2011 Regional News Releases

October 31, 2011

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OFFER FREE BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS FOR ELIGIBLE WOMEN

(CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.) – Fifteen to thirty percent of women in the New River Valley lack access to services for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer. “Early detection reduces death rates, offers treatment options and ultimately can increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer,” said Molly O’Dell, MD, director of the New River Health District. “The Virginia Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides vital resources to help women minimize the risks associated with these illnesses.” more>>


October 18, 2011

BREAST HEALTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS; FREE FOR ELIGIBLE WOMEN
— October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month —

(WISE, Va.) – The LENOWISCO Health District, which serves individuals in Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton, encourages women in our communities to learn about breast health education and free screening programs that are available through the local health department. more>>


October 18, 2011

WIC PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IN CUMBERLAND PLATEAU

(LEBANON, Va.) — A wonderful resource is now available to pregnant women and mothers in the Cumberland Plateau Health District who are currently breastfeeding, or who plan to do so upon their baby’s arrival. The WIC Program, which stands for Women, Infants and Children, will host meetings for a Breastfeeding Support Group later this month in Dickenson and Russell counties. Similar programs were held earlier in October in Buchanan and Tazewell counties. more>>


October 18, 2011

GET YOUR SEASONAL FLU VACCINE NOW AT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN CENTRAL SHENANDOAH

(STAUNTON, Va.) –Seasonal flu vaccine is available and being offered by appointment only in each health department within the Central Shenandoah Health District. The fee for the vaccine is $30 per dose and is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. more>>


October 18, 2011

GET YOUR SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AT THE HENRY-MARTINSVILLE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN MARTINSVILLE

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – Starting this week, the Henry-Martinsville Health Department will offer seasonal flu vaccine on a walk-in basis at the health department offices at 295 Commonwealth Blvd. in Martinsville. No appointment is needed. The vaccine will be available each Monday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.; and each Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. more>>


October 18, 2011

HEALTH DISTRICT OFFERS COMMUNITY HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM, BEGINNING OCTOBER 25
-Sharing Knowledge About Health Issues and Healthcare Resources-

(WISE, Va.) – The LENOWISCO Health District is pleased to announce an exciting, new, free health promotion training program funded by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. The District will partner with local faith-based organizations to offer the Community Health Ambassadors Program (CHAP), an eight-week free health promotion training series that focuses on health issues, educational and healthcare resources in the community and how individuals can share what they learn with others in their families and communities. more>>


September 26, 2011

WEST PIEDMONT HEALTH DISTRICT AND LOCAL VETERINARIANS URGE PET VACCINATIONS AGAINST RABIES

(Martinsville, Va.) – The West Piedmont Health District (Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties) and local veterinarians are urging people to “Protect the Ones You Love; Vaccinate for Rabies!” This important message is the focus of this year’s Rabies Awareness Week, Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2011. more>>


September 21, 2011

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND VETERINARIANS URGE PET VACCINATIONS AGAINST RABIES

(Roanoke, Va.) – TheRoanoke and Alleghany Health Districts, the Roanoke Valley Veterinary Medical Association and local veterinarians are urging people to “Protect the Ones You Love. Vaccinate Your Pets.” This important message is the focus of this year’s Rabies Awareness Week, Sept. 26 to Oct. 2. more>>


September 21, 2011

TWO MORE ANIMAL RABIES CASES CONFIRMED IN TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(TAZEWELL, Va.) – The Tazewell County Health Department has confirmed that a skunk collected September 19, 2011 from the Sweetbrier Ln. area of the Burke’s Garden community and a bat collected the same day from the Middle Creek area of Cedar Bluff tested positive for rabies infection. Seven cases of animal rabies – including these two – have now been confirmed in Tazewell County this year. more>>


September 16, 2011

BAT IN LEE COUNTY CONFIRMED RABID

(JONESVILLE, Va.) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that a bat collected in August in the Cumberland Gap Historical Park was rabid. The bat was found dead in a cave by a U.S. Park Service employee and tested by CDC. more>>


September 16, 2011

FREE DIABETES CLASSES OFFERED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

