Author: melissagordon

Outdoor fun, especially when the weather is nice, includes picnics, barbecues, camping, outdoor parties and other activities. Don’t miss out on the fun by getting sick.

Typical symptoms of food-related illness are vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which can start anywhere from hours to days after contaminated food or drinks are consumed.

When the air temperature and humidity climbs into the 70s and above, harmful bacteria growth increases rapidly, making handling food safely even more important.

Here are a few warm-weather food safety tips to help keep your festivities and food safe:

Preparation

When preparing meals remember to follow these safety tips: 

• Clean: Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops. 
• Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods. 
• Transport food: It’s important to remember that harmful bacteria can start to grow when prepared food falls between temperatures of 40 -140 degrees. Perishable food transported without an ice or heat source won’t stay safe long. 
• Thaw: Always thaw food in a refrigerator or place the frozen food in a cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs. Never thaw food at room temperature.    
• Marinate: Safely marinate foods inside a refrigerator. Never marinate foods at room or air temperature, and do not re-use marinade. If it is to be used as a dipping or other sauce, save a portion of the mixture, keep it away from raw meat and store it in a refrigerator or cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs before serving.  
• Coolers: Have several coolers. Have one that can be opened frequently and used for beverages, one for snacks and ready-to-eat foods, and one for meats.  
• Trash: Have trash bags stored away from the serving and cooking area. Close or cover the trash bag when it’s not in use.   

Cooking Safety

The onset of warm weather often prompts many people to begin using their outdoor grills to prepare foods. The following tips can help reduce the risk of getting sick:  

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds prior to cooking food.
• Always cook foods to the proper temperature. Do not rely on the food’s color or firmness to determine if it’s thoroughly cooked. Always use a food thermometer and clean the probe end with soap and water before and after use.
• When checking food with a thermometer, remove the food from the grill surface, place it on a clean plate, and then take the temperature in the thickest part of the food (not touching any bones).
• Since grills and cooking surfaces may have cold spots or cook unevenly, check the temperature of each piece of meat on the grill.
• Always use a clean plate and utensil for cooked foods; don’t use the same tongs or platter that you used to bring raw foods to the grill.
• Check to make sure your grill tools are clean, in good condition, and not shedding any brush bristles.
• Cooked foods on the grill surface can be moved off to the side in a hot holding area away from the hot coals or heating elements.
• Store hot foods in a chaffing dish, table-top warmer, or in an insulated container.
• Have mesh covers/tents to cover dishes to prevent flies and bugs from landing on the food. 

Leftovers  

Keep these tips in mind when storing and eating leftovers:

• Don’t leave food sitting out at room or air temperature for more than 2 hours. If the air temperature is 90 degrees or higher, then the time limit drops to one hour. The food should be thrown away if it sits out longer than that.
• Refrigerate cooked leftovers within 2 hours and ensure the temperature in the refrigerator is at 40 degrees or below.
• Divide leftovers into smaller portions and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers should be eaten, frozen or discarded within 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat cooked leftovers to 165 degrees as measured with a food thermometer. Sauces, soups and gravies should be reheated by bringing them to a boil.
• When microwaving leftovers, make sure there are no cold spots in food where bacteria can survive.
• When they are not in the fridge, keep cold foods at the proper temperature by storing them on ice (e.g., use an empty bowl, place some ice in the bottom, set the dish with the food product inside the bowl, fill ice around the food dish so that the ice level outside of the food dish is level with the food in the dish). Monitor the bowl and empty the water as the ice melts and refill with new ice. Use an inflatable cold tray and fill will ice, then set your cold food dishes into the ice tray.
• Store coolers closed, in the shade or cover them. Store them in an air-conditioned area, if possible.

For more tips, visit the VDH Food Safety page and read more about Food Safety Fridays (#FoodSafetyFridays).

On Friday, June 30, Virginia will recognize the professionals across the state who make sure we have clean and safe drinking water and who treat wastewater. A proclamation by Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognizes Friday as Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Day. The General Assembly passed Joint House Resolution 88 establishing the day in 2016. 

