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State Health Commissioner Testifies before Congress
Dr. Stroube explained how the funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration is being used to help prepare Virginia’s public health and hospital system for a rapid and effective response to any event. “VDH has made tremendous progress over the last few years to prepare for bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks or natural disasters. The sustained federal grant support is essential to continue our progress,” Dr. Stroube said. In addition to emergency preparedness funding, Dr. Stroube told the committee about the challenges of the recent influenza season in Virginia. Dr. Stroube explained that we had an aggressive flu vaccination awareness campaign but also an early outbreak of flu this season. The situation was exacerbated by extensive media coverage, heightened public awareness and demand for flu vaccine which stretched well into December and January. The result was that the available supply was unable to meet this demand. In Virginia, many high-risk patients went without vaccine, parents could not get young children vaccinated, and healthcare providers could not vaccinate their staff. The present system of vaccine production and distribution was incapable of effectively responding to the demands placed on it during this past flu season. Dr. Stroube encouraged Congress to support the development of a more reliable vaccine production process. A review of the nation’s influenza program must include a comprehensive and critical look at all aspects of the system including production and distribution of vaccine. Dr. Stroube expressed gratitude to the committee for the preparedness funding for it has provided, which has been crucial for the rebuilding of our public health infrastructure. However, Dr. Stroube stressed that this cannot be seen as a short term investment. Decades of neglect of the nation’s public health infrastructure make continued federal investments necessary. For the complete testimony, log onto the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Web site.
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What's Growing in Your Garden?
Last year there were 26 probable or confirmed human cases of West Nile virus reported in Virginia. Another four cases of La Crosse encephalitis and one case of Eastern Equine encephalitis were reported in the state in 2003. One death was reported due to West Nile virus and another from Eastern Equine encephalitis. According to information presented at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National West Nile Conference held this past February, it appears that 80 percent of persons infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. On average, people who become ill with West Nile fever (rather than the more serious encephalitis) spend about 14 days home from work. "People over fifty are at higher risk for serious complications or death from the virus," explained Dr. Suzanne Jenkins, Director of the Division of Zoonotic and Environmental Epidemiology. However, people of any age can become very ill from the virus. "The greatest risk of infection for most people is in their own backyards," Jenkins stressed. "We hope that people will take time to eliminate standing water and perform the standard maintenance around the house so that they and their neighbors can enjoy a safer, healthier summer." For more information on protecting yourself against West Nile virus and other mosquito borne diseases, go to www.vdh.virginia.gov or contact your local health department.
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VDH Provides Fatherhood Training To Family Service Providers
The absence of fathers in American families has reached epidemic proportions. In the past 30 years, the number of children living in homes without their biological fathers has increased from seven to 25 million. Research indicates that children from fatherless families are more likely to experience a host of negative social and health outcomes. The VFC is committed to positively addressing the health, social, educational and financial issues that contribute to the problem. More importantly, VFC is working to bring fathers together with their children. Regional workshops are held each year to equip family service providers and community leaders with the essential knowledge and skills needed to work with fathers and develop fatherhood programs. To date, the VFC has trained over 700 family service providers, health care workers, Department of Corrections professionals, faith based organizations, resource mothers, and Head Start personnel. Workshops are two days
long and offered in various locations statewide. The most recent
workshop topics have included: Participants gain valuable information on recruiting and retaining fathers, social marketing their programs, program evaluation, and obtaining funding for fatherhood programs. Local child support enforcement and domestic violence and sexual violence prevention specialists also provide valuable information.
