Tag: cancer

Central Shenandoah Health District Highlights the Importance of UV Safety Awareness

July 21, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov

Central Shenandoah Health District Highlights the Importance of UV Safety Awareness

STAUNTON, Va. – The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is reminding residents to protect themselves from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of taking proactive steps now to prevent skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. No matter how much time you plan to spend outdoors enjoying the sunshine and summer activities, you should take extra precautions against the damaging rays which can put yourself at risk for several serious health issues.

“As people spend time at the beach, enjoy outdoor recreational activities or work outside, it is important to remember to protect yourself,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “Limiting sun exposure, especially during midday, will protect your skin from the sun’s intense and damaging radiation.”

The Central Shenandoah Health District suggests several steps you can take to protect yourself from UV radiation.

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
  • Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs.
  • Consider options to protect your children.
  • Wear a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, for both UVA and UVB protection.

Sunscreen protects you from sun exposure by reflecting or absorbing UV rays, but it wears off. Here are some tips on how to apply and select sunscreen:

  • Apply sunscreen to create a thick layer on the skin at least 20 minutes before you are put in the sun.
  • Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
  • Reapply at least every two hours.
  • Use sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
  • Ensure your sunscreen “blocks UVA and UVB” or has “broad spectrum” on the label.
  • Reapply each time you get out of water or sweat heavily.
  • If you are also using insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Follow product label instructions to determine how often you need to reapply insect repellent and sunscreen.
  • Follow the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of 3 years.

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are six months old or younger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun.

Sunlight exposure is highest during the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You are also at risk of UV radiation even on cloudy days. Be safe, use common sense and protect yourself from sun damage when outside, no matter what the weather.

The Virginia Department of Health and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia have partnered with the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS) and Virginia schools to implement sun safety initiatives. Visit the Cancer Coalition webpage for more information.

Mount Rogers Health District Highlights the Importance of UV Safety Awareness

July 14, 2025
Media Contact: Brianne Kilbourne, brianne.kilbourne@vdh.virginia.gov

Mount Rogers Health District Highlights the Importance of UV Safety Awareness

MARION, Va. – The Mount Rogers Health District is reminding residents to protect themselves from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of taking proactive steps now to prevent skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. No matter how much time you plan to spend outdoors enjoying the sunshine and summer activities, you should take extra precautions against the damaging rays which can put yourself at risk for several serious health issues.

“Protecting your skin from UV exposure isn’t just about avoiding sunburn. It’s about reducing your risk of skin cancer and long-term damage. Simple steps like wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and covering up can make a big difference. UV safety is something we can all practice, year-round,” said Dr. Meagan Helmick, Health Director for the Mount Rogers Health District.

Mount Roger Health District suggests several steps you can take to protect yourself from UV radiation.

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
  • Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs.
  • Consider options to protect your children.
  • Wear a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, for both UVA and UVB protection.

Sunscreen protects you from sun exposure by reflecting or absorbing UV rays, but it wears off. Here are some tips on how to apply and select sunscreen:

  • Apply sunscreen to create a thick layer on the skin at least 20 minutes before you are put in the sun.
  • Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
  • Reapply at least every two hours.
  • Use sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
  • Ensure your sunscreen “blocks UVA and UVB” or has “broad spectrum” on the label.
  • Reapply each time you get out of water or sweat heavily.
  • If you are also using insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Follow product label instructions to determine how often you need to reapply insect repellent and sunscreen.
  • Follow the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of 3 years.

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are six months old or younger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun.

Sunlight exposure is highest during the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You are also at risk of UV radiation even on cloudy days. Be safe, use common sense and protect yourself from sun damage when outside, no matter what the weather.

The Virginia Department of Health and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia have partnered with the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS) and Virginia schools to implement sun safety initiatives. Visit the Cancer Coalition webpage for more information.

VDH in the News – June 16, 2025

Posted on by brianlittle

VDH in the News – June 16, 2025

 

Here are some of the items in today’s news scan. Stories include measles, drinking water, alpha-gal, babesiosis, mobile clinics, harmful algal bloom, cancer, and more. Some of the articles may contain specific references to VDH, while others describe issues that may be of interest or concern to VDH. To view a complete article, click the underlined link. If you have any questions or comments, let me know.

