage.
The department also recommends several steps for staying safe: drinking water regularly; limiting time outdoors during peak temperatures; wearing light clothing; seeking air-conditioned spaces when possible; and keeping informed about weather forecasts through local channels or NCDHHS alerts.
In addition to issuing warnings and educational materials—including water bottles and cooling towels—NCDHHS has provided high-velocity fans to farmworkers statewide. The agency has also developed training for healthcare providers on treating heat illness among farmworkers in partnership with its Office of Rural Health. Further efforts include supporting local governments through programs designed to develop action plans for managing extreme heat.
“Estamos viendo a más personas acudiendo a los departamentos de emergencias en todo el estado con enfermedades relacionadas con el calor este verano”, dijo el Dr. Zack Moore, epidemiólogo estatal de NCDHHS. “Las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor pueden afectar a cualquier persona, independientemente de su edad o condición física, pero algunos grupos corren un mayor riesgo, incluso los trabajadores al aire libre, los bebés y los niños, los adultos mayores, las personas embarazadas, los atletas, las personas de bajos ingresos y las personas con afecciones de salud subyacentes”.
La División de Salud Pública de NCDHHS continúa proporcionando informes y actividades de alcance para minimizar los impactos del calor extremo. Además del Sistema de Vigilancia de Enfermedades Relacionadas con el Calor y el Sistema de Alerta de Salud por Calor, el Equipo de Clima y Salud de NCDHHS proporciona otros servicios para prevenir enfermedades relacionadas con el calor.
More information about how climate change is affecting North Carolina’s public health can be found on the NCDHHS Climate & Health webpage.
