Category: DDP E-bulletin

The Ryan White Program will be hosting one of their quarterly QMAC (Quality Management Advisory Committee) Meetings on August 19 at 9 a.m. ET. The meeting will be virtual only.

QMAC meetings share best practices related to Virginia Ryan White quality improvement activities and discuss strategies to improve the QMAC infrastructure.

For more information on QMAC or for questions about the meeting, please contact Camellia Espinal at c.espinal@vdh.virginia.gov.

World Hepatitis Day is July 28. VDH has created a series of graphics designed to be used as a carousel on social media. The graphics discuss the ABCs of Hepatitis and discuss the basics of hepatitis A, B, and C. At the end of the carousel of images, the call to action promotes going to the VDH viral hepatitis page to learn more or to find a location for viral hepatitis testing and vaccination. The graphics are also available in Spanish.

You can find share the posts directly from the VDH social media accounts or download them from the VDH Newsroom Toolkits should you wish to create your own posts.

For questions or help with any World Hepatitis Day messaging, contact Chris Barnett, Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

Benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®) is currently the only recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy. There is an ongoing shortage of this medicine in the United States. In the United States, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‑approved product is made by King Pharmaceuticals (a Pfizer company). This medication is still in shortage. In April 2026, Pfizer announced that the next shipment of both 1.2 million‑unit and 2.4 million‑unit prefilled syringes is scheduled for October 2026. They expect the full supply to be restored by Quarter 4 of 2027. This new timeline is one year later than what was first expected. The FDA website will continue to share updates.

The FDA is allowing the temporary importation of Lentocilin© due to the ongoing limited availability and extended recovery of Bicillin® L-A. The National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers has posted information for health care providers on the administration of Lentocilin©.

Until recently, health departments in Virginia had enough supply of Bicillin L-A® to treat all patients referred to their clinics. However, the shortage has lasted long enough that restrictions are now needed. As of May 31, 2026, health department clinics are using Bicillin L‑A® only for the following patients:

• • Pregnant women of any age
  • Women of reproductive age (15-44), regardless of pregnancy status, who are infected with or exposed to syphilis
  • Partners of pregnant women infected with syphilis
  • Patients for whom there is a contraindication to alternative treatment regimens such as doxycycline, or who are highly unlikely to comply with an oral treatment regimen, are prioritized on a case-by-case basis, and as supply allows

Please continue to follow the syphilis alternative treatment guidance described in the clinician letter dated June 24, 2025. Should you need to treat a pregnant patient, infant or person allergic to doxycycline, VDH has Bicillin® L-A doses available through the Bicillin® L-A delivery program.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27. DDP will have a blog for the observance on the DDP homepage and several social media posts going out on the Disease Prevention Hotline Facebook. Feel free to share our blog and posts on your accounts.

For resources and/or help planning events, visit:

• • HIV.gov
  • HIV.info.nih.gov
  • Greaterthan.org

Hepatitis Awareness Month comes to a close this weekend. Thank you to all our partners who have been busy in the field doing testing, outreach, and other services to communities in need. One testing event put on by the Health Betterment Initiative and the Mongolian Nurses Association was highlighted by the agency.

A huge thank you to those who shared personal stories with us for our social media campaign this month. We had four amazing people share what going through hepatitis C treatment was like. Check their stories out on our website or our Facebook.

You all accomplish life-saving work every day. This Hepatitis Awareness Month, the importance of your work was seen by many. Thank you again for all that you do every day.

The Virginia Ryan White Cross-Parts Collaborative Quality Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) held its first quarterly meeting of grant year (GY) 2026 on May 13, 2026, bringing together QMAC members, VDH staff, Cross-Parts Collaborative partners, consumers, and subcommittee participants to support and strengthen statewide quality improvement efforts. The meeting featured program updates, quarterly performance measure data reviews, subcommittee workplan development, and stakeholder engagement activities focused on practical strategies to enhance HIV care services across Virginia.