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Division of HIV/STD: Working to Reinvent Surveillance
Division of HIV/STD staff recently attended the 2004 National STD Prevention Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference provided an opportunity for leading researchers, scientists, and program leaders to share up-to-date and cutting edge scientific information. The Division’s Health Informatics and Behavioral Surveillance team presented two initiatives supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Outcome Assessment through Systems of Integrated Surveillance (OASIS) grant project. Jeff Stover, Director of Health Informatics and Behavioral Surveillance, discussed advances in geographic information systems (GIS) technology and Jennifer Bissette, the Division’s OASIS Coordinator, summarized the findings of a behavior surveillance survey. Since 2001, the Division has used GIS technology to “reinvent surveillance,” enhancing the current surveillance system with new technologies and integrated approaches. The new technology allows the Division to visualize data through mapping, to better explain events, predict outcomes and plan strategies. Specifically, GIS technology has provided the Division the ability to graph the disease burden of HIV/STD cases across Virginia. These maps will be used to target prevention planning and screening activities at the community level. As a result of mapping the distribution of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), outbreaks of infection can be more rapidly identified. The STD surveillance system is limited by the large volume of cases reported in Virginia each year and lack of behavioral risk information. In an effort to reduce STD rates across Virginia, the Division developed a behavioral surveillance survey designed to collect additional behavioral risk information associated with STDs. This information will help the Division examine issues surrounding behavioral, social and environmental factors that contribute to disease exposure and transmission and respond with specific community interventions. The Health Informatics and Behavioral Surveillance team presented a summary detailing the activities during the first year of its behavioral surveillance survey. Given that Richmond continually ranks among the top cities nationally for rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia, the Division collaborated with the Richmond City Department of Public Health to initiate the survey in its STD clinic. The official survey began in January 2003 and is ongoing. STD clinic patients are offered the confidential survey in a private room. The patients are asked a variety of behavioral and risk questions. During the first 11 months, 90 percent of the patients offered the survey agreed to participate, with over 2,600 surveys conducted. The Division is building upon these types of initiatives in order to strengthen its surveillance capacity and assist local health departments with STD program activities. The Health Informatics and Behavioral Surveillance staff will continue to concentrate on epidemiologic surveillance, emphasizing the use of new technologies to advance STD knowledge, improve quality of care and program performance.
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Immunizations, They’re Not Just for Kids
Despite the availability of a vaccine that is more than 95 percent effective in preventing hepatitis B, approximately 80,000 individuals, mostly adolescents and adults, are infected each year in the United States. Some of these people become chronically infected and 4,000 to 5,000 chronically infected individuals die prematurely each year due to chronic liver disease. Influenza and its complications kill approximately 40,000 individuals every year in the United States. Another 100,000 individuals suffer so severely from influenza that hospitalization is required. The overwhelming majority of these deaths and hospitalizations occur among the elderly. When the vaccine is well matched to circulating viruses, vaccination lowers the risk of infection among healthy adults by 90 percent and reduces the risk of hospitalization and death among the elderly by up to 70 percent. In recent years, pneumococcal infections have accounted for more than 100,000 hospitalizations for pneumonia, 60,000 cases of invasive disease, and about 7,000 deaths. Over 50 percent of these deaths occur among people 65 years of age, or older. Pneumococcal vaccine effectiveness against invasive disease among this age group is 75 percent. On average, between 50 and 100 cases of tetanus are reported in the U.S. each year, with approximately 11 percent of those infected dying. Those that recover face prolonged hospitalization and a slow, laborious recuperation. Individuals aged 40 and over account for 70 percent of reported tetanus cases. Due to decreasing levels of protection, adults need to be vaccinated with tetanus boosters every 10 years. Adult immunizations are not limited to tetanus, pneumococcal, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines. All adults should be immune to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and varicella. In addition, adults who are susceptible to hepatitis A and polio should be vaccinated if they are at risk for exposure. Lastly, certain vaccines, such as travel vaccines should be obtained if necessary. To find out if you’re up-to-date on your vaccines, check out the Adult Immunization Schedule available on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
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Protect The Ones You Love: Vaccinate Pets Against Rabies!
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. Animals sick with rabies shed the virus in their saliva, so any animal bite should be taken seriously. If an animal bites you, wash the wound immediately. Call your physician, local health department or animal control agency immediately. Rabies can be prevented in cats, dogs, ferrets, and some livestock with a rabies vaccination. Because of improved rabies vaccination programs for pets and better treatment for people who are bitten, rabies cases among humans in this country are rare. The best way to prevent the spread of rabies to humans is by keeping pets properly vaccinated. State law requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines can be given as early as three months and one product is approved for kittens at eight weeks. In 2003,
542 animals tested positive for rabies in Virginia, most of which
were raccoons. However, 34 cats and six dogs also tested positive
for the virus. Among those cases, most of the animals were strays,
and probably not vaccinated. Before helping a stray domestic animal
or a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal, remember that the animal
could be infected with rabies. Feeding, picking up, or taking in
such an animal could put you, your family, and your pets at risk
of rabies. For more information
on rabies, log onto the Virginia
Department of Health’s Rabies Control and Prevention Web site.
