Category: 2024 News Releases

For More Information Contact

• Toinette Waldon, Environmental Health Manager, Toinette.Waldon@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Tara Rose, Public Information Officer, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

(Petersburg, Va.) The Crater Health District has received confirmation that a multi-grey domestic short-haired cat, approximately three years old, has tested positive for rabies. The cat was in the vicinity of Leefield Drive in Petersburg, VA.  The Petersburg Health Department and Petersburg Animal Control encourage animal owners to confirm that all pet vaccinations are current and report any stray animals.

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

“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 the Petersburg Animal Control at  (804) 732-3654. 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

• Media Contact: Steven Herring, Steven.Herring@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

(Petersburg, VA)- The Crater Health District (CHD) is offering free flu vaccine clinics in October to protect yourself, your family, and others from the flu. CHD will hold both indoor and drive-thru clinics. The following schedule outlines dates and times for each locality.

• October 11:
  • Location: Petersburg Sports Complex 100 Ballpark Rd. Petersburg, VA 23803
  • Clinic Time: 1 PM-4 PM
  • Drive-thru clinic
• October 18:
  • Location: Unity Baptist Church 4951 Mt. Sinai Rd. Prince George, VA 23875
  • Clinic Time: 1 PM-4 PM
  • Indoor Clinic
• October 24:
  • Location: Surry Community Center 205 Enos Farm Dr. Spring Grove, VA 23881
  • Clinic Time: 11 AM-2 PM
  • Indoor Clinic
• October 25:
  • Location: The Millard & Florence Stith Community Center 9436 Mayes St. Jarratt, VA 23867
  • Clinic Time: 1 PM-4 PM
  • Drive-thru clinic
• October 31:
  • Location: Golden Leaf Commons 1300 Greensville County Cir B. Emporia, VA 23847
  • Clinic Time: 11 AM-2 PM
  • Indoor Clinic

CHD will offer free seasonal flu vaccines to anyone 3 years and older. A photo ID is recommended and not required. The vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are encouraged to wear loose clothing around the arm to administer the flu shot easily.

“Getting a flu shot this year is important to protect yourself, your family, and the community. It is recommended everyone ages 6 months and older get their yearly flu vaccination,” said Crater Health District Director, Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH.

For more information about the Crater Health District, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater.

For More Information Contact

• Toinette Waldon, Environmental Health Manager, Toinette.Waldon@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

(Hopewell, VA)- On September 10, a stray tabby cat (black, gray, brown) approximately 5 months old was found near a home on Stonewall Ave. in Hopewell. The cat bit someone and has since tested positive for rabies.  Upon investigation, this is within a one-mile radius where a rabid fox was discovered on 8/8/24. The Environmental Health and Animal Control teams are canvassing the area where the animals were found. The Hopewell Health Department and Hopewell Animal Services encourage animal owners to confirm that all pet vaccinations are current and report any stray animals.

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

“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 the Hopewell Animal Services Unit at 804-541-2204. 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/.

(Prince George, VA)- The Crater Health District-Virginia Department of Health and Prince George County Public Schools are partnering to host Back-to-School Immunization Clinics. The clinics will be held on Tuesday, August 13 from 3 p.m. -6 p.m. at Prince George High School, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, VA 23875, and Thursday, August 15 from noon – 4 p.m. at J.E.J. Moore Middle School 11455 Prince George Drive, Prince George, VA 23875.

“We invite everyone from Prince George County Public Schools to make sure students have the required immunizations so they can start school on time and have a healthy year,” said Crater District Health Director, Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “Our Crater Health District (CHD) staff looks forward to providing important health services needed for school entry.“

“Back-to-school” season is just around the corner, CHD encourages the community to come out and get the required school immunizations. CHD will provide select 7th and 12th immunizations (Tdap, HPV, and Meningococcal ACWY) required for school entry. *Please bring a valid form of identification, insurance card, and vaccine record.

“I am thrilled about our collaboration with Prince George Public Schools to ensure our children start the school year on time, said Karen Stalzer, Public Health Nurse Manager. This partnership highlights our collective dedication to the health and well-being of our students, fostering a brighter and healthier future for our community.”

For additional event information contact Kira Mauger at kmauger@pgs.k12.va.us

To learn more about the Crater Health District, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater and Prince George County Public Schools visit Prince George County Public Schools (pgs.k12.va.us)

For More Information Contact

• Media Contact: Katrina Saphrey, Katrina.Saphrey@vdh.virginia.gov
• Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

(Dinwiddie, Va.) The Crater Health District-Virginia Department of Health and Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation Department partnered to present the Ragsdale Community Center Open House & Health Fair. The event will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Ragsdale Community Center 20916 Old School Rd. McKenney, VA 23872

The Crater Health District (CHD) encourages the community to visit the open house to connect with community resources and take advantage of on-site health screenings and vaccinations.  The event will feature glucose screenings, flu vaccines, and blood pressure checks provided by Central Virginia Health Services and CHD.

“Our CHD staff and Dinwiddie community partners look forward to providing important health services and information promoting healthy living,” said Crater District Health Director, Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “We invite everyone from Dinwiddie County to visit the newest facility and join us at this community event featuring entertainment and valuable resources.”

Dinwiddie Public Schools Transportation has partnered to provide transportation for the event. The buses will be picking up community members from 2 locations: Southside Elementary School: 10305 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841, and Dinwiddie High School: 11501 Boisseau Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841. Pick-up begins at 10:00 a.m. with the bus leaving promptly at 10:30 a.m. The buses will arrive at the schools for drop off at 2:00 p.m. To pre-register, people can visit: redcap.link/r42zn3md .

“We are excited to rebrand our newest Recreation Building, Ragsdale Community Center, by having an open house. We are especially happy to partner with VDH-Crater Health District on this event. We want this to be a big showing for citizens to see Ragsdale’s amenities, our program offerings, show off our grand staff, and most importantly, get our community healthy by providing health screenings on-site,” said Quinell Henderson, Director, Dinwiddie County Parks & Recreation.

The event will feature many family-friendly activities, community resources, food trucks, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation will provide free produce and groceries.

For more information please contact: Lorenzo Bradley Jr. at 804-478-6146 Ext. 8007 about the Open House and Melissa Perez Diggs 804-382-2667 for Health Fair information.

To learn more about Crater Health District, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater and our community partners Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation.