Health Department

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is proclaiming May Fight the Bite Awareness Month in Fairfax County and encouraging residents to take preventative actions to prevent tick and mosquito bites. The bite of an infected mosquito or tick can lead to a life-changing illness. West Nile virus and Lyme disease are two of the vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, respectively, in our region. Taking simple precautions when spending time outdoors can make an impact on both individual and public health. The Fairfax County Health Department recommends residents use insect repellents that contain EPA-registered ingredients like DEET or picaridin to prevent bites. Follow product instructions when using repellents. In addition, residents can: Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing when outdoors. Use permethrin-treated clothing, shoes, and gear. Follow product instructions. Shower soon after outdoor activities; and make sure to perform tick checks (on yourself and family members) after outdoor activities. Put clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high heat after being outdoors to kill ticks on dry clothing after coming indoors. The Health Department offers residents a free tick-identification service. If you find a tick on yourself or loved one, you can submit a photo online, mail it in, or bring it to our facility. Our Environmental Health staff will identify it and provide you with information about the type of tick and what diseases that tick may transmit. Please note: this service does not test ticks for disease and our staff do not provide medical advice. This identification can be useful if you need to speak to a medical provider. Education and awareness are also important ways to prevent mosquito and tick-borne disease. To help spread the word, the Health Department continues to work with community partners to provide prevention information. Learn how to prevent and control mosquitoes in your yard with a free yard inspection and why tipping and tossing standing water disrupts the mosquito life cycle. In addition, the 20th Anniversary of the Fight the Bite calendar will be going home with all FCPS 4th graders in June. Copies will also be available for pick up at the Health Department Administration building. Learn more about the Disease Carrying Insect Program and how you can help fight the bite.

Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month It has been said of Denise Bagayoko, “You are not just a diligent team player but a culinary master with a generous spirit. Your thoughtfulness in taking care of us through the simple act of shared meals has created a sense of community and comfort. You are a priceless addition to our team.” So, if she ever offers to make you a waffle, accept! Denise came to the Environmental Health Division at the Fairfax County Health Department in 2023 when the dental program transitioned operations to the federally qualified health centers in Fairfax County. When asked how she felt about the transition and what she expected, her response was not surprising. Denise said, “I worked for 22 years in dental and did not even use a computer. I was already working for the Health Department, but I did not know about Environmental Health and what it really means. I had no clue about Environmental Health.” When Denise worked for the dental program, her interactions primarily centered around children and sometimes pregnant women. “I could have taken a new position in Leesburg but that would have [meant] retiring in Fairfax and starting over.” As Denise reflected, she said “I miss my kids, the children, a lot. I call them my kids because I really got to know a lot of them.” And then she smiled and continued, “But I enjoy learning new things and everyone here is helpful. I’m lucky.” Suffice it to say, Denise seems to have made a home in the Environmental Health Division, too, working as an environmental technician and bringing her culinary skills to the forefront. Recently the division was approached by City of Falls Church to collaborate on an outreach effort related to grease traps in local restaurants. Grease traps serve to collect the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) for disposal rather than allowing it to continue through the sewer lines to water treatment facilities. Many municipalities encounter sewage backups or overflows related to FOG. In response to the Falls Church request, the team created a quick survey on an app then had staff go out to the restaurants and meet with owners to discuss FOG, grease traps, and maintenance schedules. With her skillset, Denise was a critical member of the FOG team. “Staff here knew I was a cook at a local restaurant,” said Denise. “They asked if I could assist since I also speak Vietnamese. I was excited for the opportunity to be involved.” Not only was Denise able to talk “restaurant talk” with the owners, but she could also converse with them in their own language, who learned Vietnamese from her mother. When asked what it was like talking to Vietnamese restaurant owners, Denise shared, “I teased them, I said ‘Don’t run, [we’re] not here for checking food. We just want to talk’.” As it turned out, that set the owners at ease and made the conversation more comfortable. She said that they introduced themselves and she and a fellow coworker explained that they were there to check on the grease trap and provide information and guidance. It was not an inspection. Once the restaurant owners realized this, they relaxed and talked. Owners pointed out the grease trap and share any records on cleaning, if appropriate. Denise smiled recalling the visits saying, “It was a good experience for all of us because they were happy with our conversation and understood what we were saying since no language barrier.” Denise saw a few familiar faces, too. And those she didn’t know, she was quick to relate to them. She even shared with some that she was the one to print and mail their “Permit to Operate” document. And those with expired permits, well, she shared a gentle reminder to renew and even helped them start the process. Denise’s approach was pretty simple and definitely successful. After hearing her experience, it’s hard to believe she wasn’t sure about Environmental Health. She’s a natural fit and a welcome team member.

Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Fresh off a weekend 5K, Savita Sood, was excitedly talking about becoming a grandmother for a second time and looking forward to spending quality time with her 2½ old granddaughter who’s already committed to running with Savita in 2025. For those who know Savita, you know she is committed to her family and living a healthy lifestyle. Savita’s love for exercise may only be rivaled by her love for cooking. But you’ll see that same passion come alive when she talks about her work as a Tuberculosis public health nurse for the Fairfax County Health Department where she’s worked for the last 28 years. Savita, who hails from England, was born to parents who grew up in northern India. It was important to her parents that Savita and her siblings foster a deep appreciation for their culture and heritage, so they traveled to India frequently to visit relatives and attended boarding school there for five years. According to Savita, she wanted to become a nurse, but that occupation was discouraged by her family who wanted her to pursue the science track. Conflicted over choosing an occupation, Savita emigrated to the United States and worked as a lab tech. Shortly after coming to the US, her husband suffered a health crisis which pushed Savita to earn her nursing degree to ensure she could support her young family, if necessary. Her first job out of nursing school was as a clinic nurse for the Mount Vernon District Office. Savita loved working with her clients, providing them with the education needed to improve their health. She noticed that clients who came from India paid particular attention to what she had to say. “I found it really makes an impact when I share with my clients that I can speak their language, whether its Hindi, Punjabi, or Urdu,” says Savita. “You can tell they feel safer and more secure when they hear their own language in a foreign land.” While Savita enjoyed working as a clinic nurse, she found herself drawn to helping the residents of Fairfax who suffer from Tuberculosis (or TB), a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air and generally affects the lungs. Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. But they can carry the germs that can make them sick months to many years later - this is known as latent TB infection (or inactive TB). Once TB becomes active, it can make someone very sick and can even cause death. Symptoms include a cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood, weakness, fever and night sweats. TB is found in all countries. Anyone can get TB, but some people are at greater risk of TB than others. This is because of a range of social, economic, and demographic factors. Treatment for TB can take many months, depending on the regimen. Fairfax County Health Department TB nurses help treat clients with TB for extended periods of time, allowing for connections to form. These connections are especially important for people who may have reservations about treatment due to language and cultural barriers. “TB is a big problem in India and there is stigma associated with the disease,” says Savita. “In India it is generally thought of as a disease of the poor, but when I explain that anyone can get TB, not just the poor, there is some reassurance. Through education and being able to connect with my clients, I am able to put their fears to rest and they are more open to treatment.” According to Savita, she makes a point to go to Temple and talk with families. “I volunteer in the free clinic. People get to know me,” says Savita. “It makes a difference.” Over the years, her family has come to regard Savita’s calling and are proud to share how she is changing lives one TB case at a time. Savita says that working at the health department has been a gift. “With the birth of my next grandchild, we are striving to maintain the connections with my family in India,” says Savita. This is what we do, we ensure our culture remains alive for generations to come.”