 

 

Alpha-gal syndrome is gaining recognition in Virginia. For those who have the tick-borne illness, it’s long overdue.
Cardinal News
June 13, 2025
By Emily Schabacker

 

… A bill that passed unanimously during the 2024 General Assembly session added alpha-gal syndrome to Virginia’s list of reportable diseases. Starting July 1, health care professionals must report cases to the Virginia Department of Health. In Virginia, health officials don’t know how many people have the condition because the state hasn’t tracked it, said Cali Anderson, senior epidemiologist for the Central Virginia Health District. ,,, “We will now be able to track what’s occurring with alpha-gal. Up until this time, we haven’t really had a reliable method of tracking other than anecdotal reports,” Anderson said. … While alpha-gal cases are rising in some areas, other tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease, declined last year, at least in the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts, said Christie Wills, the districts’ public information officer. … “It’s ticks that have been attached longer we’re more worried about. That’s not a hard and fast rule, just a generality,” Wills said.

 

Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Tick-borne illnesses expected to rise this season

 

Fairfax County warns of ‘harmful’ algae bloom in Burke Lake
ABC 7 News
June 13, 2025
By Sonia Dasgupta

 

Fairfax County Park Authority is warning the public about a “harmful” algae bloom at Burke Lake. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) states: “Algae are naturally occurring microscopic organisms found in fresh and salt waters of Virginia and around the world.” “Algal blooms can be any color, but the most common ones are red or brown and are known as either ‘red’ or ‘brown tides. Most algal blooms are not harmful, but some do affect fish and humans, as well as other animals like birds and marine mammals. These are known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). If water is discolored, murky, has an odor, or if there appears to be a film on the water surface, swimming is not advised for humans or pets,” VDH states.

 

 

VDH reports potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia, D.C. area
Inside NOVA
June 15, 2025
By Inside NOVA Staff

 

The Virginia Department of Health has been notified of a confirmed case of measles at Dulles International Airport and the Washington metro area earlier this month. The patient is an international traveler visiting the D.C. area, the VDH said in a Saturday news release. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.

 

Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Health officials investigating possible measles exposure in Northern Virginia

Health officials investigate measles exposure linked to international traveler in Northern Virginia

 

State health department reports measles exposure in NoVa

 

VDH reports potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia, D.C. area

 

 

City enters into Order of Consent for January water crisis
WWBT 12
June 13, 2025
By 12 On Your Side digital team

 

Richmond and the Virginia Department of Health have entered an agreement months after the January water crisis. The order of consent summarizes a series of violations and what the city is doing to correct them. Among other things, the order confirms a ‘corrective action plan’ that both the city and VDH agreed to. The plan is required after the city received a second violation notice back in April. The violation was issued at the same time as the state’s final report on the water crisis.

 

Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Richmond enters agreement with VDH to fix its water system

 

 

Rare tick-borne illness making headway in Virginia
WRIC ABC 8
June 13, 2025
By Madison Moore

 

As summer calls us outdoors, a crucial health warning emerges from medical experts. While Lyme disease often grabs headlines, a lesser-known but increasingly concerning tick-borne illness, babesiosis, is making its presence felt in Virginia. Babesiosis is caused by a tiny parasite carried by the blacklegged tick or “deer tick” — the same ticks notorious for transmitting Lyme disease. … The Virginia Department of Health reports only 17 confirmed cases of babesiosis originating in Virginia since 2016, with most found on the Eastern Shore or in Southwest Virginia.

 

 

Mobile clinics will serve rural health needs
Galax Gazette
June 13, 2025
By Shannon Watkins

 

Two new mobile clinics will provide medical care to underserved areas of Southwest Virginia, focusing on communities like Whitetop, Dugspur, Laurel Fork and Independence. The Mount Rogers Health District, Mount Rogers Community Services and Highlands Community Services teamed up to launch the mobile units.

 

 

UVA Cancer Center Advisory Council shares roadmap for reducing cancer’s impact
Cville Right Now
June 13, 2025
By Dori Zuk

 

The UVA Cancer Center Community Advisory Council (CAC) has developed a community-focused roadmap to reduce cancer’s impact across Virginia and West Virginia. …The roadmap will contribute to the Cancer Center’s plans for research and outreach across the 87 counties it serves in Virginia and West Virginia. UVA Cancer Center has launched a comprehensive sun safety program in local schools through its community outreach and engagement office in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia.