In Virginia, more than 10% of its adult population is living with diabetes. Additionally, an estimated 56,000 adults are diagnosed with diabetes each year in Virginia. Whether you have diabetes or not, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) wants to make sure you can take the best care of yourself to stay healthy. 

About Diabetes 

Diabetes is a chronic disease where sugar (glucose) levels in the bloodstream are above normal. Insulin is what helps your body use glucose for energy and regulate your blood sugar levels.  

When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t: 

• Make enough insulin (Type 1) 

• Properly use insulin (Type 2)  

Over time, excess blood sugar in your bloodstream can cause serious health problems. This can include heart disease, stroke, amputations, blindness, kidney disease and dementia. 

To prevent these health problems you can: 

• Eat healthy food 

• Be active 

• Test your blood sugar 

• Take medications as prescribed 

Learn more about taking care of yourself when you have diabetes. 

About Prediabetes 

In Virginia, more than 1 in 3 adults have Prediabetes.  

Prediabetes is when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.  Prediabetes can raise your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, blindness, amputations and dementia. 

If you have prediabetes, you can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by: 

• Losing a small amount of weight if you’re overweight 

• Getting regular physical activity 

Learn more about prediabetes and see if you’re at risk. 

Learn More About Diabetes 

• VDH Diabetes and Prediabetes 

• American Diabetes Association 

• CDC Diabetes 

Every Minute Counts 

World Stroke Day is every year on October 29. This year’s theme is Every Minute Counts – to raise awareness of stroke symptoms and what to do if someone is having a stroke.  

The faster people can recognize the signs of and call for help – the sooner someone can get the treatment and care they need. This can increase the chance of survival and a near or full recovery. 

Signs and Symptoms and When to Seek Help 

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. 

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. 

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. 

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, 

If you think someone might be having a stroke Act F.A.S.T. Don’t delay and do the following test: 

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? 

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange? 

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away. 

Learn more about what to do if someone might be having a stroke 

VDH Stroke Smart Partner Program 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Stroke Smart Partner Program recognizes organizations that help make their communities Stroke Smart.  

Any organization—large or small—is invited to share how you’re raising stroke awareness. This can include trainings, education, social media, or community outreach.  

Recognized partners receive a framed Stroke Smart Virginia certificate and thank you letter from VDH. They’ll also receive Stroke Smart Virginia wallet cards, magnets and posters. 

Together, we can educate 9 million Virginians to recognize the signs of stroke—Spot a Stroke. Stop a Stroke. Save a Life. 

Organizations can apply for recognition on the Stroke Smart Virginia Partner Recognition Webpage. 

Learn More About Stroke 

• VDH Stroke Resources 

• American Stroke Association 

• CDC Stroke Information 

HFMD is a common viral illness in children under 5 years of age. In Virginia, rates of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) are higher compared to previous years. This year, Virginia has seen significant increases in emergency department and urgent care visits for HFMD, as well as a notable increase in reported HFMD outbreaks, when compared to previous years. K-12 schools and childcare centers have reported the majority of outbreaks. 

About HFMD 

Symptoms 

Symptoms are usually mild and last for about 7 to 10 days. Symptoms may include: 

• Fever 

• Sore throat 

• Painful mouth sores that blister 

• A skin rash on the hands and feet 

How it Spreads 

HFMD spreads mostly in the summer and fall in the United States, but you can get it any time of year. You can get HFMD after: 

• Close contact with an infected person, like kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils. 

• Contact with droplets that have virus particles after a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks. 

• Contact with an infected person’s poop, such as changing diapers, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

• Touching objects and surfaces that have the virus on them, like doorknobs or toys, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

People with HFMD are usually most contagious during the first week they’re sick. 

Preventing HFMD 

HFMD is usually not serious, but it’s very contagious. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after changing diapers, using the toilet, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. 

• Help children wash their hands and keep blisters clean. 

• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. 

• Avoid close contact with an infected person, such as hugging or kissing them. 

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items. This includes items such as toys, highchairs, and doorknobs. 

• Learn how to how to clean and disinfect child care and education settings. 

