Raleigh health brief: Measles response, provider webinar, and a WakeMed blood drive
Raleigh, NC – February 27, 2026 – Measles response work in Raleigh’s state lab and new provider briefings lead this week’s health updates across Wake County.
Raleigh-area health updates over the last several days have centered on the region’s measles response, with limited new, Raleigh-specific reporting on hospitals or health insurance changes during the same 144-hour window.
Measles response: Raleigh’s state lab plays a key role
As measles cases and exposure investigations continue across North Carolina, state and local public health decisions often start at the State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh, according to a recent WRAL report. The lab helps confirm measles infections for high-risk cases, which can affect how quickly health officials can notify potentially exposed groups and coordinate next steps with providers.
The WRAL story notes that North Carolina has reported at least 23 measles cases since December 2025, with samples from more than a dozen cases sent to the state lab. Lab leadership told WRAL that rapid turnaround can be especially important during exposure investigations, when public health teams are working to identify who may be at risk and how to limit additional spread.
While individual exposures do not necessarily mean community transmission is occurring in Wake County, the reporting underscores why public health agencies continue to emphasize vaccination status checks and careful coordination with clinics when someone may be symptomatic.
Today: State health officials host a measles update webinar for providers
North Carolina’s Division of Public Health has scheduled a measles update webinar for providers at noon Friday, Feb. 27. The state said updates are expected from the Communicable Disease Branch, the Immunization Branch, and the NC State Lab of Public Health.
The same state communication also includes an operational update for providers related to a McKesson temperature-monitoring device change, along with an invitation to an HPV vaccination stakeholder meeting. Together, the items reflect a mix of outbreak readiness and routine immunization work that continues even during respiratory-virus season.
Hospital/community note: WakeMed hosted a Raleigh Campus blood drive
On Feb. 25, WakeMed listed a blood drive event at its Raleigh Campus, hosted in partnership with The Blood Connection. The hospital noted that donations can support patient care locally and that donors would receive a $40 e-gift card as a thank-you.
Blood drives are not outbreak-specific, but they are a recurring part of hospital operations and emergency preparedness, particularly during winter when donations can dip due to weather and illness.
Sources
https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/health/raleigh-state-lab-confirms-measles-cases-nc-outbreak-february-2026/
https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/02/23/measles-webinar-important-mckesson-update-hpv-stakeholder-invitation
https://www.wakemed.org/event/2026/02/25/blood-drive-raleigh-campus
