Tag: trending

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/   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 21, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Launches Measles Dashboard Amid Uptick in Measles Cases, Outbreak

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is launching a new measles dashboard. This dashboard shows key information to help Virginians see measles trends, understand the impact, and know their risk of exposure as measles cases increase nationally and across the Commonwealth.

“It’s important for Virginians to know what is happening in their communities in real time,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “This dashboard is our commitment to being as transparent as possible about the impact of measles across the Commonwealth. When people have clear, accessible information, they can make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families.”

The dashboard shows how many measles cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been reported. You can also see case numbers by age, health district, and other key factors. Updates will be posted Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon.

To date in 2026, VDH has reported 40 cases of measles. Of those cases, 17 are related to an outbreak in Buckingham County. A measles outbreak is defined as three or more related cases among members of different households. The number of cases this year has quickly outpaced the five reported cases from last year.

Measles activity in the U.S., including Virginia, is rising due to increased travel-related exposures, both international and domestic, and declining national vaccination rates. 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.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. If you or a loved one are not up-to-date with routine MMR vaccines, contact your healthcare provider or call your local health department to schedule a vaccine appointment today. People who live in or visit the Buckingham County area should talk with their healthcare provider about outbreak vaccine recommendations. This includes considering an early MMR dose for infants older than six months to provide protection while measles is circulating in the community.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination or previous infection with measles. Approximately 95% of kindergarteners in Virginia are fully vaccinated against measles. However, some communities within Virginia may have lower vaccination rates, making them more at risk to measles outbreaks. Fortunately, an increasing number of people are seeking to confirm their MMR vaccine status following Virginia measles exposure events.

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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Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition Join Together for Hepatitis Awareness Month to Combat Viral Hepatitis
Learn About Viral Hepatitis Testing, Vaccination, and Treatment 

(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has joined with the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition (VHC) this May to highlight hepatitis and the danger it poses to the public. May is the annual observance of Hepatitis Awareness Month, nationally; May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States. Both organizations are recommitting their efforts to spread awareness of and education about viral hepatitis to the public.   

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver. When it is goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications including liver cancer and even death. While there are multiple types of viral hepatitis, the most common in the United States, and Virginia, are hepatitis A, B, and C.  Case counts are higher for hepatitis B and C, with cases of hepatitis A normally only occurring in high-risk populations and outbreaks. 

In 2024, Virginia had more than 1,500 new cases of hepatitis B.  The most effective way to protect yourself from both hepatitis A and B is a safe and effective vaccine.   

There were also more than 4,000 new hepatitis C cases in 2024.  There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.  

“Hepatitis C is curable through a course of oral medications for 8 to 12 weeks,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb.  “We have the tools to cure this disease and prolong life, but only if people know their status.” 

One lifetime hepatitis C test is recommended for all adults to know their status. Testing for viral hepatitis is available at community clinics, private providers, and at all local health departments. 

VDH and VHC will be sharing personal stories of Virginians who have been cured of hepatitis C and how this has positively impacted their lives.  Follow the VDH social media platforms and share these stories to amplify their message. 

“Viral hepatitis thrives in the shadows, but it doesn’t have to. With testing, treatment, and the right partnerships, we can bring it into the light and eliminate hepatitis C in Virginia,” said Terry Kemp-Knick, DrPH, BSN-BC, Co-Chair of the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition. 

To learn more about viral hepatitis: 

• Call the Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148. 

• Visit the VDH viral hepatitis webpage. 

• Visit the CDC viral hepatitis webpage. 

• Find a local health department near you to get tested for viral hepatitis or to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. 

• Access hepatitis C treatment across Virginia, visit Virginia HEPC or connect to care at CureMyHepC. 

The Virginia Hepatitis Coalition (VHC) is a network of clinicians, service providers, community partners, and individuals living with or affected by viral hepatitis, working together to advance effective policies, reduce stigma, and expand access to prevention, testing, and treatment.  The coalition provides treatment resources for people with viral hepatitis and offers training and technical assistance to service providers. Visit their website to access services or get involved. 

Viral hepatitis doesn’t have to be a deadly disease. With testing and follow-up treatment, it can be defeated. Let’s all work together to combat viral hepatitis this Hepatitis Awareness Month. 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 15, 2026 

VDH Media Contact: Cheryle Rodriguez cheryle.rodriguez@vdh.virginia.gov 
DBHDS Media Contact: Lauren Cunningham, lauren.cunningham@dbhds.virginia.gov

Virginia Launches “Beyond the Blues” Campaign to Raise Awareness of Perinatal and Postpartum Depression 
Campaign helps Virginians recognize emotional changes earlier, reduce stigma and connect parents and families to support.  

(RICHMOND, Va.) — In honor of Maternal Mental Health Month in May, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), announced the launch of Beyond the Blues, a statewide public awareness campaign designed to help Virginians better understand perinatal & postpartum depression and maternal mental health.  

The General Assembly allocated $553,200 for the campaign and development on an online resource hub. It was created to help parents, families, healthcare providers and communities recognize that maternal mental health struggles are common, treatable and often show up in ways people may not expect. Symptoms can include physical aches and pains, feelings such as anxiety, numbness, rage, fear, sadness, or simply “not feeling like themselves.” These experiences can happen before pregnancy, during pregnancy, after birth or long after a baby arrives. 

“Maternal mental health determines a parent’s ability to care for their family and themselves,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “When we support parents through programs like Beyond the Blues, we create more stability for children and help prevent challenges from becoming emergencies. 

Seventy-five percent of women affected by postpartum depression and maternal mental health issues do not get the help they need. Recognizing the symptoms can be part of the challenge. The campaign is designed to help make those early signs easier to recognize and talk about. It also emphasizes community responsibility and how partners, family members, friends, faith leaders, healthcare providers, neighbors and local organizations can provide support.   

“Support often begins with the people closest to a parent,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “You don’t have to be an expert to help. If you notice something, you can ask, listen without judgment, and help them take that next step.”   

“As we all work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, conversation and connection is key,” said DBHDS Commissioner Daryl Washington, LCSW. “Starting that conversation with a friend or loved one experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy or after birth can make an important difference in their lives and help assure them that they are not alone in this journey.”  

Beyond the Blues campaign materials will encourage parents to seek support and equip community networks with plain-language tools for starting conversations. Healthcare providers and community messengers will also be encouraged to use compassionate, nonjudgmental language and offer clear next steps for help. An online resource hub is available to make maternal mental health information more accessible for parents, community partners, local health districts and trusted organizations. Focus areas include: 

• Current information on perinatal and postpartum depression and other maternal mental health conditions 

• Directing people to Postpartum Support Virginia, which provides a directory of mental health providers specializing in perinatal care and offers care coordination services 

• Information on support groups and other state and national resources  

• Shareable materials and a Beyond the Blues awareness campaign toolkit for partners 

• An opportunity to share your experience with postpartum depression or other mental health issues during pregnancy or the postpartum period 

For more information and resources, visit vdh.virginia.gov/beyond-the-blues.  

About the Virginia Department of Health 

The Virginia Department of Health protects the health and promotes the well-being of all people in Virginia. VDH works with communities, healthcare partners and public health leaders across the Commonwealth to prevent disease, promote healthy environments and ensure access to information and services that support healthier lives.  

About the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services 

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) seeks to promote dignity, choice, recovery, and the highest possible level of participation in work, relationships, and all aspects of community life for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities or substance-use disorders. DBHDS operates 12 state hospitals and centers and partners with 40 locally run community services boards and thousands of private providers statewide. For more information, please visit www.dbhds.virginia.gov, and find DBHDS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube 

As of May 7, 2026, please see the Virginia Department of Health’s statement:

• The Virginia Department of Health is monitoring this situation closely and has been in active communication with our federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• To date, one Virginia traveler who was on the MV Hondius disembarked the ship and has returned home. This person is currently in good health and is under public health monitoring. To protect the privacy of this person, no further details will be shared about this individual.
• Our understanding is that fewer than 30 U.S. Citizens were on board the ship. A small number (<5) of other potentially exposed Virginians might be identified in the days ahead.
• We will maintain communication with travelers, local health departments, and federal partners, and will continue to implement recommended public health actions. Generally speaking, we believe the risk to the general public to be low.