(WISE, Va.) – The LENOWISCO Health District has good news about diabetes. People who keep their blood glucose as close to normal as possible in the early years after they are diagnosed with diabetes have fewer problems with their eyes, nerves, and kidneys, and fewer heart problems later in life. more>>


September 16, 2011

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE BEGINNING THIS MONTH AT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

(WISE, Va.) – The 2011-2012 flu season is just around the corner and local health departments are gearing up to offer this year’s flu vaccine at clinics in all local offices and at community locations such as businesses, organizations and schools throughout the district. Businesses and organizations that wish to schedule flu vaccine clinics for 10 or more individuals at their location should contact their local health department. more>>


September 12, 2011

HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OFFER FREE, CONFIDENTIAL HIV TESTING ON SEPTEMBER 27
— Testing for sexually transmitted illnesses also is available weekly —

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 the West Piedmont Health District will hold special clinics to provide free, confidential testing for HIV. These clinics will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. more>>


September 9, 2011

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE BEGINNING THIS MONTH AT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – The 2011-2012 flu season is just around the corner and local health departments are gearing up to offer this year’s flu vaccine at clinics in all local offices. more>>


July 7, 2011

RABID CAT CONFIRMED IN HENRY COUNTY

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – An adult cat in the vicinity of Spruce Pine Ln., near the intersection of Route 57 West and Bowens Creek Rd. in Henry County, has been confirmed to be rabid. The cat – described as gray with some small areas of tan and white, and limping in its hindquarters – reportedly bit three people. The cat was found dead on Sunday, July 3, 2011 and was sent for rabies testing on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Lab results received today confirmed the presence of rabies. more>>


July 7, 2011

RED FOX BITE IN BOTETOURT COUNTY

(FINCASTLE, Va.) – On Saturday, July 2, 2011 Botetourt County Animal Control received a report that a red fox ran into a yard on Mt. Pleasant Church Rd. in Botetourt County, attacked and bit a person, then ran into the woods and has not been seen since. There are no additional reported incidents of direct contact with this fox by humans or domestic animals at this time. more>>


July 5, 2011

FOX ATTACKS PUPPY AND OWNER IN ROCKY MOUNT

(ROCKY MOUNT, Va.) – A gray fox attacked a puppy on Sunday, July 3, 2011 on Sunset Ridge Rd. in Rocky Mount. During this attack the puppy’s owner also was bitten by the fox, which then disappeared into the forest and is still at large. Sunset Ridge Rd. is located near the intersection of Rt. 40 West and Six Mile Post Rd. in Rocky Mount. more>>


June 16, 2011

NUTRITION CLINIC OPENS JUNE 21 IN AXTON FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Open each third Tuesday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church

(AXTON, VA) — The West Piedmont Health District (Virginia Department of Health) will open a satellite clinic for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) beginning June 21, 2011. more>>


June 10, 2011

LENOWISCO HEALTH DISTRICT RECOMMENDS HANDLING FOOD SAFELY WHILE OUTDOORS

(WISE, Va.) — This time of year many people plan and attend picnics, cookouts, and other outdoor parties, but eating outdoors in warm weather presents a food safety challenge. Harmful bacteria that can be in food grow faster at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F, so the basics of food safety are especially important when outdoors in the heat. more>>


June 10, 2011

SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, IN COOPERATION WITH THE SCOTT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND AREA VETERINARIANS, ANNOUNCES RABIES CLINICS

(GATE CITY, Va.) — The Scott County Board of Supervisors in cooperation with the Scott County Health Department and area veterinarians are having rabies clinics in several locations, Monday, June 13, 2011 through Friday, June 17, 2011. more>>


June 3, 2011

WEST PIEDMONT HEALTH DISTRICT EARNS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RECOGNITION
West Piedmont Health District is Honored as “Public Health Ready”

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) — As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized West Piedmont Health District for its ability to respond to public health emergencies. more>>


May 26, 2011

Charlottesville-Albemarle Health Department Informing Residents of Possible Measles Exposure on Friday, May 20, 2011

