{"id":2669,"date":"2026-01-21T00:19:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T00:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=2669"},"modified":"2026-01-21T12:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T12:13:34","slug":"respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-2669\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-2669-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2669-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2669-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\" width=\"930\" height=\"268\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0January 21, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Dear Colleague:<\/p>\n<p>Virginia has been experiencing an active respiratory illness season and has reported multiple recent measles cases and exposures. This letter shares important reminders for keeping yourself and your patients healthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prevent Respiratory Illnesses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As of January 17, the level of respiratory illnesses is now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia\/data\/\">low in Virginia.<\/a> This follows recent high levels of activity, primarily driven by influenza (flu) illnesses. While flu activity has been trending down, Virginia is still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/data\/illness-severity.html\">reporting<\/a> elevated levels of patients hospitalized with flu and, sadly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/2026-news-releases\/virginia-health-officials-report-the-first-pediatric-flu-death-of-the-2025-2026-season\/\">reported<\/a> the first flu-associated pediatric death last week. It is also still early in the respiratory season, and we have observed bimodal peaks in previous years.<\/p>\n<p>It is still a good time for people to get a flu vaccine, if they have not already. <strong>Encourage flu vaccination for eligible patients and staff<\/strong>. Vaccination is particularly important for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/highrisk\/index.htm\">people who are at higher risk<\/a> of serious complications from flu.<\/p>\n<p><u>Influenza Testing and Treatment<\/u>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rapidly submit<\/strong> influenza specimens to DCLS that were unable to be subtyped using a test that is capable of providing a subtype, but failed to do so (e.g., Biofire, ePlex). The <a href=\"https:\/\/dgs.virginia.gov\/division-of-consolidated-laboratory-services\/resources\/test-catalog\/influenza-pcr\">DCLS Influenza Test Request Form<\/a> should indicate \u2018Influenza A subtype EQUIVOCAL\/Influenza A subtype NOT DETECTED\u2019.\n<ul>\n<li>If <strong>Avian A(H5N1) or a novel infection is suspected<\/strong> based on clinical or epidemiologic risk factors, contact your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/health-department-locator\/\">local health department<\/a> by the most rapid means possible to report and request testing at the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promptly prescribe FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications <\/strong>for patients with influenza who are hospitalized; patients who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness; or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/highrisk\/index.htm\">patients at higher risk<\/a> for influenza complications.\n<ul>\n<li>During times of elevated influenza activity, VDH recommends that providers prioritize the use of oseltamivir for hospitalized patients and high-risk outpatients early in the course of illness, and consider therapeutic substitution with non-oseltamivir products when clinically appropriate. Although we are not aware of significant shortages in Virginia, if you experience shortages of oseltamivir, please report that information rapidly through your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/health-department-locator\/\">local health department<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>VDH maintains resources for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia\/healthcare-provider\/\">healthcare facilities<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia\/healthcare-provider\/\">public<\/a> to help prevent transmission of respiratory viruses and monitor local respiratory illness metrics.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay Alert for Measles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Virginia clinicians are asked to stay alert for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/hcp\/clinical-overview\/?CDC_AAref_Val=https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/hcp\/index.html\">measles<\/a> given recent cases and exposure events in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/2026-news-releases\/virginia-health-officials-investigating-another-confirmed-measles-case-in-northern-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Virginia<\/a> and other ongoing measles outbreaks in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/data-research\/index.html\">United States<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/global-measles-vaccination\/data-research\/global-measles-outbreaks\/index.html\">abroad<\/a>. Consider measles, particularly in patients with <strong>fever and a generalized maculopapular rash<\/strong> who have recently traveled out of the country or to regions of the United States reporting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/data-research\/index.html\">measles outbreaks<\/a>. Other symptoms include cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis.<\/p>\n<p><u>If you suspect measles<\/u>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Isolate<\/strong>: Immediately isolate the patient in a single-patient airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), or in a private room with a closed door until an AIIR is available.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Notify<\/strong>: Immediately notify <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/health-department-locator\/\">your local health department<\/a> to ensure rapid testing and investigation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test<\/strong>: Submit a <strong>nasopharyngeal (NP) swab<\/strong> in VTM or UTM for PCR testing and a bloodserum specimen for serology testing at DCLS. Follow <a href=\"https:\/\/dgs.virginia.gov\/globalassets\/business-units\/dcls\/documents\/sample-kits\/vaccine-preventable-diseases-measles-mumps-varicella-zoster-virus-collection-instructions--10252-2.pdf\">instructions<\/a> for specimen collection and handling. Test results are available in less than 24 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Develop a plan for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/infection-control\/hcp\/measles\/index.html\">measles prevention and control<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ensure healthcare systems can rapidly retrieve employee immunization statuses<\/strong>. MMR vaccine is recommended for all healthcare workers who do not have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/mmr\/hcp\/recommendations.html#hcp\">documented evidence of measles immunity<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be prepared to identify all potentially exposed patients, visitors, and staff <\/strong>during times when appropriate transmission-based precautions were not in place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Establish protocols for administering post-exposure prophylaxis<\/strong>, and ensure adequate supply of MMR vaccine, IVIG, and IMIG.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make sure that patients are up to date on recommended <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/mmr\/public\/index.html\"><strong>measles vaccines<\/strong><\/a>, especially before international travel, regardless of destination. Infants six through eleven months of age who will be\u00a0traveling internationally, or to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/data-research\/index.html\">outbreak setting,<\/a> should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel.<\/li>\n<li>Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/measles\/hcp\/\">VDH\u2019s Measles Information for Healthcare Providers<\/a> to stay up to date on measles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Virginians safe and healthy.<\/p>\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n<p>B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD<br \/>\nState Health Commissioner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia \u00a0January 21, 2026 Dear Colleague: Virginia has been experiencing an active respiratory illness season and has reported multiple recent measles cases and exposures. This letter shares important reminders for keeping yourself and your patients healthy. Prevent Respiratory Illnesses As of January 17, the level of respiratory illnesses is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":510,"featured_media":0,"parent":25,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2669","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia \u00a0January 21, 2026 Dear Colleague: Virginia has been experiencing an active respiratory illness season and has reported multiple recent measles cases and exposures. This letter shares important reminders for keeping yourself and your patients healthy. Prevent Respiratory Illnesses As of January 17, the level of respiratory illnesses is [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Clinicians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-21T12:13:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/\",\"name\":\"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-21T00:19:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-21T12:13:34+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Clinician Letters\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/\",\"name\":\"Clinicians\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians","og_description":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia \u00a0January 21, 2026 Dear Colleague: Virginia has been experiencing an active respiratory illness season and has reported multiple recent measles cases and exposures. This letter shares important reminders for keeping yourself and your patients healthy. Prevent Respiratory Illnesses As of January 17, the level of respiratory illnesses is [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/","og_site_name":"Clinicians","article_modified_time":"2026-01-21T12:13:34+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/","name":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia - Clinicians","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png","datePublished":"2026-01-21T00:19:03+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-21T12:13:34+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/respiratory-illness-and-measles-updates-for-virginia\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Clinician Letters","item":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/","name":"Clinicians","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/510"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2669"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2689,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2669\/revisions\/2689"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}