FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 15, 2026
Media Contact:  Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Report the First Pediatric Flu Death of the 2025–2026 Season

RICHMOND, Va. – Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the first influenza-associated pediatric death for the 2025–26 influenza (flu) season in Virginia. Sadly, a preschool-age child (0-4 years) in VDH’s Eastern Region died from complications associated with flu. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the child.

“We at the Virginia Department of Health, are broken hearted and extend our sympathies to the family of this child during this difficult time,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “Even though the flu is common, it can cause serious illness and even death. I urge everyone who is eligible to receive the flu vaccine to do so not only to protect themselves, but to protect those around them.”

VDH recommends the following tips to prevent the flu:

• Most people aged six months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine. Consult your healthcare provider as needed.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow rather than your open hand.
• Stay at home when you feel sick.

People at increased risk for flu complications should speak with a healthcare provider when symptoms begin to see if antiviral treatment is recommended. Treatment works best when started within two days after symptoms begin. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms become severe.

As of January 10, the level of respiratory illnesses is moderate in Virginia. Although flu activity has been trending down in recent weeks, flu season is far from over. Virginia is still reporting surges in emergency department (ED) visits (5.4% or 4,676 visits) for flu. To date, flu outbreaks have significantly impacted daycares/Pre-K facilities, schools, and long-term care facilities.

Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most frequently reported viruses in circulation so far this season. A new influenza A(H3N2) subclade, named “subclade K”, was identified in August, and differs from the H3N2 component in this season’s flu vaccine. Vaccine effectiveness against subclade K might be reduced, but the vaccine is still expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The vaccine also provides protection against other circulating strains of flu.

With flu activity elevated in Virginia, now is still a good time to get a flu vaccine if you have not already. Less than 30% of eligible Virginians reported receiving a flu vaccine this season. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies, medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers, and local health departments. To learn more, visit the Vaccine Provider Locator.

Last season was the deadliest flu season on record for children in the United States; approximately half of the children who died from influenza did not having an underlying medical condition and 89% were not up to date with recommended flu vaccinations. CDC estimated that during the 2024–25 season, influenza vaccination prevented:

• 4 million flu-related illnesses;
• 4 million flu-related medical visits;
• 170,000 flu-related hospitalizations; and
• 12,000 flu-related deaths.

VDH’s Respiratory Illness dashboard will be next updated January 20.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  – January 11, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating a Confirmed Measles Case in Northern Region

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s second measles case of 2026. The patient is a preschool-age child (0-4 years) in the Northern Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Virginia health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

Listed below are the date, times, and location of the potential exposure site in Virginia:

• Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite, located at 9300 DeWitt Loop in Fort Belvoir, Friday, January 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.

In addition to the above location in Virginia, there is a potential exposure on a train that traveled through several nearby states and Washington, DC as listed below:

• Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 175, from William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA at 9 p.m. to Washington Union Station at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 7.

Additional exposure sites related to this case have been identified in other states.

To date in 2026, Virginia has reported two cases of measles. Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
  • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
  • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected.
• Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider promptly to discuss any questions they might have. People who are not immune to measles might qualify for post-exposure treatments. There is a small timeframe within which these protective post-exposure treatments need to be given to be effective.

• Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.

• If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
• The most likely time you would become sick would be between January 16 to January 30.
• Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –  December 17, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating a Potential Measles Exposure in Central and Southwest Regions
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health was notified of a confirmed measles case in a person who visited the Central and Southwest Regions of Virginia while infectious. The confirmed case is a resident of another state. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

“Vaccination remains the best protection against measles,” said Virginia State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano, D.O., M.P.H, “This latest exposure is a good reminder to check your vaccination status, especially before holiday travel.”

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:

• The Home Depot, located at 250 Frank D. Harris Drive in South Hill, Friday, December 5 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Wagon Wheel Cafe, located at 408 Main St. in Kenbridge, Saturday, December 6 from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lynchburg Livestock Market, located at 243 Livestock Road in Rustburg, Monday, December 8 from 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• McDonald’s, located at 11059 Wards Road, Rustburg, Monday, December 8 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website. Additional exposure sites have been identified in North Carolina.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
  • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
  • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected.
• Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider promptly to discuss any questions or concerns.

• Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.

• If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
• The most likely time you would become sick would be between December 12, 2025 – December 29, 2025.
• Contact your local health department by calling (804) 363-2704 or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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For Immediate Release: December 16, 2025
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Peter Finocchio, Peter.finocchio@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Glenn Youngkin Highlights Progress on Initiatives to Strengthen Nursing Home Oversight, Modernize Operations, and Increase Transparency

Targeted Actions Include Recruitment Efforts, New Leadership Team, and Technological Initiatives

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today highlighted substantial progress made in implementing Executive Order 52, “Strengthening Oversight of Virginia’s Nursing Homes,” signed on August 11, 2025. In just four months, the administration has advanced key initiatives to strengthen nursing home oversight in the Commonwealth. Through this Executive Order, Governor Youngkin directed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), through its Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), to make significant advances toward increasing workforce capacity, strengthening nursing home oversight, modernizing operations, and enhancing transparency. These efforts will improve the quality of care for nearly 33,000 nursing home residents.

