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.