There is not a vaccine available to prevent HFMD. 

Stay Home While Sick 

HFMD can spread easily from person to person. Children can go back to school or daycare when they: 

• Have no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications 

• Feel well enough to participate in class 

• Have no uncontrolled drooling due to mouth sores 

For additional information, refer to VDH’s Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School and Childcare Facility Personnel.  

If you aren’t sure if your child is ready to go back to school or child care, talk with your child’s healthcare provider. 

How to Care for Someone with HFMD 

Manage Symptoms 

• Use over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Never give aspirin to children. 

Stay Hydrated 

• Mouth sores can make it painful to swallow, so children may not want to drink much. Make sure they get enough liquids. If they are having difficulty drinking enough water or juice, you can try popsicles or gelatin (Jello). 

How to Report an Outbreak 

Individual cases of HFMD are not reportable to the health department, but outbreaks are. 

An outbreak may be suspected when: 

• There is a sudden increase in people getting sick at the same time OR 

• Two or more people have similar symptoms and share things in common, such as using the same daycare or living areas, or participating in the same activities. 

If you are unsure whether an incidence of illness in your facility or program is considered an outbreak, immediately contact the local health department where your facility or program is located.  You may also report through VDH’s Suspected Outbreak Reporting Portal.  

On any given day, CDC reports that about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection. 

This week (October 19-25), we are celebrating Infection Prevention Week. This event recognizes the dedication of professionals (infection preventionists) who work hard to prevent and control the spread of diseases to keep patients and staff safe.  

About Infection Prevention and Control 

Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are used to prevent or stop the spread of infections and disease. In healthcare settings, this includes practices such as: 

• Washing hands 

• Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed 

• Gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns 

• Properly cleaning and sterilizing surfaces and medical instruments 

• Staying up to date on recommended vaccines 

What VDH Does 

VDH infection preventionists help develop ways to detect, prevent, and control the spread of disease in healthcare settings. Healthcare settings can include hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical offices, and even school clinics. They do this by: 

• Looking for patterns of infection within a facility 

• Observing facility IPC practices 

• Educating healthcare teams 

• Developing IPC policies and procedures

What You Can Do   

• Practice the “Little Things,” healthy habits such as: 

• Washing hands often 

• Covering coughs and sneezes 

• Staying up to date on recommended vaccines 

• Take steps to protect yourself in settings outside your home 

• Learn the right questions to ask and things to do when visiting a healthcare facility or getting medical care  

Learn More 

• VDH Infection Prevention and Control 

• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. 

• CDC Infection Control Basics 

This week, from October 19-25, the VDH is raising awareness about childhood exposure to lead and ways to prevent it.  

About Lead Poisoning 

Lead poisoning occurs when lead enters the bloodstream and builds up to toxic levels. In 2024, there were 1,437 cases of childhood lead exposure reported in Virginia. 

When absorbed into the body, it can result in: 

• Damage to the brain and nervous system 

• Learning and behavior problems 

• Slowed growth and development 

• Hearing and speech problems 

Any level of lead exposure is dangerous to children. It’s most dangerous in children less than six years of age. Most children with elevated blood lead levels will not show any physical symptoms. 

Common Exposures to Lead in Children 

Lead can hide in plain sight, especially if you don’t know where to look. Common sources of exposure include: 

• Flaking and peeling paint in homes built before 1978  

• Soil near older buildings, airports, or busy roads 

• Drinking water delivered through lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures 

• Products such as toys, jewelry, antiques, and collectible items 

• Certain foods, cosmetics, and traditional medicines imported from other countries 

• Lead brought into the home by someone who works with lead-based products.  

The good news is lead poisoning is the most preventable environmental disease among young children. Preventing children’s contact with these things can greatly reduce their risk of exposure. 

VDH has a new friend who can help get the word out.  

Meet Chip 

The VDH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program developed a statewide lead awareness campaign.  

The campaign features Chip the alligator. He helps us spot the signs of lead-based paint: cracked, scaly surfaces that look like alligator skin.  

If you spot this around your home, take action. Talk to a healthcare provider about having your child tested for lead exposure. 