Learn more: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/hantavirus/

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State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb sat down with CNN to share some important information about hantavirus. Check out the interview below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 1, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
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 Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24. 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 locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:

• Dulles International Airport (IAD): in Concourse B, on transportation between the concourse and baggage claim, and in the baggage claim area between 10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23 and 1:30 a.m. Friday, April 24.

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:

• 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.
• People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. If you have already completed the above survey, your local health department will reach out to you to provide recommendations if additional actions are needed.
• 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 April 30 and May 15.
  • 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 21 reported cases of measles. For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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Virginia Department of Health Launches First Perinatal Health Hubs to Support Families Across the Commonwealth
 Four community-based sites expand support for mothers, babies, and families  

(RICHMOND, Va.) —  The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has announced the launch of the first-ever Perinatal Health Hubs Pilot Program, marking a major step forward in strengthening care for Virginia families before, during, and after childbirth. Four organizations have been selected to serve as the program’s inaugural Perinatal Health Hubs Pilot Program.  

• Rockbridge Area Health Center, Lexington, VA 
• Child Development Resources, Inc. Williamsburg, VA 
• Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA 
• Strength in Peers, Inc Harrisonburg, VA

Working together, these sites will serve as community anchors for a new, innovative model of maternal and infant care—one designed to better support families during pregnancy and throughout the critical first year of a child’s life.  

The perinatal health hubs pilot program aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve health outcomes by expanding access to coordinated, community-driven care. Each hub will customize its services to specific local needs, including an implementation plan, with contracts running through June 2027.   

“Every family in Virginia deserves strong support throughout pregnancy and during that critical first year for mom and baby,” said Virginia State Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “These Perinatal Health Hubs will help us work with our partners to ensure families get the comprehensive, culturally responsive care they need.”  

At the heart of the hubs is a diverse, collaborative workforce focused on closing gaps in pre- and post-natal care so families will gain increased access to essential services.  The hubs provide vital support to the community, perinatal health providers, and hospital systems through their access to a diverse workforce. The hubs’ variety of services include access to:  

• Doulas 
• Community Health Workers 
• Peer support specialists 
• Birth workers  
• Perinatal specialists

By connecting providers, hospitals, and community organizations, the hubs are designed to create a seamless network of support—helping families navigate care with greater confidence and continuity.  

The bold initiative reflects strong statewide interest in innovative maternal health solutions. VDH received applications from organizations across Virginia during the competitive process, which ran from October 31 to December 1, 2025. A review committee made up of public and private partners evaluated proposals based on organizational capacity, community engagement, project quality, data planning, and long-term sustainability.  

More than 40 organizations applied, reflecting an exceptional level of interest and a strong, forward-looking vision for communities across the Commonwealth. The quality of submissions was outstanding, highlighting both innovation and a clear understanding of evolving community needs. While only four great projects were granted due to limited resources, the opportunities outlined by our applicants speak to future needs of our communities in caring for our families.  Grantees were selected with consideration for regional representation. The pilot program is supported by State General Funds allocated through Chapter 725 of the 2025 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The General Assembly dedicated $2.5 million dollars over two years to establish and fund a minimum of three pilot sites across Virginia. Eligible applicants included private non-profit or for- profit organizations that deliver direct services to pregnant and postpartum families. Government organizations were not eligible.   

As the program moves forward, VDH and its partners will closely track outcomes, gather data, and identify best practices—laying the groundwork for potential expansion and long-term improvements in maternal and infant health across Virginia. 

RICHMOND, VA— Governor Abigail Spanberger today signed a package of bipartisan legislation — commonly known as the Momnibus — to improve and expand healthcare coverage for Virginia mothers and families, particularly women who face the highest risks. Read full news release>>