Category: 2023 News Releases

For More Information Contact

• Toinette Waldon, toinette.waldon@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Julie Thacker, Julie.Thacker@vdh.virginia.gov

(PETERSBURG, VA)- The Crater Health District will be hosting a Job Fair on Tuesday, August 29 from 2 PM to 6 PM at the Petersburg Public Library, 201 W Washington St, Petersburg, VA 23803. Crater Health District is currently taking applications in the following divisions: Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Finance and Administration, Nursing, Population Health, and Women, Infant and Children (WIC). See the attached flyer for additional information on available positions.

“We are very excited to be able to meet with interested members of the community to share what we do in public health,” said Crater District Health District Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “If you’re curious about a career in public health, and the many different types of roles you can play on our team, we want you to stop by the job fair.”

Crater Health District is a part of the Virginia Department of Health, one of the agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Full-time employees of the Commonwealth receive excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a competitive retirement plan, state holidays, and many different types of leave, including sick, family, vacation, and others.

“Employees at Crater come from a number of different backgrounds and types of experience,” shares Toinette Waldon, Crater Health District Environmental Health Manager. “A lot of people have the misconception that you have to have a medical background to work in public health, but that’s not always the case. Only members of the clinical staff must come from a medical background. For my team, I’m looking for individuals who have experience conducting inspections or investigations. We can train qualified individuals on how to do the other aspects of the job.”

People who stop by the job fair can meet members of the Crater Health District team, learn more about the jobs available, and get started with the process of getting hired.

(Sussex, VA)- On July 26, 2023, a wild female bobcat bit one adult victim and a four-year-old white & brindle boxer hound mix. The bobcat ran from under the adult victim’s car. The victims were bit on Winfield Lane in Waverly, VA. The Sussex County Health Department continues to encourage animal owners to confirm that all pet vaccinations, especially rabies, are current.

“Please notify public health officials or animal control immediately if you live near Winfield Lane and think that you or your pet(s) had contact with the infected bobcat. The community’s safety is our priority. Make sure your pets are vaccinated, especially against rabies, “said Crater District Health Departments Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH.

“Rabies is a preventable disease. We encourage all pet owners to vaccinate their animals to protect them and the community,” shares Toinette Waldon, Environmental Health Manager, Crater Health District.

The Health Department strongly advises that people take the following steps to prevent families and pets from being exposed to rabies:

• Vaccinate all cats, dogs and ferrets against rabies and keep them up to date.
• Avoid contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
• Do not feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
• Report stray animals to your local animal control agency.
• Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home.
• Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

To report a stray and/or suspicious animal, please contact Sussex County Animal Control at (804) 898-5371. If you have concerns about exposure to rabies, contact your healthcare provider immediately. For more information on protecting your family from rabies, call 804-863-1652 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ or www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

For More Information Contact

• Katrina Saphrey, Senior Epidemiologist Katrina.Saphrey@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Julie Thacker, Julie.Thacker@vdh.virginia.gov

(Petersburg, VA) There are several tickborne illnesses that can affect the health of the population. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), and Tularemia are a few of the tickborne illnesses that different ticks may carry in the state of Virginia.

Crater Health District urges the public to take precautionary steps to prevent tick bites:

• Always use insect repellant when outdoors in the summer months, especially if in habitats ticks frequent such as forested areas and places with long grass.
  • Repellant containing up to 50% DEET for adults or less than 30% DEET for children is recommended. Repellants containing other active ingredients such as bioUID, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, picaridin, or 2-undecanone may also be effective.
• Wear long pants and shoes with socks and tuck pant legs into socks or boots. Tuck in shirts and wear light-colored clothing so that ticks are visible.
• Conduct thorough tick checks and shower with soap after you have been outdoors. It is important to do this as soon as possible; the likelihood of transmission of tickborne diseases increases the longer the tick is attached to the skin.

Attached to this release is the VDH resource “Ticks and Tickborne Diseases.” If you have been bitten by a tick, safely remove the tick using the steps provided in the attachment. VDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not routinely test ticks for pathogens; instead, it is important to identify the tick species since each tick species carries different pathogens. The VDH Vectorborne Team provides tick identification services for citizens in Virginia, which can be accessed here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ticks/tick-identification/virginia-tick-survey/

If you experience symptoms after being exposed to a tick, seek medical attention. If possible, take the tick or the ID provided from the Virginia Tick Survey to help your provider determine the diagnosis and the best course of treatment.

For More Information Contact

• Katrina Saphrey, Senior Epidemiologist, katrina.saphrey@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Julie Thacker, Julie.Thacker@vdh.virginia.gov

(HOPEWELL, VA)- The Crater Health District, City of Hopewell, and community partners will be hosting the Back-to-School Resource Block Party on Saturday, July 22 from 1 PM to 4 PM at the City of Hopewell Department of Social Services, 316 E Cawson Street, Hopewell, VA 23860. Activities include free health screenings, including sports physicals, and school-required immunizations, as well as giveaways of school supplies and dozens of community resources. Plus, there will be many entertainment options and fun activities for children and their families.

“Families planning to participate in the medical screenings or immunizations should be advised to bring all relevant paperwork with them to the event,” Melissa Diggs, Crater Health District Care Resource Coordinator advises. “We want to make sure everyone who wants to participate can, so please bring medical records, insurance information, and sports physical forms, if applicable.”

“We are very excited to partner with the City of Hopewell for this event, “said Crater District Health District Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “We are grateful for the numerous community partners who have helped to plan this event and who will be sharing so many important resources with the community.”

The event has a rain date of August 5.