2014 Statewide News Releases

November 24, 2014

Health Officials Kick Off “100 Congregations for Million Hearts”

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (VDH-OMHHE) today kicked off its “100 Congregations for Million Hearts” faith-based campaign. This initiative is designed to help guide more Virginians toward a heart-healthy lifestyle by enlisting the support of faith-based organizations to help raise awareness and prevent cardiovascular disease by focusing on hypertension control. more>>


November 18, 2014

GOVERNOR’S EMS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT 35th ANNUAL VIRGINIA EMS SYMPOSIUM

(RICHMOND, Va.) – The 2014 Governor’s EMS Award winners were recently announced at the 35th Annual Governor’s EMS Awards Ceremony in Norfolk, Va. Governor Terry McAuliffe recognized 10 outstanding EMS providers and organizations from across the Commonwealth for their excellence in EMS and dedication to the system. more>>


November 17, 2014

More Babies Thriving in Virginia
Aided and Supported by Public/Private Partnerships

(RICHMOND) –In celebration of World Prematurity Awareness Day, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) announce a major improvement in the well-being of babies born in Virginia. The state has seen a decrease of 18.2 percent in infant mortality, from 2007 to 2012, which means nearly 200 more babies a year are thriving and celebrating their first birthday. Strong collaborative networks among public, private and non-profit organizations focusing on evidence-based methods of reducing the mortality rates have played a significant role in achieving this reduction. more>>


November 6, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Online Training for Veterans and their Families

(Richmond, Va.) Post-deployment life can be challenging for veterans and their families, and both need support during this transition. Challenges can include PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and suicidal thoughts. Estimates show that Virginia active duty and veterans have a combined suicide rate of 25.6 per 100,000. By comparison, the overall rate for Virginia civilians over ages 18 and over was 13.0 for the same time period (Virginia Violent Death Reporting System, 2012). The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Suicide Prevention Program offers Family of Heroes, an online simulationthat gives families of Virginia’s veterans and active duty service members the chance to learn critical skills to manage the challenges of adjusting to post-deployment life. more>>


October 27, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Policy for Active Monitoring of All Returning Travelers from Countries Affected by Ebola Outbreak

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that starting today, Monday, October 27, the Virginia Department of Health will actively monitor the health of all travelers arriving from the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, which are battling an unprecedented Ebola outbreak. This effort will build on extensive outreach and monitoring already underway by the state health department and the local health districts. more>>


October 21, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Provides Ebola Information in Multiple Formats 877-ASK VDH3 Ebola Hotline Now Open

(Richmond, Va.) The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) opened an Ebola Hotline today to help answer questions from the public and provide the most up-to-date information to Virginians.

The number — 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343) — is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Virginia’s 211 Call Center will be handling these calls using frequently asked questions (FAQs) developed by VDH.more>>


October 20, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Kicks Off 31-Day Countdown to Quit Smoking
Tips and Resources Help Smokers Plan for a Successful Quit

(Richmond, Va.) The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is launching its Countdown to Quit Day, October 20, to help tobacco users prepare for Virginia Quit Day, November 20. Tips and support will be posted on the VDH Facebook page each day leading up to Virginia Quit Day. People can commit to quitting, like the page and receive daily encouragement. more>>


October 17, 2014

Commonwealth Taking Additional Steps to Safeguard Against Ebola
~Governor McAuliffe pledges to provide interagency approach to manage the threat~

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that the Commonwealth is taking additional steps to strengthen the level of preparedness for the Ebola virus by mobilizing a statewide unified command group. This group is responsible for coordinating resources and personnel. more>>


September 23, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESCINDS EMERGENCY CLOSING OF JAMES RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the emergency condemnation of the James River adjacent to Newport News – initially closed on September 9 – is reopened effective immediately. This action returns all James River harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the September 9 emergency closure. more>>


September 19, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATES CLOSURE OF SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that a portion of the James River will be opened to harvesting shellfish effective September 20, 2014. This change modifies the emergency closure that was put into effect September 9, 2014. more>>


September 16, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Announces Statewide Child Car Seat Check Events
National Child Passenger Safety Week September 14-20, 2014

(Richmond, Va.) Making sure children are secured in car seats saves lives. But for a child safety seat to work correctly, it must be appropriate for the child’s age and size, installed properly in the vehicle, and adjusted to fit the child securely. more>>


September 9, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES A PORTION OF THE JAMES RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that a portion of the James River will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to flooding and contamination from sewage spills. more>>


June 30, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Kicks off Summer Food Program for Kids
Free Summer Meals for Kids are in Session

(Richmond, Va.) School may be out for the summer, but for many children across Virginia, hunger does not take a break. Thanks to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Virginia Department of Health, many children in Virginia are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch this summer. more>>


June 24, 2014

VDH AND Walgreens collaboration offers free, Pharmacist-led
HIV testing statewide daily

(RICHMOND, Va.)- Getting an HIV test just got easier. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Walgreens recently announced a collaborative effort to offer rapid HIV testing at no charge through 2016 at select Walgreens locations throughout the Commonwealth. more>>


June 13, 2014

Cigarette Smoking among Va. High School Students Down
Latest Youth Survey Shows Continued Decline in Tobacco Use