Highlights included updates from recipients of other Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program-funded Parts in Virginia through the Cross-Parts Collaborative, as well as VDH presentations on funded service category performance measures and Unified Eligibility data. Participants also received a “You Said, We Did” presentation demonstrating how clinical quality management (CQM) feedback has informed improvements in training, technical assistance, onboarding, communication, and data support.

In addition, members participated in a virtual Red Ribbon Activity as part of the integrated planning process, providing feedback on priorities for Virginia’s 2027–2031 Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Services Plan. Input gathered during the activity will help inform the continued development of the plan’s goals and objectives.

Overall, 55 participants actively attended the meeting, reinforcing QMAC’s role as a key component of the CQM infrastructure and as a collaborative forum for data-informed planning, consumer and provider engagement, and continuous quality improvement across Virginia’s Ryan White system of care.

For questions about the Virginia Ryan White QMAC, please contact either Camellia Espinal at camellia.espinal@vdh.virginia.gov, or Lynea Hogan at lynea.hogan@vdh.virginia.gov.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) secured funding for three full scholarships for their VCU CIRCAA program.  CIRCAA stands for Creating Interprofessional Readiness for Complex & Aging Adults (CIRCAA).

The program focuses on HIV and Aging for the next academic year. This will be the third cohort to go through the program. Thus far, agencies that have participated in the program include staff from:

• • VCU
  • Three Rivers Health District
  • Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services
  • AIDS Response Effort
  • Virginia Health Options
  • Council of Community Services

The program is a 9-month, post-BACC certificate program. It’s open to prescribers, nurses, and case managers. The scholarship applications are due June 22, 2026. Full Ryan White-specific details and the application can be found via REDCap survey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

VDH recently released a clinician letter with HIV and syphilis updates for Virginia providers.

While the total number of new HIV diagnoses in 2024 was lower than 2023, there are increasing trends among youth and Hispanic/Latino populations. These trends should be known by providers, community partners, and health districts to better advise testing, prevention, and care efforts.

VDH updated the Virginia syphilis screening recommendations for reproductive-aged sexually active people (15-44 years).  The guidelines use the 2024 rate of syphilis of all stages among women aged 15-44 to identify counties with “high syphilis rates”

• • In counties where this rate is high – above 4.6 cases/100,000 population – screening for syphilis is recommended for all sexually active people ages 15-44
  • In counties where this rate is below 4.6 cases/100,000 population, providers should continue to assess individual risk factors to determine testing needs as outlined in the CDC Screening Guidelines

Why we made this change:

• • The Virginia syphilis screening guidelines aim to reduce syphilis and congenital syphilis rates. Congenital syphilis cases are at historic highs in Virginia and nationwide. Cases of syphilis among women continue to increase.
  • Congenital syphilis cases can result from maternal infection at any stage of syphilis during pregnancy, not just primary or secondary stages.
  • Prior to this change, the rate was limited to primary and secondary syphilis cases. A majority (79%) of Virginia women are diagnosed in later stages; only 21% were diagnosed in the primary and secondary stages in 2024.
  • Expanding the guidelines to include the rate of all stages of syphilis ensures a more accurate representation of counties with high syphilis rates among

DDP is finalizing plans for digital advertisements that will begin in April/May and run for six weeks. These ads will focus on HIV and STD testing, syphilis/congenital syphilis, PrEP, and DoxyPEP. They will be delivered to audiences and geographic areas with higher HIV and STD incidence.

Local health departments and community partners may see an increase in traffic to their programs as a result of this messaging.

For any questions regarding DDP marketing initiatives, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

DDP staff is working on edits to the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan.  We are currently in the planning stages of 2027-2031 version of the plan.  The current plan objectives and information can be found on the DDP plan webpage.

A Virginia Integrated Services Plan Town Hall was held on March 4, 2026.  During this meeting staff discussed the current plan, talked about the 2027-2031 plan, and asked consumers and other stakeholders what needs there were around HIV prevention and care in the Commonwealth.  The recording from the town hall can be found online.