(Charlottesville, Va.) Out of an abundance of caution, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Health Department is informing the public of two cases of measles because there may have been exposures in the community.more>>


May 18, 2011

RABID RACCOON IN BURKE’S GARDEN AREA OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(TAZEWELL, Va.) – The Tazewell County Health Department has received confirmation that a raccoon collected May 10, 2011 from the Litz Lane area of the Burke’s Garden community tested positive for rabies infection. This is the second confirmed case of animal rabies in Tazewell County this year. more>>


May 2, 2011

MANAGING DIABETES: IT’S NOT EASY, BUT IT’S WORTH IT
-Lee, Scott and Wise Co. Health Depts. offer free diabetes classes-

(NORTON, Va.) – The LENOWISCO Health District has good news about diabetes. People who keep their blood glucose as close to normal as possible in the early years after they are diagnosed with diabetes have fewer problems with their eyes, nerves, and kidneys, and fewer heart problems later in life. more>>


April 29, 2011

REGION’S HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS RECEIVE PERTUSSIS UPDATE

(BLOUNTVILLE, Tn.) – Yesterday, the Mountain Empire Epidemiology Task Force conducted a continuing education conference titled “Pertussis Update – Preventing Whooping Cough Outbreaks.” Pertussis has been on the rise in recent years, increasing 72 percent in Virginia from 2009 to 2010, and nearly tripling in Tennessee between 2007 and 2010. More than 40 family practice providers, pediatricians, hospital emergency room clinicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurse practitioners and nurses discussed the clinical aspects of pertussis and public health preparedness and response to outbreaks, including the recent outbreak that sickened more than 30 people in Floyd County, Virginia. The conference was held at the Sullivan County Health Department in Blountville, Tennessee. more>>


April 26, 2011

LENOWISCO hEALTH dISTRICT Receives Grant from komen TRI-CITIES AFFILIATE TO MAKE BREAST HEALTH SERVICES MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

(WISE, Va.) – The Tri-Cities Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has awarded $37,174 to the LENOWISCO Health District to provide breast screening and diagnostic services to women who are uninsured or underinsured, and between the ages of 18 and 64 years. more>>


April 15, 2011

“WOMEN’S AFTERNOON OUT” SUPPORTS BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS

(CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.) – The American Cancer Society’s New River Valley Breast Health Team is hosting “Women’s Afternoon Out”. This fun and informative event will be held on Tuesday, May 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Health Department located at 170 4th St., NW, Pulaski. The event is free. Registration is requested, but not required. more>>


April 13, 2011

KNOW YOUR STATUS: APRIL IS NATIONAL STD AWARENESS MONTH

(LYNCHBURG, Va.) – The Central Virginia Health District recognizes April 2011 as STD Awareness Month. The goal is to raise awareness about the impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), on the health of Central Virginia. STIs pose a serious public health threat, particularly to young women, African Americans, men who have sex with men, and individuals living in poverty or who have limited access to healthcare. more>>


April 1, 2011

BEDFORD COUNTYWIDE RABIES CLINICS

(BEDFORD, Va.) – The Central Virginia Health District announces countywide rabies clinics on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Bedford County. The rabies clinics are supported by the Bedford Humane Society, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control, and local Bedford County veterinarians. The cost for vaccination is $5.00 per animal, cash only. more>>


April 1, 2011

RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC AT SALEM CIVIC CENTER APRIL 16

(SALEM, Va.) – A community-wide rabies vaccination clinic will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Salem Civic Center from 9 a.m. until noon. All area residents are invited to bring their pet dogs and cats to be vaccinated for only five dollars ($5.00) each. Dogs and cats must be three months old or older. Dogs must be on leashes or in carriers; cats must be in carriers. Please bring correct change, cash only. Checks or credit cards cannot be accepted. more>>


March 17, 2011

RABID RACCOON IN GRATTON AREA OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(TAZEWELL, Va.) – The Tazewell County Health Department has received confirmation that a raccoon collected March 15, 2011 from the Elizabeth Road area of the Gratton community tested positive for rabies infection. This is the first confirmed case of animal rabies in Tazewell County this year. Eight animals were confirmed with rabies in Tazewell County in 2010. more>>


