Category: VDH

When most people think about tuberculosis (TB), they think of an ancient illness. They think it is no longer a concern. Actually, TB is still found across the world. It is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide.

TB is caused by a bacterium (germ).  It spreads through the air when a person with active TB breathes out germs as they cough, talk, or even sing. The germs float through the air on tiny particles.  The germs can be inhaled by people nearby, where they enter the lungs and cause infection. Many people never know they are infected.  Their body can contain the germs and stop them from causing illness. Others are not as lucky.  They develop active TB disease with common symptoms such as:

• extensive coughing
• fatigue
• weight loss
• night sweats

Thankfully, antibiotics can be used to treat active TB disease or asymptomatic TB infection.

About the TB Program

VDH’s TB Program is staffed by a small, but mighty crew.  It is made up of nurse consultants, epidemiologists, and administrative and program staff. Together, the team coordinates statewide surveillance and case management of TB cases.  They do this together with internal and external partners.

Crucial program partners are the clinicians, nurses, and outreach workers across the state.  Staff working in the field ensure TB cases are properly reported.  They provide expert case management with patients.  Case management ensures each patient with TB receives necessary, life-saving treatment.

Another important partner is VDH’s Division of Pharmacy Services (DPS).  DPS procures and distributes medicines used to treat TB.  The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) also works closely with the TB program.  DCLS tests thousands of specimens each year for tuberculosis.  In addition to local and state VDH offices, the TB program also partners with many other organizations.  These include:                               Graphic for TB Program Spotlight

• hospitals
• community medical providers
• academic researchers
• federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The VDH TB Program doesn’t just focus on patients with active TB disease.  Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is another key priority for the program. Screening, testing, and treatment of those at increased risk for infection can prevent LTBI from developing into active TB disease and reduce the number of active TB cases.

Learn More About the TB Program

Join us Monday, March 24 from 2-4 p.m. for our World TB Day webinar.

Attendees can register online: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/xYYIbVnYQ1mj_RVJZcJ1hA#/registration.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is reminding us of a simple concept: To encourage people to make healthy food choices. This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” During the month of March, the Academy wants us to consider how food connects us in key areas:

• Ourselves
• Others
• Environment
• Culture
• Taste
• Nostalgia
• Economic stability

  

• Desire for health

The idea behind this year’s theme suggests that we should explore the connections. These connections can help people better understand themselves. Understanding oneself more clearly, leads to better lifestyle choices with food and exercise.

So, how can you begin embracing these connections? Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for resources and ideas. Women, infants, and children living in Virginia may be qualified for the Women, Infants and Children program, (WIC). WIC provides resources to help improve the health of pregnant women, infants and children. The program provides several services:

• Nutrition education
• Breastfeeding support
• Nutritious foods
• Counseling
• Health and social services referrals

Visit the WIC website to learn more or apply for services.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse wants everyone to have the facts this National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW).  NDAFW is observed each year.  This year it takes place March 17 to March 23.  It focuses on the science of drug use and addiction.  The Institute says information based on facts helps to educate and empower youth to make informed decisions.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) does its part by gathering data. Various programs gather information that helps prevent drug overdoses and substance misuse.  These data help to inform response, services, and programs to improve health outcomes.

In 2022, VDH developed a Drug Overdose Needs Assessment Tool.  The tool helps identify which communities in Virginia may need extra support.  For example, if a community is seeing a high number of overdoses, VDH responds.  Local health districts and their partners will develop ways to increase the availability of naloxone in the community.  Naloxone is a medication to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Data collected by VDH helps with developing drug overdose prevention programs.  Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR) programs also reduce the negative impact of using drugs.  CHR programs provide:

• Education
• Peer support
• Referrals to drug treatment
• Testing for HIV and viral hepatitis
• Linkages to medical care and support services
• Naloxone

Visit the drug overdose and substance use page for more information or data.  You can also visit the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services and the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies.

Poisoning can happen to people of any age at the most unexpected time. A curious child could accidentally eat a poisonous plant. A teen might experiment with substances. Even an older adult might make a medication error. Accidental poisonings can occur in an instant.

During National Poison Prevention Week, March 16–22, it’s important to raise awareness of the risks posed by poisonous substances and the precautions that can be taken to keep families and friends safe. Remember to use the Poison Help hotline 1-800-222-1222 and website PoisonHelp.org. If it’s an emergency and an individual has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can’t be awakened, call 911 immediately.

Poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the U.S. On average, 90% of poisonings happen in homes in America each year. More than 70% of people who call the Poison Help hotline get the help they need right where they are. Calling the Poison Help hotline could save a trip to a healthcare professional or hospital. In 2023, the 55 U.S. poison control centers provided telephone guidance for nearly 2.1 million human poison exposures. That’s about:

• 6.2 poison exposures for every 1,000 people
• 32.1 poison exposures in children younger than six years for every 1,000 children
• One poison exposure reported to U.S. poison control centers every 15 seconds

In 2022, in Virginia, 91% of cases occurred in a residence. Three quarter of total cases were a result of an unintentional exposure to a substance. More than 38% of cases were for children five years old or younger.

Virginia has two poison control centers that provide fast, free and confidential help for poison-related questions. Virginia’s poison control centers are located at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. Calling a poison control center is faster and more accurate than an internet search. 

Remember these important poison prevention safety tips for the home, safe storage habits, medicine safety and more. 

Home Safety Tips

1. Keep cleaning products and cosmetics up and away.
2. Read product labels before each use.
3. Supervise young children when using hand sanitizer.
4. Don’t mix cleaning products together.

Practice Safe Storage Habits

The following items should be stored up, away, and out of sight of children, and in their original containers. Or keep these substances in cabinets secured with child-resistant locks. Keep in mind that no lock or container is 100 percent childproof.

• All medicines and pharmaceuticals, including over the counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements.
• Tobacco and e-cigarette products, especially liquid nicotine.
• Alcohol.
• Laundry and cleaning supplies.
• Pesticides and insect repellents.
• Button batteries, such as those found in musical greeting cards, key fobs, toys, etc.
• Any type of oil or lubricant, including fragrance oils, tiki torch oils, engine oil, etc.
• Personal care products, especially contact lens disinfectants and hand sanitizers.
• Other chemicals or substances.

Did you know that many common houseplants can be toxic? 

Kids are curious and often put things into their mouths, including plants. Some common poisonous houseplants include poinsettia, pothos, peace lily, philodendron and ZZ plants.

You can prevent poisonings from houseplants by following these simple tips:

• Identify any poisonous plants in your home and remove them if possible.
• Place remaining poisonous plants up high and out of reach of children.
• Teach your children not to eat plants, berries, or mushrooms.

If your child eats a plant, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Poison control centers are available 24/7 for fast, free, confidential, expert advice.

Teens are curious and might experiment with substances or participate in social media challenges. Remember to:

• Talk openly about the dangers of substances and social media challenges.
• Teach your teen about the Poison Help hotline and encourage them to save the number in their phone: 1-800-222-1222.
• Call the Poison Help hotline if you have questions about potential poisons.

If you or your teen have poison-related questions, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. This service is always free, fast, confidential and non-judgmental.

Older Adults and Medicine Safety

Accidents happen. It’s easy to forget if you’ve taken your medication, especially if you’re busy or distracted. Here are some tips to prevent accidental double-dosing:

• Set medication reminders on your phone or calendar.
• Read labels carefully before taking medication.
• Use a pill organizer to help you keep track of your medications.

If you’ve accidentally taken too much medicine, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Learn more poison prevention tips with these helpful resources:

• VDH Poison Prevention page
• America’s Poison Centers
• Health Resources & Services Administration

Learn how your local poison control center can help you:

• Virginia Poison Center
• Blue Ridge Poison Center

About the Office of Emergency Preparedness

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is responsible for responding to emergencies throughout the Commonwealth that impact public health.  They work with state, regional, local, and national partners to prepare for all types of hazards that include:

• Severe weather
• Bioterrorism
• Infectious disease outbreaks
• Nuclear and radiological threats
• Other disasters

Always Prepared

OEP works with every office in the agency and each local health district to develop emergency plans to outline how the agency can continue to provide essential services during a public health crisis.

Practice. Practice. Practice. OEP staff hosts emergency drills and exercises with regional and local partners to practice how VDH and its partners would respond to an emergency to ensure public health met.

Emergency Preparedness vs. Emergency Response

Being prepared is only part of the job. OEP staff constantly monitor reports and situations across the Commonwealth.  They are ready to respond at the first sign of an emergency. In fact, OEP has positioned emergency coordinators in each of the five health regions to ensure that staff can easily mobilize during an emergency.

OEP response activities vary depending on the type of emergency. They coordinate resources, manages logistics and provide situation updates. Staff coordinate water distributions during water emergencies.  They provide logistic support during flu shot clinics.

Crucial Partners

Partner agencies are crucial to emergency preparedness and response.  OEP works with many partners to maintain the health and safety of the public during an emergency.  These include:

• Local law enforcement,
• Fire department,
• Emergency medical services,
• Community volunteer organizations,
• Local government (city officials),
• Other state agencies (i.e. the Virginia Department of Emergency Management), and
• Medical Reserve Corps

Communication is Key

OEP emergency coordinators are key to providing situation awareness.  They are the boots on the ground during an emergency.  They share essential information with leadership for decision making.  They share important details with VDH’s communications team for public messaging. They communicate critical needs to VDH partners.