VDH staff will hold additional meetings to discuss regional needs as they continue to shape the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan 2027-2031.

National Women and Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is on March 10, 2026. This year marks the 20th annual observance of NWGHAAD.

You can help raise awareness of this observance by:

• • Using messaging and graphics from the following organizations:
    • Womenshealth.gov
    • HIV.gov
    • Greaterthan.org
  • Sharing VDH & DDP social media posts
  • Using the hashtag #NWGHAAD on any relevant posts you create of your own
  • Access information on HIV and women and hold HIV outreach and testing events for women for NWGHAAD

Learn more about NWGHAAD on the WomensHealth.gov NWGHAAD page.

Most staff and community partners are aware that Kimberly Scott has announced her retirement and will have went out on leave prior to her retirement date prior to this newsletter being distributed. Her official retirement announcement is included in this month’s edition.

While the director position for HIV Care Services is being recruited, please note that the following staff will be covering:

• • Allison Green, Senior Program Advisor to Ryan White Part B (RWPB) will be the Acting Director for HIV Care Services. She can be reached at allison.green@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-8065
  • Jonathan Albright, Grants Manager for RWBPB will serve as acting Program Director and Primary Investigator for RWPB. He can be reached at jonathan.albright@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-380-6445.
  • As always, please continue to contact Kimberly Eley, Assistant Director for Medication Access, for any VA MAP needs. She can be reached at kimberly.eley@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-8018.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified a new recombinant mpox virus in English in December 2025 in an individual who had recently traveled to Asia. Genomic sequencing of the virus showed that the mpox genome contained elements of both clade Ib and clade IIb mpox.

This development is not surprising given that viruses evolve and highlights the importance of continued genomic surveillance.

Read the full statement from UKHSA.

A notice from the CDC went out to public health laboratories updating guidance for monkeypox virus testing protocol. People who have been exposed to mpox or who are at risk of exposure should receive the mpox vaccine.

In Virginia, 36 mpox cases were reported in 2025, compared to 27 in 2024, and 12 in 2023. Visit the VDH mpox website for data and other resources.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed on February 7 each year. Graphics and materials for NBHAAD can be found on the following website for your agency:

• • National Institutes of Health
  • GreaterThan.org

DDP will have a social media post(s) and blog write-up for the observance next month. You can find DDP blog postings at www.vdh.virginia.gov/disease-prevention. You can also follow us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/diseasepreventionhotline.

The following is a community submission from Juan, a member of the Virginia Quality of Care Consumer Advisory Committee (VACAC), celebrating Kimberly's retirement, career, and contributions to the VACAC.

VDH is hosting a town hall for the general public and those with vested interest in HIV care and treatment services to discuss the impact of HIV in their communities. This includes people with lived experiences, community advocates, medical and non-medical care providers, etc.

The town hall will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will also be a call-in option for those without computer access. To register for the town hall, please sign up through REDCap.

For more information, questions, or if you need help registering, please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 864-7621.

The state contract with Global Protection has still not been resolved. However, VDH can fulfill condom orders for agencies based on current supply. DDP's current condom inventory is actively changing. Due to this, DDP has removed the order form from the community partners’ webpage and asks that you email the Disease Prevention Hotline at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov for the most updated form.

As a reminder, community-based organizations and local health districts are eligible to participate in the DDP Condom Distribution Program. Organizations that participate in the program may order up to 100,000 condoms each year. Agencies with multiple locations/sites may be approved to order more.

Please contact the Disease Prevention Hotline if you are interested in becoming a distribution site, for the most current order form, or for general questions about the program, at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov.

The MidAtlantic AETC continues to offer regular training courses. Through December 2025 and January 2026 there are numerous courses that are required for staff providing rapid HIV testing in Virginia (HIV Facts and Fundamentals).

Search for training courses near you for you or your staff.