“Every Virginian deserves confidence that their loved ones in nursing homes are safe, respected, and receiving the care they deserve,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are taking decisive steps to strengthen oversight, reinforce accountability, and ensure a system worthy of the families who rely on it. I’m grateful to the dedicated teams who are moving quickly and purposefully to deliver these improvements for Virginia.”

“Families place profound trust in the people who care for their loved ones,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “Our focus is on honoring that trust by strengthening the conditions for consistent, respectful care, and this progress reflects a system moving in the right direction for the people who depend on it.”

Key Successes Include: 

Recruitment and Filling of Vacancies 

Over the last several months, OLC initiated a targeted recruitment campaign focused on filling Long-Term Care (LTC) Medical Facility Inspector (MFI) positions, supervisors, and other key roles within OLC. Since August, more than 2,000 applications have been received for OLC positions, with the vast majority for MFIs. To date, OLC has hired 13 LTC MFIs, decreasing the LTC MFI vacancy rate from more than 40 percent to 9 percent. Interviews are ongoing, with the goal of filling all remaining LTC MFI roles or extending offers to qualified individuals by the end of the year.

Additionally, OLC has worked to bolster leadership roles specific to LTC. This includes filling two OLC senior leadership positions, the OLC Office Director and the LTC Division Director, as well as filling two supervisor roles, with more offers pending.

These recruitment efforts translated to success in other OLC divisions outside of LTC, including six additional Acute Care MFIs, an Acute Care Supervisor, a COPN Supervisor, a Complaint Coordinator, and a Training Manager.

In addition, OLC established a dedicated Northern Virginia regional office to house a Northern Virginia inspection team, reducing travel demands and incentivizing recruitment and retention efforts in the region. OLC is on track to fill all open medical facility inspector positions by December 31, 2025, significantly reducing vacancy rates and enabling more timely inspections and complaint resolutions.

Process Modernization Efforts 

A significant step forward in how OLC interacts with stakeholders is the launch of a newly created public Complaint Portal. Through the Complaint Portal, VDH will be able to accept complaints digitally from patients and families, nursing home staff, and other stakeholders, with the goal of increasing transparency for the industry and accountability to the public.

The Complaint Portal launched on December 16, 2025, and is accessible on the VDH OLC website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/licensure-and-certification/.

The portal replaces fax and email as the primary methods of receiving complaints and incidents. Intake by mail, phone, and in person will continue to be accepted. The portal automatically generates a complaint submission reference number that is shared with the complainant, enabling Virginians to reference their complaints and reported incidents.

Enhanced Transparency Measures 

Another improvement is the addition of a prominent link on the OLC website directing visitors to a federal nursing home information portal. This resource includes inspection histories, survey results, and facility performance metrics for nursing homes throughout Virginia.

“VDH takes its responsibility to protect the health and safety of nursing home residents in the Commonwealth very seriously,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “They may be our parents, spouses, siblings, or children, and it’s our job to ensure they’re healthy, safe, and in an environment where they can thrive.”

“This is a prime example of what a team running together in the right direction for the right reason—guaranteeing that there is proper oversight by professionals dedicated to ensuring Virginia’s nursing homes are providing safe and high-quality care—can accomplish in a short amount of time,” said R. Christopher Lindsay, VDH Chief Operating Officer. “I’m so proud of our HR team, these OLC leaders, our IT team, and VDH for coming together to make this happen.”

Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board 

The Board, comprised of providers, geriatricians, advocates, and stakeholders, has been actively advising the Commissioner on ways to elevate standards and promote resident-centered care. The Board has held three productive meetings (September 15, October 23, and November 14, 2025), featuring discussions on value-based purchasing models, office transformations, and policy recommendations to address nursing home quality.

Virginia’s OLC oversees the licensing and monitoring of nearly 300 nursing homes statewide, encompassing nearly 33,000 beds. Facilities undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance with state laws and—when certified for Medicare and Medicaid—federal requirements. OLC’s team of long-term health care professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, dietitians, and social workers, conducts inspections and investigates consumer complaints. In addition to long-term care, OLC licenses and regulates hospitals, hospice services, and home care organizations, and oversees the state’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program and the Cooperative Agreement with Tennessee that guarantees access to health care services in Southwest Virginia.

Learn more about the Office of Licensure and Certification at www.vdh.virginia.gov/licensure-and-certification/.

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