2024 Regional News Releases

April 19, 2024

Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies in Emporia

PETERSBURG, Va. – On April 14, 2024, a raccoon was discovered on a property on East Lane Drive in Emporia. A domestic dog was outside when the raccoon was found. The raccoon has since tested positive for rabies, and the dog owner has been notified. more>>


April 18, 2024

Pittsylvania-Danville Health District Participating in Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic

DANVILLE, Va.The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District will be participating in a Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, April 20 from 1 – 3 p.m. at O.T. Bonner Middle School, 300 Apollo Ave., Danville. Rising 7th and 12th graders attending Danville City Public Schools are encouraged to attend. more>>


April 16, 2024

Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps to Host 20th Anniversary Celebration

ABINGDON, Va. – The Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (SWVA MCR) will host a 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday, April 27 from 2 – 4 p.m. The event will be held at the K-VA-T Corporate Support Center, 1 Food City Circle in Abingdon. A program highlighting the service of volunteers throughout its 20-year history, including the presentation of service awards, will begin at 3 p.m. All former and current volunteers are invited to attend the event. The anniversary festivities will also serve to commemorate National Volunteer Week held April 21-27. more>>


April 2, 2024

Crater Health Advisory Council Convenes to Address Priority Health Issues Across the Region

PETERSBURG, Va. – Many of the localities within the Crater Health District lack adequate funding and resources and share many of the same health and quality of life challenges.  To address these challenges together and better coordinate resources, the Crater Health District established the multi-jurisdiction, cross-sector Crater Health Advisory Council (CHAC) on August 21, 2023. The CHAC is made up of representatives from across the Crater region, including the cities of Emporia, Hopewell, and Petersburg, as well as the counties of Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry, and Sussex. more>>


March 21, 2024

Fox Tests Positive for Rabies in Petersburg

PETERSBURG, Va. – On March 17, an orange and white male fox snuck onto a property on Hurt Street in Petersburg and was bitten by the owner’s dog. The fox has since tested positive for rabies. The Petersburg Health Department continues to encourage animal owners to confirm that all pet vaccinations, especially rabies, are current. more>>


March 18, 2024

In-School Spring Vaccination Clinics for Middle and High Schoolers Hosted by Central Shenandoah Health District

(STAUNTON, Va.)The Central Shenandoah Health District will be holding in-school vaccine clinics for rising 7th and 12th graders within Staunton City, Augusta County, and Waynesboro City Public School Districts this spring. The types of vaccines available at these clinics are HPV, Meningococcal ACWY, and Tdap. The Code of Virginia requires children entering daycare, public, and private schools to give proof of vaccination before enrolling in school. The vaccines should be given based on the schedule recommended by the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians. more>>


March 18, 2024

Central Shenandoah Health District Holding In-School Spring Vaccination Clinics for Middle and High Schoolers

(STAUNTON, Va.)The Central Shenandoah Health District will be holding in-school vaccine clinics for rising 7th and 12th graders within Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Public School Districts this spring. The types of vaccines available at these clinics are HPV, Meningococcal ACWY, and Tdap. The Code of Virginia requires children entering daycare, and public or private schools to give proof of vaccination before enrolling in school. The vaccines should be given based on the schedule recommended by the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians.  more>>


March 15, 2024

Mount Rogers Health District Announces Bland and Wythe County Community Vaccine Clinics

(MARION, Va.) – The Bland and Wythe County Health Departments, in collaboration with the Wythe-Bland Foundation, announce the return of the adult vaccine clinics. more>>


March 12, 2024

Now Available: Charles City County Community Health Assessment Report

CHARLES CITY, Va. – The Chickahominy Health District and partner agencies are pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Charles City County Community Health Assessment (CHA) report, which can be viewed online at: www.vdh.virginia.gov/chickahominy/community-health-assessment. This report details population-level health indicators, identified local strengths, and health priorities for the county. more>>


February 29, 2024

Raccoon Tests Positive for the Rabies Virus in Rockbridge County

(LEXINGTON, Va) The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) would like to notify residents in the areas of Vallance Way, Village Way, Spencer Court, and Greenhouse Road in Rockbridge County that a raccoon found in the area has tested positive for the rabies virus. The raccoon no longer poses a threat to the public, but CSHD wants to remind everyone, and especially pet owners, of the risks of rabies. more>>


February 16, 2023

Mount Rogers Health District Launches Community Needs Assessment Survey to Shape Future Initiatives

(MARION, Va.) The Mount Rogers Health District (MRHD) is excited to announce the release of its Community Needs Assessment (CHA) Survey.  The CHA is a comprehensive initiative aimed at understanding the unique needs and priorities of the community. The community survey is a crucial step towards developing tailored programs and services that address the challenges and goals of the residents served by the health department. more>>


February 14, 2024

Virginia Department of Health Rescinds Shellfish Harvesting Closure Order

(RICHMOND, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that a portion of Cockrell Creek in Northumberland County, previously closed to shellfish harvesting on January 12, 2024, due to a release of untreated sewage impacting water quality in the area, will reopen effective Thursday, February 15, 2024. more>>


February 14, 2024

Central Shenandoah Health District Announces New Walk-In STI Testing at the Harrisonburg Rockingham Health Department

(STAUNTON, Va.) Beginning February 20, the Central Shenandoah Health District will offer Test & Go clinics at the Harrisonburg Rockingham Health Department every third Tuesday of the month. Test & Go clinics offer after-hours walk-in testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) once a month. Individuals can receive free testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV at these clinics. Testing is available to everyone at no cost. Patients can expect to be in and out of the clinic in 15 minutes or less. more>>


February 12, 2023

Mount Rogers Health District Celebrates Progress in 2023 Annual Report

(MARION, Va.) The Mount Rogers Health District is thrilled to release its 2023 Annual Report, highlighting significant achievements in public health, with a particular emphasis on addressing substance use disorder, community outreach events, and positive outcomes in BabyCare, Family Planning, and WIC programs. more>>


February 5, 2023

Mount Rogers Health District Repeats Recognition Through National “Project Public Health Ready” Program

(MARION, Va.) The Mount Rogers Health District (MRHD) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. The Mount Rogers Health District demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MRHD joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. more>>


January 30, 2024

Cumberland Plateau Health District Recognized Through the National “Project Public Health Ready” Program

(LEBANON, Va.) – The Cumberland Plateau Health District (CPHD) has once again been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. Cumberland Plateau Health District demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cumberland Plateau Health District joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. more>>


January 29, 2024

Central Shenandoah Health District Recognized by National “Project Public Health Ready” Association

(STAUNTON, Va.) – Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. CSHD demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CSHD joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. more>>


January 25, 2024

Rappahannock Area Health District Recognized Through National “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition Program

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. RAHD demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RAHD joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. more>>


January 22, 2024

West Piedmont Health District Receives “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – The West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) is being recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. more>>


January 16, 2023

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES A PORTION OF COCKRELL’S CREEK TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that Cockrell’s Creek in Northumberland County is closed to shellfish harvesting due to a sewage release.  Because these waters can be contaminated with pollutants such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure are currently unacceptable for consumption.  The temporary emergency closure is effective beginning January 12, 2024. more>>


January 12, 2024

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES PORTIONS OF THE JAMES AND RAPPAHANNOCK RIVERS TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that portions of the James River and Rappahannock River are closed to shellfish harvesting due to significant river flooding. Because floodwaters can be contaminated with pollutants such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure are currently unacceptable for consumption. The temporary emergency closure is set to be effective from January 13, 2024, through January 22, 2024. more>>