2017 Regional News Releases

October 26, 2017

Interested in Taking Better Care of Your Diabetes? Free Classes Can Help You Do It!

(WISE, Va.) – While getting diabetes under control may seem like a giant challenge, help is available for you or your loved one to achieve better control and better health. It’s not as hard as you might think. The LENOWISCO Health District can help. Each local health department will be offering diabetes workshops on how to better manage diabetes. In November, a series of four different diabetes education classes will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in moving toward better control of diabetes. more>>


October 24, 2017

Eastern Shore Health Officials Report Results from the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off Salmonella Investigation

(Accomac, Va.) –The Accomack County Health Department and the Foodborne Disease Epidemiology Team from the Virginia Department of Health continue to investigate a Salmonella outbreak following the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off held Saturday, September. 30, 2017. more>>


October 5, 2017

Lord Fairfax Health District Encourages Vaccination to Avoid the Flu

(Winchester, Va.) — Shorter days, leaves changing color and sweater weather are all signs that fall is here! Can flu season be far behind? While we can’t stop the cooler weather, the Lord Fairfax Health District does suggest a way to deal with flu season: get a flu shot! Getting a flu shot every year is the single best way to prevent the flu. more>>


October 4, 2017

LENOWISCO Health District Breast Health Programs—Early Screening Saves Lives

(WISE, Va.) — October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women in the United States. About one in eight American women will get breast cancer at some point in their life. more>>


October 4, 2017

LENOWISCO Health District Breast Health Programs—Early Screening Saves Lives

(WISE, Va.) — October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women in the United States. About one in eight American women will get breast cancer at some point in their life. According to the Virginia Cancer Registry (December 2016), the LENOWISCO Health District has an age-adjusted breast cancer mortality rate of 23.3 per 100,000; which is slightly higher than the Virginia state age-adjusted rate of 22.4 per 100,000. We have made a lot of progress as a health district, but still have a long way to go and need everyone’s help! We CAN still make a difference; spread the message about screening and early detection, and encourage families and individuals to get involved. more>>


September 25, 2017

Health Department Offers Free Flu Vaccination Clinics in October

(Culpeper, Va.)— Getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against the flu. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District will offer free flu shots at three locations this October. more>>


September 15, 2017

Rappahannock Area Health District Offers Free Flu Shots at State Fair
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Flu Shot Clinic Starts at 10 a.m.

(Fredericksburg, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health’s Rappahannock Area Health District will offer free flu shots on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 10 a.m. during the State Fair of Virginia at the Meadow Event Park. The Flu Clinic will take place in the Farm Bureau Center Exhibition Hall on Festival Loop.  About 400 doses of vaccine will be available, and will be offered to anyone 18 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis, until 7 p.m. or until the supply of flu shots runs out. more>>


September 12, 2017

Lord Fairfax Health District Offers Tips for Taking Care of Septic Systems

(WINCHESTER, Va.) – One in four households in the U.S. has a septic system. It’s not something we think about – until something goes wrong. Everyday habits and regular maintenance can keep the system running smoothly and prevent harmful and costly damages. more>>


September 12, 2017

Thomas Jefferson Health District to Provide Free Rescue Medication for Opioid Overdoses

(Charlottesville, Va.) — In an effort to prevent fatal opioid overdoses, the Thomas Jefferson Health District (serving the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties) will launch a program to distribute free Naloxone (also known as NARCAN), a fast-acting, safe and easy-to-administer nasal spray that can restore breathing and reduce the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdoses. A family member, bystander, first responder or medical provider can administer naloxone and save lives. more>>


September 11, 2017

Free Flu Shots at White Oak Fire Station – Saturday, Sept. 23

(Fredericksburg, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health’s Rappahannock Area Health District will offer free flu shots Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. until noon at the White Oak Fire Station, 12 Newton Road in Fredericksburg. The Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia is hosting the event for the second year in a row. All are welcome to come receive their free annual flu shot; you do not have to be a member of the tribe. more>>


August 8, 2017

Rappahannock Area Health District Receives Grant to Help Women Detect Cancer

(Fredericksburg, Va.) — The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) was recently awarded a one-year, $18,276 grant from the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation for RAHD’s Every Woman’s Life (EWL) Program to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast and cervical cancer. The EWL program is a public health program that helps uninsured, low-income women gain access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services. Screening and early detection reduce death rates, improve treatment options and generally increase survival. more>>


July 27, 2017

Prince William Health District Urges Taking Steps to Prevent Mosquito Bites
Residents Reminded to Eliminate Standing Water and Protect Against Insect Bites

Prince William County – Mosquitoes are more than bothersome pests during our outdoor summer activities. They can carry diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika. The Prince William Health District offers information and suggestions on how to protect yourself and your family from the bite of these pests, and the diseases they carry. more>>


July 5, 2017

Lord Fairfax EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

 (WINCHESTER, Va.) – The Lord Fairfax Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. honored and recognized the remarkable level of service and dedication by the region’s EMS personnel at the annual awards ceremony June 21. Outstanding achievement awards were provided to those who were nominated by their peers for their noteworthy accomplishments in the EMS field. more>>


July 5, 2017

Blue Ridge EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(LYNCHBURG, Va.) – The Blue Ridge Emergency Medical Services (BREMS) Council, Inc. held its regional EMS awards June 14 at the City View by the James in Lynchburg. The council celebrated its EMS personnel for their devoted service to the region’s EMS system and awarded those, nominated by their peers, for their commendable achievements in the field. more>>


July 5, 2017

Southwest Virginia EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(BRISTOL, Va.) – The Southwest Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. paid tribute to its region’s EMS personnel June 17 at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion. The council presented top honors to those who were nominated by their peers for their remarkable accomplishments in the EMS field. more>>


July 5, 2017

Rappahannock EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(FREDERICKSBURG, Va.) – The Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services Council (REMS), Inc. recognized the remarkable level of commitment and dedication shown by its regional EMS personnel at the annual awards ceremony June 14 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle. The council awarded those, nominated by their peers, for their noteworthy achievements in the EMS field. more>>


June 26, 2017

Northern Virginia EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(GAINESVILLE, Va.) – The Northern Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. honored recipients of the annual Regional EMS awards, June 8, at the Fairfax Fire Department in Fairfax. The council celebrated its local EMS personnel and awarded nominees who were considered by their peers to possess exceptional levels of service. more>>


June 26, 2017

Central Shenandoah EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(STAUNTON, Va.) – The Central Shenandoah Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. celebrated its regional EMS personnel and recognized their dedication and commitment at the council’s Regional EMS Awards ceremony, June 7, at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton. more>>


June 16, 2017

Old Dominion EMS Alliance Recognizes Excellence in EMS 

(RICHMOND, Va.) – The Old Dominion Emergency Medical Services Alliance (ODEMSA) celebrated the dedication and service of its personnel at the council’s regional EMS awards ceremony held Saturday, May 20, at the Richmond Metro Zoo in Chesterfield. Regional award winners were nominated by their peers for their high level of achievements in the EMS field. more>>


June 15, 2017

Tidewater EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(NORFOLK, Va.) – The Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc., celebrated the regional EMS awards, June 4, at Harbor Park Stadium in Norfolk. The council presented top honors to those individuals who were considered for their remarkable contributions to the EMS field. more>>


June 15, 2017

Thomas Jefferson EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(Charlottesville, Va.) – The Thomas Jefferson Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc., recognized the tremendous level of service and dedication provided by the region’s EMS personnel on Wednesday, May 10, at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s Kessler Conference Room in Charlottesville. The nominees were awarded for their remarkable accomplishments in the EMS field. more>>


June 15, 2017

Western Virginia EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

(ROANOKE, Va.) – The Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc., paid tribute to local EMS personnel for their selfless acts of service at the council’s annual awards ceremony, May 23, at the American Legion in Salem. Regional award winners were nominated by their peers for their high level of achievements in the EMS field. more>>


June 15, 2017

Peninsulas EMS Council Recognizes Excellence in EMS

 (GLOUCESTER, Va.) – The Peninsulas Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc., recognized its regional EMS personnel for their notable level of service provided to the community at the annual EMS Day celebration at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Saturday, May 27. more>>


May 22, 2017

Piedmont Health District Urges Rabies Awareness

(Farmville, Va.) – The warmer spring and summer months provide a great opportunity to enjoy Virginia’s natural heritage by spending time outdoors.  Greater time spent outdoors may also increase the likelihood that you or your pets will encounter wildlife.  While rabies is diagnosed in certain animals more than others, any mammal can get rabies and rabies kills almost any mammal that gets sick from it.  That’s why it’s important to take some basic precautions to help protect you and your pets from being infected. more>>


March 31, 2017

Community Services Boards and Local Health Departments Join Together to Provide Rescue Medication for Opioid Overdoses

(STAUNTON, Va.) – In November, State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP, declared the Virginia opioid crisis a Public Health Emergency. In 2014, for the first time in Virginia, more people died from opioid overdoses than fatal car accidents, and the statistics compiled thus far for 2016 are equally grim. In the first half of 2016, emergency department visits for heroin overdoses increased 89 percent as compared with the same period in 2015, and fatal drug overdoses across the state increased by 35 percent. more>>


March 31, 2017

Community Services Boards and Local Health Departments Join Together to Provide Rescue Medication for Opioid Overdoses

(STAUNTON, Va.) – In November, State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP, declared the Virginia opioid crisis a Public Health Emergency. In 2014, for the first time in Virginia, more people died from opioid overdoses than fatal car accidents, and the statistics compiled thus far for 2016 are equally grim. In the first half of 2016, emergency department visits for heroin overdoses increased 89 percent as compared with the same period in 2015, and fatal drug overdoses across the state increased by 35 percent. more>>


