VDH in the News – June 27, 2025
Here are some of the items in today’s news scan. Stories include drowning, water safety, heat-related illness, measles, restaurant inspection, food safety, COVID, PFAS, fluoride, harmful algal bloom, 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.
Six children under age of 5 drowned in Virginia pools in just one month: VDH
WRIC ABC 8
June 26, 2025
By Clare Gehlich
Virginia has seen a noticeable rise in drownings in children under 5 years old in swimming pools, with six children dying since Memorial Day, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). … “We join with the families and communities grieving the loss of these young lives,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “These numbers are heartbreaking. Swimming and playing in pools can be fun, particularly on blistering hot days, but pools can also be dangerous. Families should take caution in and around pools. Children in pools should be supervised at all times, and pools should be gated and secured to prevent access when supervision is not available. Please consider enrolling children in swimming lessons. We want to do everything we can to prevent any more lives lost.”
Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Sheriff’s office investigating drowning at Swift Run Campground
6 children under 5 drown in Virginia pools since Memorial Day, highest number in years
Virginia faces alarming rise in drowning fatalities among children under five
Record heat fuels surge in heat-related illnesses across Virginia
WRIC ABC 8
June 26, 2025
By Sahara Sriraman
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting an alarming rise in heat-related emergency room visits as scorching temperatures grip the Commonwealth, and experts warn the worst may be yet to come. … “Before you get thirsty, you need to drink a lot of water,” said Meredith Davis, an epidemiologist with VDH. “Try not to do the caffeinated beverages so much and really be checking on each other — the people you work with, especially if you work outdoors.”
Note: There was an additional item on this topic in today’s news.
VDH: Heat-related illnesses surge across Virginia
Virginia reports record heat-related illnesses as temperatures soar across the Commonwealth
Park expert shares tips on avoiding heat illnesses while outside on a hike
Another possible measles exposure investigated in Northern Virginia
WTOP
June 26, 2025
By Will Vitka
Another potential measles exposure is being investigated in Northern Virginia after someone with a confirmed case of the virus traveled through Dulles International Airport last week. According to the Virginia Department of Health, the person went through Dulles’ Concourse A and the baggage area between 7:45 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on June 19. … “If you were at these locations at the same time as this case, it’s important to make sure that you’re protected against measles, and so that would mean verifying your vaccination history, or that you have other proof of measles immunity,” Meredith Robinson, Vaccine Preventable Disease Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Health told WTOP’s Linh Bui.
Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Alexandria Health Department warns of another potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia
VDH investigates another measles exposure in Northern Virginia
Latest VA Measles Exposure Confirmed At Dulles Airport
Health department investigates another measles exposure in Northern Virginia
Virginia health officials warn of potential measles exposure at Washington Dulles Airport
Another potential measles exposure at Dulles
Dulles Airport Measles Case Prompts Public Health Warning In Virginia
Heatwave alert as Virginia, other states, experience extreme temperatures
Measles cases confirmed in Washington, Virginia
Virginia seeing record-breaking number of heat-related illness ER visits
WAVY 10
June 26, 2025
Heat-related illnesses are sprouting up across the Commonwealth, causing an alarming amount of people to seek medical attention as stifling temperatures persists. In fact, within the last decade, these types of visits have occurred more than any other June. That’s according to the Virginia Department of Health, which has been tracking these visits since 2015. … 10 On Your Side spoke with Dr. Nancy Welch, Chesapeake Health Department health director, who said there has been about a 60% increase in heat-related visits to the emergency room statewide. “What people need to understand is you don’t want to wait until you experience symptoms,” she said. “There are preventive things you can do, and it’s not just drinking water. The key is having adequate fluids, along with electrolytes. It balances and keeps that flow of the liquid in the tissue and in the blood system — and I say fluids, not just water. And that’s why they need the electrolytes plus the water.
Why it’s more difficult to open a restaurant in Richmond than the counties
Richmond Times Dispatch
June 26, 2025
By Meredith Lindemon
Time was running out. The money was pretty much gone. Carlos Ordaz-Nuñez was watching his dream go up in smoke because of a plate glass window. … When asked specifically about communications, Cindy McKelvy, senior environmental health manager for Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, said, “I can’t really speak to how operators interact with city agencies because we are separate from the city. We do, as the Health Department, have good working relationships with our city partners and we can communicate pretty quickly and easily between us and them if we have an issue, or if someone needs help. Then we can point them in the direction of where they need to go as far as the city agencies that need to be involved.”
VDH: How to cook and store food properly to avoid getting sick
WHSV 3
June 26, 2025
By Olivia Whitehouse
With students on summer break and the Fourth of July coming up, more families will be holding cookouts. … Kelsey Holloman, foodborne disease epidemiology program manager with the Virginia Department of Health, said that while it is not always possible to determine if food is contaminated, it is essential to use a food thermometer. Holloman said poultry products should be cooked to 165 degrees, while egg products and ground meat should be cooked to 160 degrees. “Fish, pork, beef and other red meat should be cooked to 145 degrees,” Holloman said.
COVID variant shown to give ‘severe sore throat’; local experts weigh in
WHSV 3
June 26, 2025
By Amir Massenburg
There’s a new COVID variant being shown to give a severe sore throat. … The Virginia Department of Health says there haven’t been any cases of it reported here in the Commonwealth. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not here. … “I think at this point, there’s so many variants and they’re getting so muddled that it’s getting harder and harder to tell. But I do know that it is affecting other countries a little bit harder right now. It’s kind of started there and it looks like it’s moving this way,” said Lisa Sollot, Respiratory Disease Program Coordinator for the Division of Surveillance and Investigation with the Virginia Department of Health.
‘Forever chemicals’ mar pristine reputation of Virginia’s Chickahominy River
Bay Journal
June 26, 2025
By Whitney Pipkin
The Chickahominy River in Virginia is known for its physical beauty, with bald cypress trees and lily pads decorating the water that meanders through largely undeveloped acres of forests and wetlands. But the river’s appearance tells only part of the story. In May, the Virginia Department of Health issued its first fish consumption advisory for the presence of harmful chemicals in the Chickahominy River, which is a James River tributary, and the White Oak Swamp where its waters originate.
Luray discontinues additional fluoride in drinking water system
Rocktown Now
June 26, 2025
By Jacquelynn Dobrin
Luray town staff and town council have elected to discontinue the addition of fluoride to its drinking water. In a release, town officials said they will stop adding fluoride in early September due to the Virginia Department of Health requirement of a 90-day notice.
Note: There were additional items on this topic in today’s news.
Luray will stop adding fluoride to drinking water
Fairfax County Park Authority Updates Residents on Burke Lake
Northern Virginia Magazine
June 26, 2025
By Debbie Williams
Fairfax County Park Authority has issued an update on the status of Burke Lake. … The Virginia Department of Health says most algae are not harmful. However, the agency cautions that “some types of algae in Virginia can be dangerous. Algae species in fresh and salt water may multiply rapidly when environmental conditions are favorable for their development. The great number of algal cells in the water results in what is called an algal bloom.”
