DDP E-Bulletin: April 2026

Posted on by DDP PR Coordinator

Reflecting on a Busy 2026

We’ve been busy in the Division of Disease Prevention (DDP). I wanted to take time to acknowledge some of the important work we’ve been doing recently in collaboration with the community and our partners.

Earlier in 2026 we started with two public meetings, one specific to Ryan White Part B Services and then another specific to our Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan. Open meetings such as these allow us the opportunity to hear the voices of those whom we serve. We are incredibly grateful for those who spoke up and voiced their opinions, concerns, and feedback.

Training Announcement: Program Sustainability

What would you do if your grant funds were suddenly canceled?

In these uncertain times, planning for the worst-case scenario is often wise. To help address this issue, the HIV and Hepatitis Prevention (HHP) team is offering a full-day training in late May entitled Program Sustainability.

The training will take place on May 21, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.  It is open to all contractors, including community-based organizations and local health departments.

It is a one-day session and will focus on practical strategies for building a long-term, sustainable program that is not dependent on a single funding source.  Participants will learn ways to diversity financial support, strengthen organization resilience, and plan for future stability.

This session is designed for:

    • executive directors,
    • chief financial officers,
    • board members,
    • grant writers, and
    • staff responsible for sustainability or long-term planning.

Registration is due by April 30, 2026.

 

Hepatitis Awareness Month 2026

Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed each May. Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19, annually. DDP will have a blog about Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day on our homepage and post related social media content on our Facebook page throughout May.

Follow our Facebook and visit our homepage to share our content on your page for the observance(s).

For questions about awareness day resources, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

 

NCCC PEPline Now Offers Weekend Hours

The National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) has expanded their services to include weekend hours. The PEPline will now be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., not including holidays.

The PEPline number is 844-ASK-NCCC (844-275-6222).

For more information about the NCCC PEPline and the services that they provide, visit the NCCC PEPline website.

 

CHR Overdose Update: Medetomidine

Medetomidine is a very strong veterinary medicine. It is used as a sedative and pain killer for large animals, similar to xylazine but much stronger. The drug is increasingly found in the United States (U.S.) street drug supply mixed with fentanyl. It causes severe sedation, extremely low heart rate and low blood pressure in humans. Often called, "rhino tranq," or “Dex,” it is not approved for human use and is causing severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, requiring urgent hospital care.

Rapid withdrawal from medetomidine can cause severe symptoms, including dangerously high heart rate and blood pressure, uncontrollable vomiting, tremors, and hallucinations, often requiring intensive care stays. As of early 2026, it is rapidly replacing xylazine in the street drug supply, particularly in the northeastern U.S., with up to 87% of drug samples in certain cities containing the sedative.

Medetomidine test strips are available at Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR) programs and at some local health departments.

For questions, please contact Bruce Taylor, Drug User Health Coordinator, at bruce.taylor@vdh.virginia.gov.

 

Annual HIV and Hepatitis Summit

The second annual HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Summit took place on March 31 and April 1, 2026, at the Virginia Crossings Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia. The event brought together 83 participants representing cross‑sector HIV prevention and care partners, viral hepatitis stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience. Attendees included:

    • medical providers
    • care linkage staff
    • harm reductionists
    • testing and prevention specialists
    • local health department teams
    • pharmacists

Over the two‑day gathering, participants shared strategies for HIV prevention, care coordination, and hepatitis C elimination; explored new opportunities for collaboration; and highlighted ongoing efforts across the Commonwealth.

 

Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference

The Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference was held in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the Great Wolf Lodge, on March 24 and March 25. The purpose of the conference was to meet with cross-sector stakeholders on viral hepatitis to share strategies for elimination, identify opportunities for collaboration, and present on ongoing efforts. The audience was comprised of people with lived experience, medical providers, care linkage professionals, harm reductionists, testing and prevention specialists, local health department providers, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical representatives. There were 70 attendees.

 

Personnel Announcements

We’re Hiring!

DDP is looking for a Medical Monitoring Project Program Coordinator to join HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance. The position closes on May 4, 2026.