Tag: disease

Cumberland Plateau & LENOWISCO Health Districts Encourage All Residents to Get Vaccinated for the Flu

September 29, 2026
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker; Daniel.Hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau & LENOWISCO Health Districts Encourage All Residents to Get Vaccinated for the Flu

WISE, Va. – Influenza (flu) season is here. The Virginia Department of Health’s Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts encourage everyone six months and older who lives, works or plays in southwest Virginia to receive their annual influenza vaccine.

During the 2025-2026 respiratory season, Virginia reported two pediatric flu deaths and more than 80,000 emergency department visits for diagnosed flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

“In rural communities, where access to medical care may require longer travel and hospitals can have limited capacity, preventing illness is especially important,” said Reisa Sloce, director, Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “We encourage everyone ages 6 months and older to talk with their health care provider or local pharmacy about getting vaccinated early, so they can be protected before flu begins to spread widely.”

Flu season, the period of highest influenza activity, normally begins in early October and ends in late May. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons, activity often peaks in January or February.

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.

“Getting a flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available is one of the simplest and most effective steps people can take to protect themselves, their families, and their community during flu season,” said Michelle McPheron, nurse manager, Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “Vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious illness, missed work and school, and strain on local health care services.”

Influenza is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. The flu is highly contagious and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick one to three days following exposure to the virus. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

To minimize your risk of contracting or transmitting the flu, follow these simple steps:

  • Get vaccinated.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover your cough, either by using a disposable tissue or coughing into your sleeve, not your hand.
  • Stay at home when you are sick.

It is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. For more information, contact your local health department directly: Buchanan 276-935-4591; Dickenson 276-926-4979; Lee 276-346-2011; Russell 276-889-7621; Scott 276-386-1312; Tazewell 276-988-5585; Wise/Norton 276-328-8000; or visit the VDH flu page.

Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts Environmental Health Services Benefit All Community Residents

September 24, 2026
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker, Daniel.Hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts Environmental Health Services Benefit All Community Residents
September 26 is World Environmental Health Day

WISE, Va. – At the Virginia Department of Health’s Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts, health professionals work behind the scenes to protect your health while you do everyday activities like eating at a restaurant, taking a shower, or going for a swim. Environmental health professionals play a crucial role in Virginia public health.

“On World Environmental Health Day, we recognize the essential work that often happens quietly behind the scenes to keep our community safe and healthy,” said Reisa Sloce, Director, Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “Environmental health services protect the places where we live, learn, work, and gather—from safe drinking water and food establishments to septic systems, public pools, housing conditions, and disease prevention. In a rural community, these services are especially vital because they help ensure that every resident, no matter where they live, can enjoy a clean, safe, and healthy environment. We are grateful for the dedication of our environmental health professionals and the many partners who work every day to protect the wellbeing of our community.”

Our environmental health staff protect the health of our community in several ways:

Food Safety: The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts permit and regulate food establishments, including restaurants, mobile food units, school cafeterias, daycare centers, adult homes, hospital kitchens, and coffee shops. Health inspections ensure food establishments handle, store and prepare food safely. Restaurant inspection reports can be viewed online.

If you suspect that more than one person has become ill after eating a common food, please contact your local health department. You can also visit my MyMealDetective.com to submit a foodborne illness report.

Tourist Establishment Inspections: Your local environmental health team conducts routine inspections to protect against public health risks and promote cleanliness, safety, and compliance with state regulations on all hotels, campgrounds, and summer camps within the district.  Inspections are done annually as well as targeted visits in response to public health complaints.

No operator can legally open or maintain a hotel or tourist lodging facility in the Commonwealth without an active, VDH-issued Tourist Facility Permit.

Water Safety: The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts inspect all public pools throughout the summer and all tourist establishment swimming pools annually. Staff issues recreational advisories for harmful algal blooms (HAB) and other water hazards.

If you observe algae while recreating in natural water, please report in on the Virginia Department of Health HAB online reporting form.

Milk Safety Program: Local environmental health milk specialists oversee a permitting and inspection program for local dairy farms producing Grade A Milk and milk products. Under state agreements, VDH and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) divide responsibilities for milk and dairy plant oversight.

Private Wells: The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts provide permits and inspections for onsite wastewater and private wells, to include sewage handling and disposal regulations. To apply for a private well permit, please contact your local health department.

Onsite Sewage Disposal: Local environmental health manages onsite sewage disposal systems—such as conventional septic tanks and alternative onsite sewage systems (AOSS)—to protect public health and groundwater.  You need a VDH construction permit to install, modify, or repair a septic tank or dispersal drainfield.

VDH recommends having conventional septic systems inspected every three years and pumped out every three to five years. Alternative onsite sewage systems (AOSS) require annual inspections by a licensed operator.

Rabies: The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts provide rabies education and control. If you come in contact with a suspected rabid animal, please contact your local animal control office and your local health department.

The environmental health staff also helps after natural disasters, ensuring the public has safe water from wells, healthy foods, and sanitary facilities.

For more information on the services, resources, and educational information available through the environmental health office contact your local health department directly: Buchanan 276-935-4591; Dickenson 276-926-4979; Lee 276-346-2011; Russell 276-889-7621; Scott 276-386-1312; Tazewell 276-988-5585; Wise/Norton 276-328-8000; or visit the Virginia Department of Health website.

Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips

Posted on by lindascarborough

September 25, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips
World Rabies Day is September 28

STAUNTON, Va. – World Rabies Day is September 28. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) reminds you to avoid contact with strays and wild animals. Even though rabies is nearly 100% fatal, it is highly preventable.

Rabies is commonly found in Virginia in wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes. This year, 151 animals tested positive with rabies in Virginia. CSHD has had 16 animals test positive for rabies so far in 2025.

“Rabies is a fatal disease,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “Vaccinating your pets protects them from other animals that might have rabies. Not only does vaccination prevent your pets from getting rabies, it prevents your pets from biting and spreading the virus to humans.”

Virginia law requirecshs all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccinations must be kept current.

To protect yourself and your animals from rabies:

  • Do not feed stray animals. Report them to local animal control authorities by calling 540-332-3842.
  • Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Wild animals are not pets.
  • Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals. Instead, report these animals to the Department of Wildlife Resources. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators are another option.
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and unfamiliar pets.
  • Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
  • Keep wild animals out of your home by capping chimneys with screens. Block openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and their shots are up to date. By law, all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider before traveling overseas to see if rabies vaccinations are recommended.

Anyone potentially exposed to a rabid animal should notify their healthcare provider immediately. Exposure includes any bites, scratches or contact with saliva.

If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic. Wash animal bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water to decrease the chance of infection. Contact your healthcare provider or the Central Shenandoah Health District for further recommendations.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by an animal, contact Staunton Animal Control at 540-332-3842 or the Staunton-Augusta Health Department at 540-332-7830.

For more information about rabies, visit the Virginia Department of Health Rabies Control webpage.