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Former Richmond Henrico Health District Director Takes on a New Leadership Role at the Virginia Department of Health

Posted on by marianhunter

RICHMOND, Va. — Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that Elaine Perry, M.D., former director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) and Central Region health director, is the new Deputy Commissioner for Community Health Services. She succeeds Susan Fischer Davis, M.D., who is retiring after more than four years in the role. A board-certified preventive medicine physician, Dr. Perry has served as RHHD director since July 2022. In October 2024, she expanded her leadership responsibilities by also serving as Central Region health director.

Dr. Perry brings decades of experience in clinical medicine, public health leadership, pharmaceutical safety, and epidemiology to her role. Her career began in the United States Navy, where she served five years on active duty as the senior medical officer at two clinics in Maine. Following her military service, she accepted the position of health director for the Peninsula Health District in Newport News.

A native of upstate New York, Dr. Perry earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, with honors in microbiology, from Penn State University. She attended Dartmouth Medical School and Brown Medical School, graduating with academic distinction. She completed a pediatrics internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth before completing a residency in preventive medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she also earned a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine.

Throughout her tenure at VDH, Dr. Perry has led efforts to strengthen public health infrastructure, advance disease prevention initiatives, and improve the health of communities across Central Virginia.

Dr. Perry assumed her new role as Deputy Commissioner for Community Health Services on June 25.

Safety Tips for Your Next Beach Visit

Posted on by R. Ellick

A safe day at the beach starts with a little planning. Check your local beach advisory before you go to help you choose the safest place to swim. Beach conditions can change quickly after rain or storms, and advisories tell you if bacteria levels are higher than normal. A quick check can help you pick a clean, healthy spot for your family. 

Rip currents are another danger to watch for. They can form even when the ocean looks calm. These fastmoving channels of water often appear near piers or jetties. They can pull swimmers away from shore before they realize what is happening. Look for posted warnings and stay in areas watched by lifeguards. 

Basic safety steps also make a big difference.  

  • Make sure everyone has strong swimming skills.  
  • Always swim with a buddy.  
  • Choose a responsible adult to be the water watcher and keep eyes on children at all times.  
  • Use U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets when needed. 
  • Know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and how to perform CPR. 
  • Don’t drink and swim. Alcohol slows your reflexes and can lead to poor decisions in the water. Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking. 

Good hygiene helps keep beaches clean, too. Shower before and after swimming, wash hands often, and take kids for bathroom breaks every hour. Stay out of the water if you are sick or have open cuts. 

With a few simple steps, you can enjoy the beach and keep you and your loved ones safe. For more safety tips, please visit swimhealthyva.com. 

Virginia Department of Health Expands Measles Outbreak Area to include Cumberland County

Posted on by brookiecrawford

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 25, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Expands Measles Outbreak Area to include Cumberland County
Virginia Health Officials Urge Residents and Visitors to Assess their Immunity

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is geographically expanding the Buckingham County measles outbreak to include Cumberland County. All residents and visitors to these counties should take additional steps to ensure they are protected against measles. In addition to routine vaccination recommendations for children and adults, people who live in or visit Buckingham County, Cumberland County, or surrounding areas should talk with their healthcare provider about additional outbreak vaccination recommendations.

“Piedmont Health District continues to be grateful for the care with which the community has approached this measles outbreak,” said Piedmont Health District Director Maria Almond. “As this outbreak expands to Cumberland County, I ask for the community’s help to stop measles from gaining further ground by ensuring you are vaccinated.”

The outbreak area is expanding at this time because there is recent evidence of community transmission of measles in Cumberland County. No specific public exposure locations have been identified at this time. However, during this ongoing outbreak, Cumberland County residents and visitors are at a higher risk of exposure to measles.

As of June 25, Piedmont Health District is reporting 106 outbreak-associated measles cases and VDH is reporting a total of 129 measles cases statewide in 2026.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Children younger than 12 months of age and others who are not vaccinated are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to someone with measles.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones:

  • Get Vaccinated: The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. If you or a loved one are not up to date with routine MMR vaccinations, contact a healthcare provider or your local health department to schedule a vaccine appointment today. People who live in or visit the Buckingham and Cumberland County area should talk with their healthcare provider about outbreak vaccination recommendations. These recommendations include considering an early MMR dose for infants older than six months of age to provide protection while measles is circulating in the community.
  • Check Your Vaccination Status: To check your vaccination 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.
  • Avoid large gatherings in the outbreak area if you are not vaccinated against measles or are experiencing symptoms of measles. Attendance at large, crowded events can increase your risk of exposure if you are unvaccinated.
  • If you think you might have measles, stay home and call a healthcare provider or your local health department right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead to notify them. This call will help protect other patients and staff.

For updates on the outbreak, please visit the VDH measles dashboard. Updates will be posted Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon.

For more information about measles, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Enjoy Summer Safely: Tips for the Whole Family

Posted on by R. Ellick

School is out – and vacations, swimming, summer camps, and playing outside are in! 