March 30, 2017

Meet New River Health District’s New Health Director Noelle Bissell at New Radford City Health Department Open House, April 14

(RADFORD, Va.) – The New River Health District would like to announce that after an exhaustive nationwide search, Noelle Bissell, M.D., has been selected as the district’s new health director. more>>


March 30, 2017

West Piedmont Health District Highlights Vital Services During Public Health Week

(MARTINSVILLE, Virginia) – In celebration of National Public Health Week (April 1 – 9), the West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) is bringing awareness of vital health department services. more>>


March 28, 2017

New River Health District and CDC Work Together to Reduce Hepatitis C

(CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.) – The New River Valley has elevated rates of acute hepatitis C and numbers are increasing every year. more>>


March 28, 2017

Fredericksburg Residents: Take a Survey to Improve Health in the Community
“CHA-CHIP” Process Needs Community Participation for Success

(Fredericksburg, Va.)— What would improve your health and quality of life in Fredericksburg? That’s what a new survey aims to find out. Take a short online survey to give your input on health needs and issues in the community. more>>


March 27, 2017

Community Services Boards and Local Health Departments Provide Rescue Medication for Opioid Overdoses

(STAUNTON, Va.) – In November 2016, State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP, declared the Virginia opioid crisis a public health emergency. In 2014, for the first time in Virginia, more people died from opioid overdoses than fatal car accidents, and the statistics compiled thus far for 2016 are equally grim. In the first half of 2016, emergency department visits for heroin overdoses increased 89 percent as compared with the same period in 2015, and fatal drug overdoses across the state increased by 35 percent. more>>


March 27, 2017

Southside Health District Kicks Off 2017 Community Health Assessment

(Boydton, Va.) – The Southside Health District is conducting a Community Health Assessment (CHA) to better understand the life and health of residents in the community, along with many other counties and cities across Virginia. The CHA reviews the environment and resources where people live, work, learn and play. more>>


March 21, 2017

Health Department: No New Meningitis Cases

(CHILHOWIE, Va.) — On March 8, 2017 three probable cases of meningococcal meningitis, a serious and sometimes fatal illness, were reported in individuals associated with Chilhowie Elementary School. Since that time, no further cases of meningitis have been reported. more>>


March 20, 2017

Henrico County Health Department Kicks Off 2017 Community Health Assessment

(Henrico, Va.) – The Henrico County Health Department is currently in the process of conducting a Community Health Assessment (CHA) to better understand the life and health of residents in the community. A CHA reviews the environment and resources where people live, work, learn and play. more>>


March 17, 2017

Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department To Offer A Free
Safe Food Handling Class

(Charlottesville, Va.) – In an effort to help community members learn how to safely prepare and serve food, the Thomas Jefferson Health District’s (TJHD) Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department will host a free Safe Food Handling Class on Monday, March 27, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The class is for anyone who shops, prepares, or serves food to the public, including foodservice industry workers – chefs, cooks, servers – and anyone who cooks and serves food at festivals, fairs, farmers markets, schools, faith-based organizations, and civic groups. more>>


March 16, 2017

Attend REVIVE! Training, Save a Life Following an Opioid Overdose

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — The New River Health District joins other sponsoring agencies to offer a training session on how to save the life of a family member or friend who has overdosed on opioids, either accidentally or intentionally. The free, one-hour session, called REVIVE!, will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m. at the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center at Radford University, at the intersection of Jefferson and Clement Street in Radford. more>>


February 23, 2017

Southside Health District Warns of Rabies Concerns

In order to protect the health of the residents and visitors, the Southside Health District (SSHD) has received confirmation that the remains of a stray cat tested positive for rabies infection. A cat found Monday, February 20 in the area of the 1400 Block of Stebbins Street in South Boston, Va. has tested positive for rabies. more>>


January 30, 2017

Mary Washington Hospital Community Benefit Fund Awards $100,000 Grant to the Rappahannock Area Health District

(Fredericksburg, Va.)— In January 2017, the Mary Washington Hospital Community Benefit Fund awarded the Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) a $100,000 grant for its “Complicated Obstetrical and High Risk Maternity Care Program.” more>>


January 23, 2017

Rappahannock Area Health District Protects its Community Through National “Public Health Ready” Recognition Program

Fredericksburg, Va. – Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. RAHD demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RAHD joins a cohort of more than 450 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. more>>


January 4, 2017

Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department to Host Saturday Sexual Health Testing Clinic

(Charlottesville, Va.) – In an effort to help people take control of their health in the New Year, the Thomas Jefferson Health District’s (TJHD) Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department will host a Free Sexual Health Testing Clinic on Saturday, January 7, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Community members can walk-in to this clinic to receive free screenings for common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis, and in certain instances, Hepatitis B and C virus. Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing will also be available with results in twenty minutes. more>>