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Archive
2002
2001
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Posted: March 05, 2003 |
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VDH Investigates Recent
Death
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health is
currently investigating the death Monday of a Hampton
Roads child. At this time, no cause of death is known
and no link to the cluster of unexplained deaths in
children in February has been determined.
"There does not appear to be any link between
this child's death and the deaths reported in children
in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas late last month.
However, we are leaving no stone unturned in our investigation
of these deaths," said State Epidemiologist John
Marr, M.D.
more
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Posted:
March 05, 2003 |
VDH Reports
Illness In Smallpox Vaccine Recipient
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health today
reported details on an illness in a person who recently
received the smallpox vaccine as a member of the state's
health care response team. Tests are underway to determine
whether or not the case is related to smallpox vaccination.
The individual developed a low-grade fever and headache
nine days after receiving the smallpox vaccination,
and then developed a mild rash on the face and chest
on the eleventh day following vaccination.
more
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February 26, 2003 |
FLOODING
PROMPTS RIVER CLOSURE TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(Richmond, Va.)- State Health Commissioner Robert
B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H., today announced the closure
of portions of the James and Rappahannock Rivers to shellfish
harvesting. In some instances, pollution from storm flooding
can produce high levels of fecal coliform and viruses
in the rivers. The Virginia Department of Health will
collect test samples to determine if any contaminants
are present.
The impacted areas for the James River
extend from Hog Island in Surry County downstream to
the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel. The Rappahannock
River will be closed from the Tappahannock Bridge to
approximately 20 miles downstream to Stove Point and
Monaskon. more
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February 26, 2003 |
STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT STRESSES
IMPORTANCE OF
RABIES VACCINATIONS FOR PETS |
| (Richmond, Va.) - The Virginia Department
of Health is urging citizens to keep their pet's vaccinations
up-to-date and to avoid contact with wild animals. The
message of Rabies Awareness Week, March 2-8, 2003, is
"Help Make Rabies a Thing of the Past," and
emphasizes the importance of vaccinating companion animals,
such as dogs and cats, against rabies
for their protection as well as the protection of families.
In 2002, 27 cats and 4 dogs tested positive for rabies
in Virginia. Among those cases, most of the animals
were strays, and probably not vaccinated. That total
is the third highest number of rabid cats in the history
of rabies statistics in Virginia. more
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February 24, 2003 |
STATE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT RELEASES RESULTS IN UNEXPLAINED DEATH INVESTIGATION
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia
Department of Health announced today that laboratory results
indicated that two of the five unexplained death cases
were infected with influenza
B, and one was infected with invasive group
A streptococcus. Two of the cases remain under investigation.
No link has been found among any of the cases, and no
new cases of unexplained and sudden death in children
in Virginia are under investigation at this time.
"The deaths
of these children are very unfortunate, however we do
expect to have a few deaths in children each year due
to these types of illnesses," State Health Commissioner
Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. "At this time of
the year many children have upper respiratory infections
and flu, and at this point I have no reason to believe
children are at any increased risk of serious illness."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates that an average of 36,000 people die from
influenza-related complications each year in the United
States. more
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February 21, 2003 |
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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CONTINUES INVESTIGATION INTO RECENT DEATHS
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health continues
to investigate five deaths in children between the ages
of two and seven that occurred within the past week.
Four of the cases are from the Tidewater area, and one
case in Richmond. At this time, no cause of death is
known and no link has been determined in any of the
cases. All five of the children had experienced upper
respiratory symptoms.
"I understand that all parents will be concerned
about their children," said State Health Commissioner
Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. "However, at this
time of the year many children have upper respiratory
infections and flu, and at this point I have no reason
to believe children are at an increased risk of serious
illness." more
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February 05, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BEGINS SMALLPOX VACCINATION
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health announced
today the beginning of smallpox vaccination for designated
volunteer health care personnel. The first doses of smallpox
vaccine for civilians in Virginia were provided today
to five public health employees and one hospital employee
by the Charlottesville health department. Local health
departments throughout Virginia will begin to administer
smallpox vaccine to volunteer public health staff and
staff from participating hospitals in their area over
the next several weeks.