What Can You Do?

Knowledge is power!  Learn about what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones during an emergency.  Visit the OEP website for resources, disaster support and help, and more.

As spring approaches, the warm weather returns. But it also brings some severe weather. Severe weather poses some risks if you aren’t prepared. This year, use Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 10-14, to better prepare you and your family for any severe weather that could impact Virginia this spring.

The three steps to be prepared are:

1. Have a plan. Discuss with your family what to do and where to go if severe weather strikes. You can even make your plan online.
2. Build an emergency kit. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. For more information about how to build a kit and where to store it, visit ready.gov.
3. Stay informed. Get a weather radio or use the FEMA app. Make sure you have a way to get reliable, timely alerts. Know what the difference between watch vs. warning.

It’s also important to understand the different types of severe weather that could impact you.

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Thunderstorms might seem routine, but they can escalate quickly. Clear skies can turn dark and ominous bringing strong wind and lightning. Strong winds can blow around tree branches and other loose objects. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a storm.

Follow these tips to stay safe during thunderstorms and lightning.

• Trim trees and pick up loose items before a storm.
• Get inside (and bring your pets) at the first sign of thunder or lightning. When thunder roars, go indoors!
• Stay away from windows once inside.
• Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers or other electronic equipment.
• Stay out of the shower and away from other plumbing, including washing dishes.
• Stay inside 30 minutes after the last sign of thunder or lightning.

If you cannot seek shelter indoors:

• avoid going near water,
• stay away from tall trees, and
• do not seek shelter near metal objects such as fences or bleachers.

If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately.

Flooding and Flash Flooding

Floods are the most common disaster in the United States. Floodwater and standing water can be dangerous and can make you vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries.

Follow these guidelines to stay safe during flooding:

• Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes can strike quickly, with little or no warning. They can happen anytime and anywhere. Tornadoes look like funnels and bring intense winds of more than 200 miles per hour. The best way to stay safe during a tornado is to be prepared.

Be alert to changing weather conditions and know where to go to be safe.

If inside:

• Shelter in storm shelters and basements.
• If no basement, shelter in an interior room or hallway without windows on the lowest possible floor.
• Do not remain in a mobile home during a tornado.
• Stay inside until you are certain the storm has passed.

If you are outside:

• Seek shelter in a sturdy structure immediately.
• Drive to the nearest shelter, if safely possible.
• If not, find a ditch or low area that is away from trees and other objects that could become projectiles.
• Do not seek shelter underneath a bridge or overpass.

Don’t forget to participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 11, at 9:45 a.m.

Remember take action now to ensure your safety during severe weather.

Every year, at least 2.8 million Americans sustain brain injuries. On average, from 2019 to 2023, there were over 5,000 hospitalizations and almost 2,000 deaths among Virginians each year related to traumatic brain injury.  Brain injuries affect each person differently.

 

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. The Virginia Department of Health is joining others to raise awareness about this condition.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain works. It may be caused by a:

• Bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or
• Penetrating injury.

Other brain injuries are called non-traumatic brain injuries. They cause damage to the brain from issues going on inside of the body, such as

• Lack of oxygen to the brain (near drowning, drug overdose)
• Exposure to toxins
• Certain infectious diseases, or
• Other brain and heart conditions, such as stroke, tumors, and aneurysms.

While many people make a full recovery, there are many people in the U.S. living with a permanent brain injury.

To learn more about brain injury:

• Visit the Brain Injury Association of Virginia.
• Call the Brain Injury Association National Help Line: 1-800-444-6443.
• Visit CDC Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion .
• Visit VDH Injury and Violence Prevention Program.

To learn more about TBI data in Virginia:

• Visit the VDH Injury and Violence Dashboard web page.

The Virginia State Office of Rural Health (VA-SORH) plays a crucial role in partnering with rural communities.  The VA-SORH identifies long-term solutions to ensure the health and prosperity of all Virginians.

They fulfill this mission by:

• providing technical assistance
• offering regulatory updates
• providing resources
• fostering collaboration within communities throughout the Commonwealth

As part of the Virginia Department of Health, the State Office of Rural Health developed a formal action plan to showcase the resiliency and highlight the assets of the Commonwealth’s rural communities.  The Virginia Rural Health Plan 2022-2026 outlines seven priority areas aimed at providing a comprehensive evaluation of the overall health and well-being of Virginia’s rural communities.

These priorities include:

• Education
• Broadband
• Nutrition and Food Security
• Healthy Moms and Babies
• Access to Health Care Services
• Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder and Recovery
• Employment/Workforce Development

Learn more about the health plan by visiting the VA-SORH website.

Stay informed about Virginia rural health issues and important updates by following the VA-SORH Facebook account.