Without reliable drinking water and wastewater treatment, thousands of people would die each year from waterborne diseases. Thanks to these professionals who operate public and private drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, Virginia’s 8.6 million residents have water that is clean. 

 At the Virginia Department of Health, the Office of Environmental Health Services and local health departments monitor and oversee private projects and data related to safe drinking water and wastewater treatment. Programs include private wells, onsite sewage systems food and shellfish safety, marinas, waterborne hazards, healthy swimming and more. The Office of Drinking Water ensures public water systems provide a safe and adequate supply of drinking water by enforcing drinking water regulations, monitoring drinking water quality, applying engineering judgement, providing technical assistance and training, and financing improvements to drinking water systems.   

To learn more about drinking and wastewater treatment in Virginia, visit the VDH Office of Environmental Health Services and Office of Drinking Water websites.   

State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD, is newly appointed to her role leading the Virginia Department of Health, (VDH), but she isn’t new to public health or to Virginia. She’s a native Virginian who formerly was Director of the Mount Rogers Health District and Acting Director for Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. She also served in the role of vice president and chief medical officer at Bristol Regional Medical Center before her appointment as state health commissioner.  

Dr. Shelton holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Having lived in several areas of the state and serving in several roles has helped shaped her perspective on the role public health plays for all Virginians, especially given modern challenges facing the Commonwealth such as the opioid crisis. Dr. Shelton is a mother of two grown daughters.  

The VDH Office of Communications sat down with Dr. Shelton to talk about her priorities for goals for protecting and promoting the health of all Virginians.   

What are your top priorities as you begin your new role as state health commissioner?  

It was thrilling when I started as Health Commissioner to be able to sign the declaration of the end of public health emergency for COVID19 for our state. We have been working the last three years on COVID-19 and now that it is decreasing, it is good to be able to turn our attention to other things. We do need to focus on our public health workforce – we need to retain and recruit to enhance our workforce. We have been through a lot with COVID, and we need to make sure we address our own wellness.   

The Opioid Crisis and Fentanyl 

We want to refocus, certainly, on our opioid crisis efforts. We started seeing a large increase in overdose deaths in 2016 across the Commonwealth. We had started some efforts and began to make some headway to decrease those deaths from 2017 to 2018. By 2019, we were beginning to see a decrease in those deaths. Unfortunately, they have skyrocketed again over the three years of COVID-19.  

Substance use disorder increased, unfortunately, during COVID-19 and we’ve seen an increase in our overdose deaths. So, as we refocus our efforts on the opioid crisis, the governor has enacted his Executive Order 26, to crush the fentanyl crisis. We at VDH look forward to partnering with other agencies across the state as we tackle this problem. We want to focus on education, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and anything that we can do to combat overdoses as well as substance use disorder. 

In doing so, we are always asking how we can reach those with substance use disorder, how we can help them and how can we guide them toward recovery when they’re ready. And then what are the recovery options that we have for them and how do we reduce the harm during their time of need until they are ready to get to recovery?  

Also, we look at the people who have been experimenting with drugs and who may overdose on a first-time use or infrequent use of drugs. How do we combat that as well? We have a lot of initiatives ramped up and we also rely on education and prevention. 

Naloxone distribution is a huge effort across the state, so we’ll be working on that along with the many different efforts to combat the opioid overdose and addiction crisis that we have. 

 Maternal and Infant Health 

As an OB/GYN, another main goal of mine is looking at maternal and child health issues. We want to have healthy families, moms and babies. As we focus on those efforts, we want to address issues of maternal and infant mortality. Specifically in maternal health, we want to address mental health, substance use disorder, chronic disease, intimate partner violence, and healthcare access. We are using data to inform our initiatives, and we have some great programs in our agency and partnerships with other agencies and community resources that are already addressing these issues, but we want to double down on our efforts and see if there are additional programs or initiatives that we can use to fill some gaps. I’m looking forward to championing these initiatives with our partners, along with the great work that is already going on within our agency. 