RICHMOND The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced Friday that youth smoking rates in Virginia have plummeted to an all-time low. more>>


June 3, 2014

Virginia Department of Health Issues Consumer Advisory on Marva Maid Milk Products Dated May 30 to June 2

(Richmond, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) advises consumers to not consume any Marva Maid Dairy milk in ½ pint containers with sell by dates from May 30 through June 2, 2014. This is advised due to an active investigation that began on May 28, 2014, when VDH received a complaint regarding milk with an off taste and odor from Henrico County School District in Richmond, Virginia. The school district reported several people feeling sick after drinking milk produced and distributed by Marva Maid Dairy located in Newport News, Virginia.more>>


May 23, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REOPENS UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the upper portion of the Rappahannock River, closed to shellfish harvesting on May 17 due to heavy rains and flooding, is reopened effective immediately. This action returns all Rappahannock River harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the May 17 emergency closure. more>>


May 21, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFICIALS EXPAND INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURES
Virginia Department of Health Working with District of Columbia and Maryland

(Leesburg, Va.)— Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are investigating potential exposures to a second person with measles in the National Capital Region. This effort expands the recent investigation of a measles case in late April 2014 in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. The second case of measles was confirmed in a person who was a close contact of the first case. National Capital Region health officials are mounting a coordinated effort to identify people who may have been exposed to this second case. more>>


May 16, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES PORTION OF RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

Second closure of area this month due to heavy rains

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that a portion of the Rappahannock River will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to flooding. The emergency closure is effective May 17 through May 31, 2014, although the area may be reopened earlier if water quality monitoring results indicate that the area is no longer unsafe. more>>


May 16, 2014

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK CELEBRATES VIRGINIA’S DEDICATED PROVIDERS
May 18 – 24 is EMS Week in Virginia

(RICHMOND, Va.) During your most desperate hour of need, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are one of the first responders to arrive on the scene. Providers are dedicated to delivering quality care from the time a call is received at the 911 center until the patient’s arrival at the hospital. Last year, EMS providers responded to nearly 1.3 million calls for help in Virginia, approximately 3,521 incidents per day. more>>


May 12, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESCINDS EMERGENCY CLOSING OF UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the emergency condemnation of the upper portion of the Rappahannock River is rescinded effective immediately. This action returns all Rappahannock River harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the May 1 emergency closure. more>>


May 8, 2014

Health Commissioner Announces State and Regional Public Health Nurses of the Year
Fairfax, Chesterfield and Wise County Nurses Recognized for Outstanding Service

(RICHMOND, Va.)—State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Robert Hicks, Deputy Commission for Community Health Services and Joanne Wakeham, RN, PhD, Director, Public Health Nursing today recognized Laura Suzuki, public health nurse in the Fairfax County Health District, as Public Health Nurse of the Year for the Virginia Department of Health. more>>


May 6, 2014

VIRGINIA HEALTH OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURES IN TWO COUNTIES
Northern Virginia Health Departments Are Working Together to Identify People Who Are at Risk

(Leesburg, Va.)— Out of an abundance of caution, the Loudoun and Fairfax County Health Departments are informing people who were at various locations in Loudoun County and Fairfax County between April 23 and May 1, 2014 that they may have been exposed to a person with measles.Northern Virginia area health officials are mounting a coordinated effort to identify people who may have been exposed. more>>


May 1, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES A PORTION OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that a portion of the Rappahannock River will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to flooding. The emergency closure is effective May 1 through May 15, 2014, though the area may be reopened earlier if water quality monitoring results indicate that the area is no longer unsafe. more>>


March 7, 2014

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TAKES ACTION TO REDUCE HIV/AIDS
New campaign empowers women.

(Richmond, Va.) The most recent surveillance data collected by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)indicates that 6,600 women are living with HIV disease in Virginia.Forty-eight percent of those cases progressed to an AIDS diagnosis by the end of last year. This data shines a light on the impact that HIV has upon women. more>>


January 29, 2014

Enhancements to WIC Program will Benefit Participants and State
Virginia Issues EBT Cards and Launches New Management Information System

(Richmond, Va.) This past November, the Commonwealth of Virginia introduced a new system to manage eligibility and business functions for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), while simultaneously transitioning from a paper voucher system to an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT card, system.more>>


January 23, 2014

Funding Available for Organizations Serving Summer Meals to Virginia Children
Deadline to apply for this year’s Summer Food Service Program is April 25, 2014

(Richmond, VA) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is looking for financially viable organizations that can serve meals to children during the summer months. Organizations that participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will be reimbursed by VDH for the meals that are served. Participating sponsors will also be reimbursed for certain allowable administrative costs associated with serving the meals. In addition, all participating organizations receive technical assistance from VDH staff. All participating sponsors are required to attend the SFSP training provided by VDH. Training dates will be publicized on VDH’s SFSP website when finalized. more>>


January 6, 2014

Take Precautions in Extreme Cold Weather

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages everyoneto protect themselves against serious health problems that can result from prolonged exposure to the cold.

“When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced, causing cold-weather health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia,” said State Health Commissioner Cynthia Romero, MD, FAAFP. “Neither of these conditions should be taken lightly, and all Virginians should take the necessary steps to lower their risk of exposure.” more>>


<< View Older News Releases