But these activities can cause unwanted health problems such as sunburn, heat-related illness, swimming injuries or drowning, and illness related to tick bites. 

Review this checklist to keep you and your family safe and healthy this summer. 

Protect Your Skin from the Sun  

  • Sunburns are painful, and too much sun can lead to serious health issues, including cancer. 
  • CDC recommends sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection for all skin tones. 
  • Reduce sun exposure between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
  • Apply a thick layer and reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, sweating and toweling off. 
  • Seeking shade, wearing a shirt and hat will also help protect against dangerous UV radiation.  

 Stay Cool 

  • Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact there were more than 4,000 emergency department and urgent care visits for heat-related illness in Virginia last summer.  
  • Heat-related illness ranges from mild (heat cramps) to severe (heat stroke, death). It occurs when the body is unable to properly cool itself.   
  • Tips to avoid heat-related illness when planning to be outside: make sure you pack water to stay hydrated, dress for the heat, take breaks if you need to, and look out for symptoms of overheating, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, or fainting.  

Prepare and Handle Food Correctly 

  • Thaw and marinate food in the refrigerator. Cook food to a safe internal temperature. Store cooked food in a hot holding area (like an insulated container).
  • Keep food cold with ice packs. Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours, or for one hour if the temperatures are higher than 90 degrees.
  • Don’t cross-contaminate.
    • Wash fresh produce before cutting. Use clean utensils and wash/sanitize in between use.
    • Store raw meat on the bottom shelf to avoid meat juices from dripping on other food.
    • Wash your hands before, during and after handling food.
  • Use your grill correctly and outside.
  • Learn more.

Practice Water Safety

  • It’s important to teach children basic water safety skills to prevent drowning. 
  •  Children should: 
    • Understand the differences between swimming pools and open bodies of water, including river currents and ocean undertow.  
    • Learn to swim and know how to jump into water over their heads, tread water for one minute, float on their backs and exit a swimming pool without a ladder. 
  • Adults should: 
    • Always actively watch children when they are in or near water. 
    • Make sure a home pool is gated and locked. 

 Prevent Tick Bites 

When planning to be outside use EPA-approved tick repellants and check for ticks at the end of the day. 

Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations 

Ensure your family is up to date on vaccinations. Illnesses such as measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough can spread quickly in a camp setting.  

Practice Good Hygiene  

Pack hand sanitizer and talk to your child about how to wash their hands.

Prioritizing this list will help ensure a healthy and safe summer. 

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia

Posted on by brookiecrawford

Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport Wednesday, June 17. The person traveled internationally and is an out-of-state resident. 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, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.

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

  • Dulles International Airport (IAD): Concourse C, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB), and in the baggage claim area between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 17.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website. Additional exposure sites have been identified in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

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 site at the date and times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • 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 and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles, you should contact your healthcare provider or call your local health department promptly to discuss any questions you might have. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. A small timeframe exists for these protective post-exposure treatments 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 June 24 and July 8.
    • 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.

To date in 2026, Virginia has reported 129 cases of measles; 106 of these have been associated with an on-going measles outbreak in Buckingham County.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2 then Option 3 “Other”), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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This World Sickle Cell Day, VDH Reminds You to Know Your Trait

Posted on by R. Ellick

Friday, June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited condition. The blood cells are rigid, sticky and shaped like a crescent, rather than like healthy cells that are round a flexible.  People with sickle cell disease often suffer severe chronic pain. The disease can also lead to life-threatening complications. 

SCD is a disease that is passed from parents to children. If two people have the sickle cell trait and they decide to have children, there’s a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with sickle cell disease. It is important to know your trait status. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. A simple blood test can determine whether you are a carrier.  

An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in Virginia live with SCD. It is a disease that affects millions of people throughout the world. SCD primarily affects Black people or people of African descent. Although, people from South and Central America, the Middle East, Italy, and Greece are also impacted.  

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed into law a legislative package that assists parents, teachers and healthcare professionals who support people living with SCD.  The new law, called the Queen Candis Act, is named in honor of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s daughter, Candis Gabriella King. King died at 15-years-old, due to complications related to SCD. The new legislation is designed to: 

  • Provide training for school nurses and coaches 
  • Improve education for individuals supporting SCD patients 
  • Establish Virginia’s sickle cell trait program 
  • Establish the Sickle Cell Coordinated Access program to better connect healthcare providers 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) partners with several health care systems to provide clinical care for people living with SCD. Other programs include the Virginia Statewide Sickle Cell Disease Registry. It is a database designed to help public health officials improve care. The secure database: 

  • Helps improve referrals  
  • Helps healthcare providers learn more about the diseases 
  • Improves healthcare  
  • Supports research 

If you are interested in more information about sickle cell disease, visit the VDH website. 

Men’s Health Month

Posted on by R. Ellick

June is Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about preventable health issues and encouraging men across the Commonwealth to take steps toward healthier lives. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is encouraging men to use available health programs and preventive services to better understand their health and reduce long-term health risks. 

VDH also wants men to get regular checkups and take care of their health. Start today. Even small changes can help you feel better and stay healthy. 