The AETC has also created pocket guides in electronic format available for viewing and download. Some of the topics include:

• • Mental Health and HIV
  • Key Concepts in Motivational Interviewing
  • Lessons in Patient Assessment & Engagement
  • Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP)
  • HIV Case Finding for Persons with Substance Use Disorder

Access the more than ten clinical pocket guides on the AETC website.

Each year DDP sends out DDP Security and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures for all staff and agencies that handle, use, enter, or analyze DDP confidential paper records, electronic records, or data. DDP staff have an internal process to acknowledge these policies and procedures.

Non-DDP staff have a separate process. Non-DDP staff include external contractors, service providers, and data recipients. The non-DDP staff policies and procedures can be found on the community partners webpage.

These policies and procedures have been sent to non-DDP responsible parties as of December 10, 2025. Anyone who received these policies should review them and complete the REDCap verification form by December 31, 2025. All other non-DDP staff should sign the Verification of Receipt form by December 31, 2025, and retain the forms on site for review by your DDP contract monitor at your annual site visit.

For questions regarding the process for non-DDP staff to complete this REDCap form, or if you believe you received the document by mistake, please contact Brianna Carey, HIV Counseling, Testing, & Referral Program Coordinator, at brianna.carey@vdh.virginia.gov.

Note: if you are a DDP staff member and have not received an email requesting that you review the policies and procedures, please contact Christina Martone, HIV Network Detection and Response Program Coordinator, at christina.martone@vdh.virginia.gov.

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) has released their Policy Aid: Innovations in Syphilis Policy Playbook. As one solution to the increased need for solutions to syphilis and congenital syphilis cases, NCSD released this document. It examines six syphilis prevention policy strategies that were implemented by health departments across the U.S. Key implementation steps and considerations for replication and adaptation are included in the document. Results, lessons learned, and other considerations are also included.

View the full PDF from NCSD to learn more. For questions related to the policy aid, contact NCSD’s policy team at policyteam@NCSDDC.org.

The HIV Cluster Detection and Response (CDR) program is changing its name to HIV Network Detection and Response (NDR). Feedback from our Community HIV Planning Group and discussions with other jurisdictions who have made this transition confirm the term ‘network’ is less stigmatizing. The name change will also decrease past confusion that an identified cluster indicates an outbreak.

Please refer to the NDR webpage for additional information about this program. For questions, please contact Garrett Shields, NDR Program Manager, at garrett.shields@vdh.virginia.gov.

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is offering a training, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases in Urgent Care Centers. CEUs are available and the training is being offered at no cost during November.

Recognizing that more patients are turning to urgent care centers for treatment of potential STIs, NCSD organized this training. The course will educate providers to identify and treat the most commonly encountered sexually transmitted infections in the urgent care setting. At course completion, .5 ANCC credits are earned.

Share this opportunity with any providers in your network who work in urgent care and other providers who may be interested.

Providers should visit the NCSD Learning Center to register for the course. They must have an account to register. Creating an account in the NCSD Learning Center is free if they do not already have one.

The STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, John Hopkins Medicine is offering a “3 Day STI Overview”. The 3-day course runs December 9 through December 11, 2025, and is available to all health care providers and health care workers in the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Topics covered in the course include:

• • STI surveillance data
  • Taking a sexual history/patient communication
  • STI screening guidelines
  • The role of disease intervention specialists
  • Vaginitis
  • Status neutral care
  • GC/CT/Mgen
  • HPV/HSV/mpox
  • Syphilis
  • Viral hepatitis
  • And more!

Credit is available for the course. For more information, or to register, visit the training center’s website.

In response to increases in syphilis among pregnant women and congenital syphilis cases, the National STD Curriculum (NSTCD) released additional resources. The NSTCD is a free educational website from the University of Washington STD Prevention Center. New resources include:

• • A National STD Curriculum Lesson
  • Question Bank Topic Reviews

Visit www.std.uw.edu for additional educational resources from NSTCD.