For more information about lead poisoning and our new campaign, visit VDH’s Lead Safe webpage. 

 

VDH is excited for you to learn about the Little Things. VDH’s Little Things Campaign brings small but powerful health habits to life. Each character represents everyday behaviors that help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.  

These behaviors include: 

Covering Coughs and Sneezes 

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 

• Throw used tissues in the trash. 

• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. 

Washing Hands 

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

• Make sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. 

• Always wash your hands: 

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing 

• Before and after eating and preparing food 

• Before and after caring for someone who is sick 

• Before and after treating a cut or wound 

• After using the toilet, changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet 

• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands. 

Learn more about washing your hands.  

Staying up to Date on Immunizations 

• Stay up to date with all recommended immunizations. 

• Immunizations are your best protection against severe outcomes from common respiratory illness. These include flu, COVID-19, and RSV.  

• Immunizations boost the body’s natural defenses against germs that can make you sick. 

• Talk to a healthcare provider about which immunizations are recommended for you. 

If we all do these little things, we can make a big difference in keeping our communities healthy.   

More Information 

• VDH The Little Things  

• VDH Respiratory Diseases 

• VDH Division of Immunization 

• CDC Preventing Respiratory Illnesses 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the United States, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime.  Each year in the United States, about 270,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.  

Breast Cancer in Virginia 

• Breast cancer in women is the top cancer in Virginia.  

• The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 8,000 new breast cancer diagnoses in Virginia this year.  

• It’s also expected that over 1,100 people will die of breast cancer this year in Virginia.  

Breast Cancer Screening 

• Breast cancer screening is checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. 

• Screening is the best way to detect breast cancer early. 

• Finding breast cancer early: 

• Improves treatment options 

• Greatly increases survival 

• From 1975-2020 in the United States, 250,000 breast cancer deaths were prevented because of mammography screening. 

Getting Screened 

• Women at average risk for breast cancer should start screening at age 40.  

• Women who are at increased risk may need to start screening earlier and have them done more frequently.  

• Check with your healthcare provider if screening is recommended for you and how often you should be screened. 

Cost of Screening 

• VDH’s Every Woman’s Life (EWL) program helps uninsured, low-income women gain access to free breast cancer screening services.  

• Learn more to see if you qualify and to find an EWL provider near you.  

• If you don’t qualify, call 1-866-EWL-4YOU or 1-866-395-4968, and they will share with you a list of resources in your community. 

• Women with private insurance should check to see if breast cancer screenings are covered.  

For More Information 

• VDH Every Woman’s Life Program 

• Let’s Talk About It: Screening for Breast Cancer 

• CDC Screening for Breast Cancer 

• CDC Breast Cancer Risk Factors   

• Breast Self-Exam 

Many busy families use food and meal delivery services as a way to balance work, school, activities, and dinner. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is highlighting safety for food delivery services. These services can include: 

• Mail-order food 

• Subscription meal kits 

• Home-delivered groceries 

• Restaurant deliveries 

Tips for Food and Meal Delivery 

It’s not just about the food—make sure food safety and proper handling is part of your order.  

• Research restaurant and companies’ safety practices 

• Check restaurant inspection reports 

• How the food is packaged and temperature controlled 

• Make sure someone is home when food is delivered 

• Perishable foods such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy need to be put in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible 

• Food that has been sitting out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it’s above 90°F outside, can make you sick. 

• Check packaging to make sure there is no damage, and food was shipped with packaging to keep food cold (ice packs, dry ice), if needed 

• Check temperature of food—hot food should be hot, and cold food should be cold 

• Germs that cause food poisoning multiply quickly when food is in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F. 

For more tips on food delivery safety, visit FoodSafety.gov 

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Home Delivery Meals 

CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to certain home delivery meals made by Metabolic Meals. 

Right now, Virginia is not affected by this outbreak. However, if you do get Metabolic Meals–it’s important to not eat affected products.  

 Learn more about this outbreak and the products that are affected. 

What VDH is Doing 

To learn how VDH works to keep your food safe, visit our food safety website. 