  • Check your blood pressure and get regular health checkups. 
  • Talk to a friend, family member or doctor about your health goals. They can help you stay on track. 
  • Be active. Try to walk every day, even if it is just for 20 to 30 minutes. Walking can help your heart, lower stress and help you feel better. 
  • Get enough sleep and try limit your alcohol intake. 
  • Visit QuitNowVirginia.org, or call 1-800-Quit Now if you are a current smoker or nicotine user. 
  • If you’re having a hard time – get help by calling the 988 Lifeline. Talk with someone whether that’s a friend or professional.  Staying mentally health can help protect your physical health.    

Many of the Local Health Districts offer programs and services that support men’s health, including: 

  • Blood pressure monitoring and heart health awareness: Men are encouraged to regularly check their blood pressure and learn about heart disease prevention. An estimated 31% of Virginia adults are living with hypertension, or high blood pressure, a condition that continues to affect men at disproportionately high rates and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.   
  • Nutrition and healthy lifestyle education: Promotes balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.  
  • Vaccination services: Immunizations for adults, including tetanus, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, HPV, and other routine vaccines that help protect long-term health.  
  • Sexual health services and STI prevention: HIV/STI testing, sexual health resources, and free condoms to help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections across Virginia communities.  

For more information about men’s health and programs, contact your Local Health District at or visit the Virginia Department of Health website. 

Algal Blooms Can be Harmful; When in Doubt, Stay Out

Posted on by R. Ellick

Algal blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. Most algae species are harmless. However, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins.  

Some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid discolored water or scum that is green or bluish-green because it could contain toxins. 

To prevent illness, people should: 

  • Avoid contact with any area of the water that is green or an advisory sign is posted. WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT! 
  • Do not allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water. 
  • Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algal bloom. 
  • Quickly wash exposed skin and/or wash your pets off with plenty of fresh, clean water after coming into contact with algae scum or water with algal blooms. 
  • Seek medical/veterinarian care if you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom. 
  • Properly clean fish by removing skin and discarding all internal organs and cooking fish to the proper temperature to ensure fish fillets are safe to eat.  
  • Contact the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154 if you suspect you experienced health-related effects following exposure to a harmful algal bloom. 

Visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com to learn more about harmful algal blooms or how to report an algae bloom or fish kill. 

Measles Wastewater Monitoring

Posted on by R. Ellick

Measles wastewater testing will be expanding across Virginia. Starting in May 2026, in partnership with the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), VDH began testing wastewater collected from about 30 Virginia wastewater treatment plants for measles virus. Results are posted on CDC’s Wastewater Data for Measles page.  

Why look for diseases in wastewater? People infected with measles can pass viral material in their stool before symptoms begin. When a person with an infection uses the toilet, sink, or shower, viral particles can enter the wastewater system. A laboratory test can detect these viral particles in a sample of wastewater. A positive wastewater measurement shows that measles might be present in a community. Testing wastewater for diseases can provide alerts about disease trends even when people do not show symptoms, seek medical care or testing.  

A positive measles wastewater result does not tell us: 

  • Who is sick and the severity of their illness 
  • How many people are sick 
  • Whether the sick person(s) lives in the community or was travelling through 

If there is a measles detection in wastewater near you, protect yourself by:  

  • Avoiding contact with people who are sick  
  • Practicing good respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering your mouth when coughing) 

Wastewater testing is most useful when we compare it with other clinical information. This includes hospital visits and clinical laboratory tests. If measles is not detected in wastewater, it does not guarantee that no measles infections are present in the community.  

Wastewater monitoring can provide an early signal to public health officials about measles activity in a community. This is especially critical with measles cases on the rise in the United States and in Virginia. As of May 26, 2026, 1,952 measles cases have been reported nationally, including 54 cases in Virginia.

Cases might increase in the summer as more people travel. The MMR vaccine is your best protection against measles. 

To learn more about the Virginia Department of Health’s measles response visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. 

VDH Ebola Media Statement

Posted on by brookiecrawford

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. We are in active communication with our federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Effective May 21, the Department of State announced that all U.S. bound American Citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for enhanced screening.  Dulles International Airport is located in Dulles, VA. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply enhanced public health screening at Dulles Airport in response to the Ebola outbreak. 

VDH has experience in conducting symptom monitoring in travelers returning from countries affected by Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) outbreaks, including Ebola Virus Disease and Marburg Virus Disease. After a Virginia traveler has been through the federal airport screening protocols, when Virginia receives travelers from outbreak-affected areas, similar to prior VHF responses, VDH conducts exposure risk assessments of these individuals, and conducts symptom monitoring in accordance with appropriate public health guidance. VDH will monitor these individuals for 21 days after their last potential exposure risk.  

To protect the privacy and safety of people under monitoring, VDH will not publicly share any details about these individuals.   

VDH will continue coordinating with travelers, local health departments, state and regional healthcare partners, and federal agencies, and will maintain all appropriate public health measures. At this time, the risk to the general public remains very low. 

Learn more: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/ebola/