February 26, 2011

Loudoun County Health Department Informing Travelers of Possible Measles Exposure at Dulles International Airport on February 20, 2011

(Leesburg, Va.) Out of an abundance of caution, Loudoun County Health Department is informing people who were at Dulles International Airport on Sunday, February 20, 2011, from 3:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the International Arrivals and Baggage Claim level of the Main Terminal that they may have been exposed to a person with measles.  People at risk for exposure on the plane have been identified and are being contacted by their state and/or local health officials. more>>


February 22, 2011

CITIZENS INVITED TO HEALTH ADVISORY MEETING MAR. 10 AT MOUNTAIN EMPIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, BIG STONE GAP

(BIG STONE GAP, Virginia) – The LENOWISCO Health District and your local health departments in Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton are pleased to invite interested individuals to join us in a discussion of health issues, challenges and opportunities in our communities. more>>


February 22, 2011

FEBRUARY IS CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

(WISE, Virginia) – The LENOWISCO Health District is pleased to remind parents and children’s caregivers throughout our area about National Children’s Dental Health Month.  Sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) each February, the purpose of this recognition month is to better educate ourselves about the importance of good oral health for children. more>>


February 22, 2011

FREE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE NOW AT SPECIAL CLINICS AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

(MARTINSVILLE, Virginia) – It is not too late to get a flu shot! The West Piedmont Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a series of special public clinics in February and March, and during regular clinic hours at local health departments. Vaccine is available to everyone over the age of six months, and will be available in injectable form. more>>


February 17, 2011

FREE FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE AT FERRUM COLLEGE, FEB. 19

(MARTINSVILLE, Virginia) – The West Piedmont Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a public clinic on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Ferrum College, in the Trophy Room of the Swartz Gym. The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vaccine is available to everyone over the age of six months, and will be available in injectable form. more>>


February 3, 2011

NEW RIVER HEALTH DISTRICT OFFERS FREE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE

(Christiansburg, VA) – It is not too late to get a flu shot! The New River Health District offers seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages six months and older daily, Monday thru Friday, at no cost to you.  For your convenience, you have the choice of an appointment or you can simply walk-in your local health department.more>>


February 3, 2011

LENOWISCO HEALTH DISTRICT EXPANDS WIC PROGRAM
(Wise, VA) – The LENOWISCO Health District is pleased to announce the re-opening of satellite clinic locations to offer WIC (Women, Infants and Children) assistance to families.

WIC, a food and nutrition program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers free, nutritious food and nutritional information to eligible pregnant and postpartum women and to children from birth to five years of age. This initiative is an effort to reach out to families to bring a very valuable, free service closer to home in order to make it more accessible and convenient for families to participate. more>>


February 2, 2011

FREE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE AT FEBRUARY CLINICS

(Wise, VA) – It is not too late to get a flu shot! The Lenowisco Health District will offer seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages six months and up at a series of vaccine clinics in February. All of the following clinics are walk-in, no appointment required, and are at no cost to the patient. The clinics will begin February 2, 2011, run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and will continue until the limited vaccine supply is gone. more>>


January 27, 2011

PITTSYLVANIA/DANVILLE AND SOUTHSIDE HEALTH DISTRICTS EARN PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RECOGNITION
Health Districts honored as “Public Health Ready”

(DANVILLE, Va.) – As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the Pittsylvania/Danville and Southside Health Districts for their planning and proven ability to respond to public health emergencies. more>>


January 25, 2011

ROANOKE CITY AND ALLEGHANY HEALTH DISTRICTS EARN PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RECOGNITION
Health Districts honored as “Public Health Ready”

(ROANOKE, Va.) – As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts for their planning and proven ability to respond to public health emergencies. more>>


January 24, 2011

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU HEALTH DISTRICT EARNS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RECOGNITION
Cumberland Plateau Health District is honored as “Public Health Ready”

(LEBANON, Va.) – As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized Cumberland Plateau Health District for its planning and proven ability to respond to public health emergencies. more>>