Health Department

National Nutrition Month is observed each year in March to help people learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is “Food Connects Us.”  Food is a universal language that has long played an important role in social gatherings, cultural practices, and celebrations. In addition to providing sustenance and supporting overall health, food connects us to culture, community, family and friends, and our planet. This National Nutrition Month, celebrate by exploring the ways you connect with food.  Connecting with Culture  What are some traditional dishes from your culture? How have these dishes changed over time?   Try making one of these dishes and see how it compares to other cuisines. Do they contain similar ingredients?   Rice, potatoes, and pasta are three of the most common food items used in meals throughout the globe. While these items might be used in different ways, they represent a connection of food across cultures.  Activity: Host a Global Potluck. Invite friends or family to bring dishes from different cultures. It’s a fun way to explore new flavors and share stories about the dishes.  Connecting with Community  Everyone needs access to food, which is why getting connected with community food resources is so important. Find where you can donate food, including fresh produce from the Fairfax Food Council. Several non-profits, faith communities, and other organizations hold regular food drives to ensure people can access food.   The Fairfax County Health Department Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides services and assistance aimed at improving the health of pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under five years of age.   The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a monthly amount of money to help purchase food to ensure adults and families have nutritious meals. SNAP is accepted at most grocery stores. Five Fairfax County farmers markets accept SNAP and provide up to $40 in matching dollars for fruits and vegetables.   Connecting with Loved Ones  Family meals strengthen family bonds and encourage better nutrition. Cook a special family dish. While shopping for ingredients, take the opportunity to consider the nutritional value of the meal. Is there a lower sodium version of any ingredients? Does the meal incorporate all the food groups? Visit MyPlate to learn more food nutrition.  Connecting with the Environment  Food production, processing and packaging may impact the environment through emissions in several ways. You can consider lessening stress on natural resources by taking some of these steps:  Considering what you eat and incorporating some plant-based meals  Shopping for in-season produce  Purchasing fruits and vegetables without packaging   Buying local; like from Fairfax County famers markets  Composting; see compost drop-off options  Activity: Farm-to-table. Embrace locally sourced ingredients to create meals that not only connect you with your community but also support sustainability.  Food brings people together, shapes cultures and environments, and supports overall health and well-being. Nutrition isn’t just what’s on our plate – it's about the connections we build through food.  Hear from a Community Public Health Nutritionist on more ways connect with food in these National Nutrition Month 2025 videos.

Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk From the Virginia Department of Health The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The confirmed case was an individual who was returning from international travel. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting personally exposed passengers on specific flights. Listed below is the date, time, and location of the potential exposure site: Location Date and Time Dulles International Airport (IAD) Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area  Between 4 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025   Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared. What should you do if you were at the above location on the day and time specified? If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or the measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.  Watch for symptoms until March 26. If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying at home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider's office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.  Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms. If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.  If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose. Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergartners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants younger than 12 months of age are too young to be vaccinated. These infants, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to someone with measles. If you or your child have not yet been vaccinated, call your health provider. To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records from the VDH Immunization Record Request Form. For additional information, contact your local health department.  Virginia residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can call VDH at (804) 363-2704 or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov. For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/

Emergencies can happen anytime, and a basic emergency kit can make all the difference. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend much to prepare. By using what you already have, gathering free supplies, and planning ahead, you can build a kit over time to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.   1. Use What You Have  Before buying anything, check your home for supplies you can set aside for emergencies. Extra canned goods, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, and an old backpack all work well. Gather these items in one place so they’re ready when needed.   Examples:  Store emergency supplies in an old backpack, tote bag, or large purse.   Keep older prescription glasses as backups.   Add older clothes that still fit well to your kit.   Repurpose empty airtight jars for dry food storage.   2. Save Extra Items  Everyday items can be useful in an emergency. Set aside plastic grocery bags for waste disposal, food containers for water storage, and napkins, utensils, and condiment packets from takeout meals. These small items add up over time.   Examples:  Wash and refill plastic milk jugs with water – keep one gallon per person per day.   Save complimentary hotel toiletries for a compact hygiene kit.  Hold onto free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss from dentist visits.   Keep dryer lint and toilet paper tubes for use as fire starters.  3. Buy a Little at a Time  Instead of buying everything at once, pick up one or two extra supplies during routine shopping trips. This approach spreads out costs and prevents budget strain.   Examples:  Buy one extra nonperishable food item each trip. Stock up during sales.   Check garage sales and thrift stores for discounted supplies.   Take advantage of Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday to buy tax-free eligible preparedness items.  Find affordable first aid and other supplies at dollar stores.   4. Connect With Your Community  A strong support network makes emergencies easier to manage. Build relationships with neighbors and local groups to share resources and supplies.   Examples:  Check in with your neighbors and ask if they have extra supplies to share or trade.   Join local “buy nothing” groups on social media for free items.   Swap supplies with friends and family – for example, trade extra bottled water for spare batteries.   5. Take Advantage of Free Resources  Local governments, emergency agencies, and nonprofits offer free preparedness materials and sometimes emergency supplies at community events. Check the County’s website regularly for information on upcoming events.   Examples:  Get emergency preparedness tips, kit checklists, and planning guides at fairfaxcounty.gov/health/emergency.   Sign up for emergency alerts with Fairfax Alerts.   Visit the Fairfax County Emergency Blog for more preparedness information.