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Virginia Department of Health Offers Regional Forensic Epidemiology Training
The Virginia Department of Health will offer forensic epidemiology training in the Eastern, Central, Northwestern, and Southwestern regions of Virginia during April 2004. This training is designed to enhance and strengthen the joint efficiency and collaboration of law enforcement, fire and rescue, and public health as all the entities simultaneously respond to biological weapon threats or attacks. Public health staff, members of law enforcement, fire and rescue workers, emergency medical service providers and other safety and health employees are invited to take part in this training, which ultimately aims to unify the bioterrorism response effort among multiple disciplines. The Northern region recently held a similar training session February 24-25, 2004 for agencies in that area. “The events of September 11, the anthrax attacks, and the numerous biological threats and hoaxes that the U.S. continues to receive have compelled public health, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies to work more collaboratively,” said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. “Our agencies share many similar goals including the common goal of protecting the health and well-being of Virginia’s citizens. This vital training will help enhance our joint response and investigative methods regarding possible future bioterrorism attacks.” As part of the forensic epidemiology training sessions, participants will analyze fact-based case scenarios and perform group tasks such as conducting epidemiologic investigations and public health responses in a crime scene setting. Participants also will be asked to link criminal investigative procedures with laboratory and other scientific procedures. When evaluating the scenarios, group members will jointly utilize operational procedures and communication methods from law enforcement, fire and rescue, and public health to gain a better understanding of each field. The training sessions also will provide a unique networking opportunity by increasing participants’ familiarity with their public safety and public health counterparts in their jurisdictional areas.
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"Living Well with Arthritis: YOU CAN Symposium"
It’s springtime. The weather is fine, birds are chirping, flowers are blossoming. It’s a perfect day for a leisurely stroll in the park. Taking a walk is a simple pleasure for most of us, but for many it seems impossible. Eight million Americans experience physical limitations in activities such as walking, dressing and bathing due to arthritis, America’s leading cause for disabilities. “Arthritis is one of the nation’s most common health problems and affects men and women of all ages,” explained State Health Commissioner, Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. In fact, one out of four Virginians has doctor diagnosed arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. That’s why the Virginia Arthritis Project is partnering with members of the Virginia Arthritis Task Force to sponsor the Living Well with Arthritis: YOU CAN community education symposium. The conference will focus on increasing awareness of arthritis in some of its most common forms and developing private and public partnerships to address the impact of the disease in Virginia. The symposium is designed to educate people about arthritis, and its risk factors. Participants will receive accurate information about alternative therapies and treatment options, research developments, risks and benefits of new drug treatments, and how to improve the quality of life of someone with arthritis. “Arthritis is an important public health issue,” said Bunny Caro-Justin, Virginia Arthritis Project Manager. “People with arthritis need to understand that they can improve their mobility and quality of life through physical activity.” Health Benefits and Risk Avoidance Tips: • Maintain an appropriate weight.
Obesity may lead to osteoarthritis of the knee. The Living Well with Arthritis: YOU CAN community education symposium will be held on May 21-22 at the Richmond Omni Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Participants must register by April 30. E-mail Virginia Arthritis Project Manager Bunny Caro-Justin for details. For more information about the Virginia Arthritis Project and the Virginia Arthritis Task Force log on to the Office of Family Health Services Web site.
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| VDH
Accolades
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| Commissioner Hails Successful CVC Campaign with “Hail to the Redskins”
State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube and Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Lake dressed as Washington Redskins Hogettes and sang, “Hail to the Redskins,” to about 250 staffers. Deputy Commissioner Jim Burns added a third voice to the Hogettes’ performance. Stroube agreed to the stunt if at least 40 percent of the central office staff participated in the campaign. A total of 49 percent of the staff in the central office contributed to last year’s campaign raising $33,500. Statewide, VDH employees contributed just over $87,000 to the 2003 campaign. This earned the department a Silver Award from the state CVC campaign and a Special Award for its best year ever. VDH’s 2003 contribution to the CVC was 33 percent greater than the previous year’s. Other winners of the CVC Silver Award included the Chesapeake, New River and Portsmouth health districts. Several districts recorded their best year ever in 2003. These included Central Virginia, Chesterfield, Cumberland Plateau, Eastern Shore, Hampton, Hanover, Loudon, New River, Portsmouth, Rappahannock, Rappanonnock/Rapidan, Roanoke, Three Rivers and Western Tidewater.
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State
Health Commissioner Dr. Robert Stroube testified before the 
Most of us realize the
importance of immunizations for children. Vaccines are routinely
given at most check-ups during infancy and are even required for
entry into day care and school. But did you know that adults
need immunizations too, and many are walking around unprotected?
With the arrival of spring, more people head outdoors to enjoy the
natural beauty of the state. The Virginia Department of Health urges
citizens to protect themselves and their families this season by
making sure their pets’ 
