News

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is alerting citizens of an ongoing national investigation of four cases of severe illness due to a rare bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei, which causes melioidosis. The cases were reported from Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and Texas. Two of the cases were fatal.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found the bacteria in a bottle of “Better Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones.” The product tested was taken from the home of one of the cases.

Yesterday evening, the CDC endorsed the recommendation from its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to those who previously received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine were already eligible for a booster dose. The decision also allows people to mix-and-match vaccine brands for their booster dose.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) and health care providers across the state are encouraging volunteers and individuals with health care experience to join the health care workforce during this time of unprecedented staffing need.

Governor Doug Burgum has proclaimed October 2021 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month and October 15, 2021, as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Every week, NDDoH & Local Public Health have COVID-19 vaccine clinics in convenient locations known as "pop-up clinics" to make it easier to get vaccinated. This week there are 70+ pop-ups in addition to static COVID vaccine clinics! This week's pop-ups: http://health.nd.gov/PopUpClinics

Are you looking for up-to-date information from the NDDoH while Facebook and Instagram are down? Check out our news feed or find us on twitter at @NDDOH

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released a public safety alert regarding an increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

From the Office of the Governor: 

Gov. Doug Burgum and chief medical officers and physicians from several of the state’s largest hospitals today warned that hospital capacity in North Dakota is reaching critical levels and urged the public to help reduce the need for hospitalization.

Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in our state and the staffing shortage in health care facilities, Dr. Wehbi, North Dakota State Health Officer, extended the waiver for temporary nurse aid registration in North Dakota. This waiver, which was set to expire on October 31, 2021, will be extended to December 31, 2021.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) will host a live Town Hall event Thursday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. CT to discuss COVID-19 vaccine booster recommendations, availability, and long-term care planning.