The Public Health Workforce 

Before COVID-19, a lot of people didn’t really know much about what we did as a public health workforce and all the wonderful programs that we have throughout the Commonwealth. 

During COVID-19, we’ve had a trial of our public health workforce. We have people who are still with VDH who have worked tirelessly over the last three years to address COVID-19 for our state. We have a lot of people who came to work for our agency over that time and then a lot of people who have now left public health. We want to champion the public health workforce that we have and see what we can do to bring healing and resilience and to boost the energy again of those who are still working in public health. I look forward to getting out to visit the local health districts and connecting with them on what their needs are. We also are thinking about how we can recruit new people into public health., and looking at how we can get people excited about public health, how we get them into our workforce and champion with us for the best, the healthiest state in the nation. 

How can citizens learn more about fentanyl and what can they do to help or to get involved? 

Our local health departments have free naloxone and provide training on how to recognize an overdose, administer naloxone, and save a life. There are also REVIVE trainings that are offered in communities that are also a good way for people to learn about opioids, about addiction, and about how to recognize an opioid overdose., and how to save a life with naloxone.  

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. Opioids are very dangerous because when people take too much of an opioid, they stop breathing. And so that’s how they die. The naloxone blocks those receptors and allows people to start breathing again. 

The REVIVE! trainings have been going on across the state for some time and I know the efforts will continue. As we get further into our campaign against overdose and addiction, that will be spreading more in communities.  

How have all your roles – from doctor to health director to chief medical officer – shaped your perspective for this new role?  

I feel like my new role is really to evaluate the health of the Commonwealth. Part of what I enjoy, being chief health strategist, is asking how do I make sure that the important services are covered not only for healthcare, but for the well-being of the community? 

What is the access? How do we connect people to care? How do we get people to value their health? 

I think that my time at the hospital really helped me understand a lot about what hospitals do to provide for our communities and how VDH partners with them. Not the least of those is our Community Health Assessments which are integral in our community when it comes to the overall health strategy of a community. 

Also, while I was there (on the hospital side), I learned a lot working on the hospital side about quality initiatives. I learned a lot about patient safety initiatives, best practices, peer review, peer guidance. Part of that was asking how we make sure that our healthcare providers are performing at their best and learning how to guide them in their efforts.  

In 2021, as I was leaving the Virginia Department of Health, we had rolled out the vaccines. We were working on outreach in areas that had not had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and we were making good progress. When I arrived at the hospital, Delta began to surge. We saw the highest numbers of cases that they had to that date at the hospital, followed by Omicron in the winter.  

It’s important that we are refocusing now. I think as a Commonwealth it’s important to make sure people are getting back to taking care of themselves with routine primary care visits and preventive visits such as screenings for cancer and other diseases to make sure we’re taking good care of our health.  

Continuing on that theme, how can Virginians continue to stay healthy now that we’re going to be living with COVID-19?  

Well, COVID-19 is now a part of our community.  It is worse than the flu. When we look at the outcomes, as far as the percentage of hospitalizations and deaths that have occurred from COVID-19 in comparison to the flu, it is an illness of significance for our communities. At the same time, so much of our population has been vaccinated. We do have a lot of immunity that, for most people, it’s not an extreme health concern. Certainly, for people who have certain medical conditions and those who are immunocompromised, that it is a significant factor. 

We all need to be aware, but most of us are now getting back to normal. I don’t know that it’s the same normal. But it’s important for people to get back to getting those mammograms, colonoscopies, and other screenings that healthcare providers recommend for their general health. One thing Virginians can focus on regarding their health is getting out and about. By that, I mean physical exercise, getting out and walking or doing the things you love. Get those breaths of fresh air and taking care of yourself that way.  

Mental Health Focus 

There has also been a lot more attention on mental health in our communities because of COVID-19. People experienced isolation and seclusion. They were not able to get out and about and to socialize. Now we have mental health repercussions. Fortunately, the stigma has been reduced in discussing mental health. I think people are a little bit more open now to talking about it. They want to know about the resources where they can seek help.   

