Highlights
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with smoothies that contained frozen imported strawberries suspected to be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. Those smoothies would have been consumed before August 9th, 2016. Tropical Smoothie Cafes in Virginia received this product and ensured it was removed from use at all their restaurant locations by or before August 9th. As of 12:00 pm on *September 23, 2016, 104 Virginia residents who had tested positive for hepatitis A reported consuming a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Café prior to becoming…Read more
Don't Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.
During National Preparedness Month, learn how to prepare for emergencies. Make a family emergency communication plan. Consider how your family will reunite if you are not together when disaster strikes. Make a reunification plan. Prepare for the unique needs of your family including babies and young children, elderly, special needs and pets. Download the ReadyVirginia app. Create your own emergency plan today.Read more
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death among children and second only to injury among all causes of death. Each year in Virginia an average of 284 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer and nearly 48 children die. While the survival rate for children with cancer has dramatically improved over the last 50 years, there is a need for continued research to identify prevention and treatment strategies that are more effective. In Virginia, Brain and Central Never System cancer is the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer, affecting 3 out of every 100,000 children (an average…Read more