On September 29, countries worldwide will bring attention to heart disease. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide with up to 17 million people affected. Across Virginia, over 16,000 people died from heart disease in 2023.   

The City of Roanoke is Taking on Heart Disease 

The City of Roanoke is aware of how heart disease impacts communities. It’s working to decrease the number of people affected, through partnerships between community members and local organizations. 

On July 30, 2025, Roanoke City Mayor Joe Cobb celebrated a proclamation that commits the city to improving heart health.  

This commitment includes working with the Roanoke Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative, and supports the work that the Learning Collaborative is doing in collaboration with other community partners, including: 

• Carilion Clinic  

• Goodwill’s Melrose Plaza 

• Hill Street Baptist Church  

• One Valley 

• Roanoke City Health Department (RCHD) 

• Other community-based organizations 

Working to Make Change 

The Learning Collaborative works to make meaningful, sustainable changes in the community. They do this by providing tools and support to make heart-healthy choices. 

For example, the Learning Collaborative received funding to pay for bus transportation for residents in Northwest Roanoke to the Market on Melrose. This is one of the first Goodwill-operated grocery stores in the country. It provides critical access to nutritious, high-quality and affordable food.  

The new collaboration will continue to address heart-healthy activities that involve: 

• Advocacy 

• Blood pressure education and self-monitoring  

• Access to nutritious food 

• Exercise 

• Addressing high-stress factors, such as 

• Transportation   

• Financial insecurity 

Learn More 

• Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative 

• VDH Heart Disease 

• CDC Prevent Heart Disease 

Throughout the week of September 22-28, public health is observing Rabies Awareness Week. This leads up to World Rabies Day on Sunday, September 28, in order to shine a spotlight on this dangerous but preventable disease. 

World Rabies Day is an international awareness campaign coordinated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, a non-profit organization with headquarters in the United States. Public health organizations across the world join together in this annual campaign. 

World Rabies Day takes place each year on September 28, the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur who, with the collaboration of his colleagues, developed the first effective rabies vaccine in 1885. 

Globally, rabies poses a risk to both humans and animals, both domesticated and wild. World Rabies Day provides information and advice on how to prevent the disease in at-risk communities, and support advocacy for increased efforts in rabies control. 

Rabies remains a significant health problem in many countries of the world. Over 99% of all human deaths caused by rabid dog bites happen in the developing world, with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa and Asia. With the exception of Antarctica, people and animals on every continent are at risk of contracting rabies. 

While the risk from domestic animals in the United States is much lower than many other countries, rabies still poses a very real risk to humans, domesticated animals, and wild animals. 

There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of rabies to you and your animals: 

• Vaccinate pets: Work with your veterinarian to keep dogs and cats up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.  

• Supervise pets: Keep pets on your property and prevent them from roaming freely, which reduces their chances of encountering a rabid animal.  

• Avoid contact with wildlife: Stay away from wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, and never attempt to feed or touch them. If you see a wild animal that appears ill, injured or orphaned, contact your nearest Department of Wildlife Resources office or licensed wildlife rehabilitator. 

• Be cautious of stray or unfamiliar animals: Do not approach or try to pet stray or wild animals, even if they seem friendly.  

• Report unusual animal behavior: If you see an animal exhibiting strange behavior, such as aggression or unusual tameness, report it to local animal control authorities.  

• Secure garbage and pet food: Store garbage and pet food securely to avoid attracting wild animals to your property.  

• Consider pre-exposure vaccination: If you work with animals or travel to areas with a high risk of rabies, consider pre-exposure vaccination, which can provide some protection and simplify post-exposure treatment. 

If you have been exposed to rabies, take the following steps: 

• Immediate wound care: If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.  

• Seek medical attention: Contact your doctor or local health department immediately after a potential rabies exposure.  

• Post-exposure vaccination: If indicated, receive a series of rabies vaccines and, if necessary, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) or monoclonal antibodies. 

The Virginia Department of Health has a wealth of information about rabies and prevention tips; check out the VDH website for the latest information.  Other great sources of rabies include the CDC Rabies website and the CDC Travelers’ Health website.