The state of Virginia and the Governor’s plan has looked at increasing our capacity for mental health services. And we do have the 988 line that people can call. This is a national number, but the state of Virginia is up and going with that faster than even the national plan. 

So, we’re thrilled to have that resource in Virginia, and we know that health care providers do have resources for referral. I know that in the behavioral health world, they’re working a lot with “Right Help, Right Now.” They are focusing on educating people on where they can go in a crisis and how they can get the care they need at the time they need it.  

We want people to focus on their own wellness, not only mental health, but also social wellbeing. As we look at our communities, part of public health is looking at social determinants of health. We look at whether people have a place to live, whether they have access to nutritious food, how they are educated and if they can make a livable income. We look at these things to see how, as public health workers, we can work with our resources and link people in our communities with those resources.  

  

To learn more about the REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program, visit the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services website.  

To contact your local health district or department and learn more about naloxone and REVIVE! Training, visit the VDH website. 

Did you know that good oral hygiene begins before your teeth come in? From the time you’re a baby, good oral health is important for overall health. 

Simple steps such as wiping bacteria from a baby’s gums, teaching children to brush properly and drink tap water with fluoride can help reduce cavities and teaches good habits that last a lifetime.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of children ages six to eight have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth.  Children ages five to nineteen, whose families have a lower income, are twice as likely to have cavities compared with children from higher-income households.  

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a time to raise awareness of the importance of developing good habits at an early age.  

Consider these P.E.A.R.L.S. of Wisdom from the CDC:  

• Protect tiny teeth by caring for your mouth when you’re pregnant. Your child’s future oral health starts with you. 
• Ensure a baby’s clean gums by wiping them after each meal.  
• Avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle. 
• Remember to brush your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. If your child is younger than two, talk with your dentist or doctor about when to start using fluoride toothpaste. 
• Limit drinks and food with added sugars for children. Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables and have fewer fruit drinks, cookies, and candies.  
• Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or after their first tooth appears.  

For more tips, to learn more about fluoride in water systems and to find a dentist for young children, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s Oral Health page.  

In 1952, the Virginia Department of Health’s Dental Health Program began with school-based clinical programs. VDH dental hygienists work throughout the state to provide dental services and education. They work remotely in schools, providing dental cleanings, sealants and education. They also work in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics providing fluoride varnish and education to young children and their families. 

National Children’s Dental Health Month began in February 1941, as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA held the first national Children’s Dental Health Day in February 1949. The single– day observance became a week-long event in 1955. It was extended to a month-long observance in 1981. 

 

November marks American Diabetes Month and, this year, it’s happening along with an early onset of the flu season.

In Virginia, more than 740,000 people are at a higher risk of severe complications from the flu that can lead to hospitalization or sometimes death, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In recent flu seasons, about 30 percent of adults with flu in hospitals had diabetes.

People who have diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke or other problems such as kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of a toe, foot, or leg.

Diabetes Month also is an opportunity to learn more about the disease and the challenges of managing diabetes.

Virginia’s plan to help fight diabetes includes federal money to take part in the National Diabetes Prevention Program. It’s a partnership of public and private organizations working to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The program helps make it easier for people at risk for type 2 diabetes to participate in programs that help them reduce their risk through healthy habits.

Those diagnosed with diabetes can get help through Diabetes Self Management Education and Support programs. The DSMES services help diabetics learn about taking medicines, planning healthy meals, and being active. Diabetes care and education specialists work with diabetics on a plan that works for them. To learn about the types of diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association’s website.

One in three Virginians has prediabetes, and most do not know it. To learn whether you are at risk for prediabetes, take the Prediabetes Risk Test. Prediabetes can be reversed before it becomes Type 2 Diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program, funded by private and public institutions (and free to you), that focuses on lifestyle change. For help finding a program, visit the Virginia Diabetes Council’s website.