noelle bissell Archives

June 20, 2025
Media Contact: Beverly Hill, Beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Offers Tips to Keep Healthy and Cool as Temperatures Climb
Extreme Heat Expected to Impact the New River Valley 06/23/2025 – 06/29/2025

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – As extreme heat moves into the New River Valley, heat-related illnesses are a real concern. The New River Health District offers guidance to stay healthy and cool this summer.

As temperatures outside rise, it’s important to stay hydrated and stay cool. Last summer, Virginia had more than 3,200 heat-related illness visits to emergency departments (EDs) and urgent cares statewide and this year, there were 5 visits for Montgomery County and Radford City, from May 1 – June 15, 2025. Additionally, Virginia EMS clinicians responded to more than 3,600 heat-related illness 911 calls during the heat season (May to September). According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat was the leading cause of weather-related deaths in 2024.

The health director for the New River Health District, Noelle Bissell, M.D. noted, “It’s important to stay informed about forecast temperatures and conditions, and to plan accordingly.”

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion occur when your body is unable to cool itself. Humidity plays a big factor in your body’s ability to release heat. The higher the humidity, the slower your sweat evaporates. Additionally, age, weight, heart disease, poor circulation, alcohol, sunburn, and prescription drugs play a factor in how quickly your body can cool itself.

You can beat the heat with these tips:

Stay Hydrated – Drink water and lots of it. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Stay Cool – The easiest way to keep cool is to stay inside in the air conditioning.
Visit local libraries, recreation centers, governmental centers and look to local fire/rescue squads for places to cool down for those who don’t have air conditioning.
Limit Physical Activity – Schedule your outdoor activities for the coolest times of the day – early morning or evening. Take frequent breaks in the shade.
Dress Appropriately – Loose, lightweight clothing is the best way to dress for the heat. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), glasses, and a sun hat for protection. Reapply sunscreen often.
Stay Informed – Before heading outside check out the Heat Risk Forecast or the CDC Heat and Health Tracker. Know the difference between a heat watch and a heat warning.
Do not leave children or pets in cars. Temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked. Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade.
Check on Others – Recognizing the signs of heat-related illnesses and knowing what to do, might save the life of a loved one. If an individual loses consciousness, has a fast, strong pulse, hot, red skin and/or temperatures of 103° F, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is an emergency.

Keep these tips in mind for a safe, cool summer. Remember that New River Health District can be a resource for summer safety.

October 2, 2024
Media Contact: Beverly Hill, beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Offers Free Seasonal Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic

FAIRLAWN, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s New River Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special drive-thru dispensing clinic in the community. The vaccine will be available free to anyone 3 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The drive-thru clinic is scheduled to be held Friday, October 4, at Fairlawn Church of God located at 7858 Peppers Ferry Blvd. in Radford from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wearing short sleeves or clothing that is loose around the arm will enable the public health nurse to easily give the flu shot in the upper arm and keeping you in the comfort and convenience of your car.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It 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. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications,” said New River Health District Director Noelle Bissell, M.D. “This ‘drive-thru’ approach is proven to be a fast, efficient, and comfortable way to receive a vaccination. Most often, clients can be in and out in under eight minutes.”

Each year in the U.S. approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness. Deaths are attributed to flu range from 12,000 to 56,000 annually with an average of 34,000 per year for the last three decades.

It is important for those at higher risk for influenza complications to be vaccinated each year. These higher risk groups include:

Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
Persons 65 and older, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

While it takes up to two weeks to develop the vaccine’s full protection, everyone can take steps to minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting the flu by following these simple steps:

Get vaccinated.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your mouth when you cough.
Stay at home when you are sick.

For more information, call the New River Health District at 540-585-3300 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/.