"Providing the smallpox vaccine to health care responders
is an important element of our overall emergency preparedness
efforts," said State Health Commissioner Robert Stroube,
M.D., M.P.H. "By protecting those people who would be
initially called upon to respond, we further strengthen
our ability to protect the health of the public if a case
of smallpox should occur." more
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January 30, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OBSERVES NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS
AWARENESS DAY 2003
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
encourages communities statewide to participate in the
third annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on
February 7, 2003. Health departments, community-based
organizations, and agencies across the state have planned
health fairs, concerts, theatrical performances, and other
activities to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially among
African-Americans.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reported that AIDS is the leading cause of death for
African-Americans between the ages of 25-44. "African-Americans
remain disproportionately affected by HIV," said
Casey W. Riley, Director, Division of HIV/STD, VDH.
"It is imperative that HIV prevention and education
initiatives continue to target the needs of this population,"
said Riley. more
List of Events
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January 28, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECEIVES SMALLPOX VACCINE SUPPLY
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health today
received 10,000 doses of smallpox vaccine from the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the coming
weeks, the smallpox vaccine will be provided to pre-designated
volunteer health care providers as part of the state's
ongoing emergency preparedness efforts. An exact date
for the start of smallpox vaccine clinics has not been
determined.
"The Virginia Department of Health will distribute
the smallpox vaccine to Local Health Districts once
they are ready to begin vaccination," said Deputy
Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Lisa Kaplowitz, M.D., M.S.H.A. "We are working
to ensure that when clinics begin all systems are place
to properly administer, store and track the vaccine."
more
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January 24, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ORDERS SMALLPOX VACCINE SUPPLY
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health has
submitted its order to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) for an initial supply of 10,000 doses
of smallpox vaccine. In the coming weeks, the smallpox
vaccine will be provided to pre-designated volunteer health
care providers as part of the state's ongoing emergency
preparedness efforts. The smallpox vaccine supply is expected
to arrive in the state within a week, and vaccinations
are expected to begin within the next couple of weeks.
"Without a known threat of smallpox, the vaccine is
not recommended for the general public at this time,"
said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D.,
M.P.H. "By protecting those people who would be initially
called upon to respond, we further strengthen our ability
to respond to a smallpox outbreak and protect the health
of the public." more
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January 9, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS REGIONAL SMALLPOX VACCINE
TRAINING TO PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF
(Richmond, Va.)-The Virginia Department of Health will
offer smallpox vaccine administration training in five
localities throughout Virginia during January 13-15, 2003.
In addition, the Fairfax County Health Department will
hold a similar training session for their staff on January
16th. After January 24th, health department staff that
attends the training will receive the smallpox vaccine
and will then administer the vaccine to other volunteer
health care response team members.
"The smallpox vaccine is not recommended for the general
public at this time. The probability of an intentional
release of smallpox is low, but since the consequences
of an outbreak would be great, it is important to prepare
by vaccinating volunteer health care response teams
in Virginia," said State Health Commissioner Robert
B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. more
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January 8, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES RECEIVE SMALLPOX
VACCINE TRAINING
(Richmond, Va.)-As part of a smallpox vaccine training
session, five Virginia Department of Health Public Health
Nurses traveled to Atlanta on December 17, 2002 to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health
staff from each state participated in the "Train the Trainer"
program to prepare for the first stage of pre-event smallpox
vaccination. more |
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January 13, 2003 |
VIRGINIA
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES GUIDELINES TO PREVENT NOROVIRUS
(Richmond, Va.)- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
announced this week that 12 outbreaks of norovirus have
been identified in the state since early December. Several
more outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses involving
symptoms compatible with the virus have been reported
statewide.
During roughly the same time period last year, three
outbreaks of norovirus were confirmed. A total of 18
norovirus outbreaks were confirmed during 2001. State
health officials stress that hand washing is one of
the best preventative measures people can take to avoid
getting sick.
"Norovirus is a common gastrointestinal virus that
causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Headache and low-grade
fever may also occur," noted State Health Commissioner
Robert B. Stroube. M.D., M.P.H. "People with this infection
usually recover within two to three days without serious
or long-term health effects; however, it can be a serious
illness for persons who are unable to drink enough fluids
to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea."
Infants, young children, and persons who may be unable
to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly,
are at risk for dehydration from loss of fluids. Persons
who are immunocompromised are at risk for dehydration
because they may get a more serious illness, with greater
vomiting or diarrhea. more
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