Updates from the Health Department
August 22, 2024
Although it may feel like summer is winding down, the Health Department urges everyone to prevent mosquito bites while spending time outdoors. The Health Department reminds residents to prevent mosquito bites and prevent mosquitoes from breeding on their property. Some mosquito bites are just annoying, but others are more than just a nuisance and can cause serious health issues.
The best way to prevent mosquito bites include:
Use repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecaone, making sure to follow label instructions.
Wear loose fitting long pants and long sleeves to cover exposed skin.
Limit exposure to mosquitoes during peak biting times, especially at dusk and dawn.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Many of the places where mosquitoes develop on private property are artificial containers holding small amounts of water. Checking your yard for standing water or containers holding water weekly and eliminating that water can help reduce the number of mosquitoes around where you live. Any kind of container can become a mosquito breeding site, but the most common ones found in our yards are gardening equipment, tarps, household items that are left outside, and corrugated downspout extensions.
The Health Department offers free yard inspections for anyone in the Fairfax Health District who is trying to manage a mosquito problem in their yard. Request a mosquito inspection of your yard from the Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health online or call 703-246-2201, TTY 711.
Another reason to protect yourself from mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding from your yard is to help prevent West Nile virus (WNV). This virus is present in mosquitoes in our region every year. Positive mosquitoes have been collected in Fairfax Health District, underscoring the importance of preventing mosquito bites. No human cases have been reported. Some infected mosquitoes can spread WNV to people and some of those people can become sick. People at greatest risk for serious disease associated with WNV infection are adults over the age of 60. People with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplant recipients, are also at greater risk. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, and lethargy should seek medical attention right away.
The Health Department uses an integrated approach to mosquito management to minimize the risk of human disease, including the following:
Educating the public about ways to reduce their risk of WNV
Collecting and testing adult mosquitoes throughout the Health District from May through October.
Investigating human cases of mosquito-borne disease.
Responding to requests from homeowners for help with mosquitoes on their property.
Performing routine mosquito inspections and treatments of stormwater ponds throughout Fairfax County.
For more information, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/fightthebite or call 703-246-2201, TTY 711.
August 14, 2024
The Fairfax Health District is experiencing an increase in pertussis illness, which is also known as “whooping cough.” An increase is also occurring across Virginia and nationwide.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis is an illness caused by bacteria. It is spread from person to person through the air. When an ill person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets are released in the air that other people can breathe in. It spreads more easily when people spend a lot of time together or share breathing space.
At first, pertussis can seem like a common cold. Symptoms can include:
Runny or stuffed-up nose
Low fever
Mild cough.
These symptoms can last 1 to 2 weeks. Then, people may develop coughing fits (paroxysms) which can last weeks to months. During these fits, people may:
Make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when they breathe in after a coughing fit
Vomit during or after coughing fits
Feel tired after the fit, but seem well in-between fits
Have trouble sleeping at night
Struggle to breathe
Fracture (break) a rib from coughing too hard.
Babies may not have a cough at all but instead gasp for air or have pauses in breathing (apnea) which is life-threatening. Apnea can cause the baby to turn blue. About 1 in 3 babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough need care in the hospital.
Others who are at higher risk for getting very sick include people with weakened immune systems and those with moderate or severe asthma.
How can I prevent getting pertussis?
The best way to avoid whooping cough is to get vaccinated. There are two types of vaccines that protect against it: DTaP and Tdap. They also protect against diphtheria and tetanus.
Children should get five doses of DTaP, including at least one dose on or after their 4th birthday.
Preteen ages 11 to 12 years should get a booster dose of Tdap before they start 7th grade.
Adults should get a booster dose of Tdap every 10 years and during every pregnancy.
These vaccines work well, but protection fades over time, so booster doses are needed to ensure you are protected.
How is pertussis treated?
Healthcare providers usually treat whooping cough with antibiotics. It is important to start treatment early to prevent medical complications and to help prevent the spread of disease to others.
How can I protect myself and loved ones?
Stay up-to-date on vaccines that protect against pertussis .
Talk to a healthcare provider if you or your child have been around someone with whooping cough. They may give you antibiotics to prevent illness.
See a healthcare provider if you or your child have coughing fits. Seek immediate care if you or your child has trouble breathing.
Additional information
Learn more about whooping cough (pertussis) from the CDC.
Check out required childhood immunizations on our website.
See when we are hosting back-to-school immunization clinics for the 2024-25 school year.
Visit our web page and follow us on social media for updates on respiratory illnesses and other health topics.
August 9, 2024
WIC and other resources are available to support your breastfeeding goals.
Good nutrition during the first 2 years of life is vital for your child’s healthy growth and development. Human breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies.
Health organizations recommend breastfeeding (also called chestfeeding) for up to 2 years of age or longer*. Feeding your baby only breast milk is recommended for the first six months of life (along with any necessary medications or vitamin and mineral supplements)**. Then continuing to breastfeed while introducing complementary food beginning at 6 months old.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother (or birthing parent) and baby. It helps your baby feel safe, warm, secure, and loved. It can also reduce the risk for certain health conditions for both infants and mothers.
Finding Support for Breastfeeding
Even though it is natural, there are some basic things to learn to help you succeed. And for some, breastfeeding can be challenging for a number of reasons. Everyone’s experience is different, but it is important to remember:
Your friends and family can help you in many ways. For example, they can help change diapers, run errands, and prepare meals.
Take care of yourself. Making sure you are eating, drinking, and resting enough can help you take care of your baby. We know it can be easier said than done, here are some tips.
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program can also help support you and your breastfeeding journey so that you can meet your goals. WIC staff includes trained breastfeeding peer counselors and lactation experts who will encourage you and help address basic breastfeeding concerns. Support is offered both in person and by phone. Learn more about enrolling in WIC.
More Information
See our Infant Nutrition page.
Learn more from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health.
It's Only Natural has breastfeeding information for African-American women.
Call the National Women's Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 1-800-994-9662 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6 pm ET)
Call or text the Maternal Mental Health Hotline when you need support: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (24/7)
Visit our web page and follow us on social media for updates on this and other Maternal and Child Health topics.
*The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend continuing breastfeeding through at least two years of age.
**Recommendations are from the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
August 2, 2024
There is a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections that includes Virginia and Maryland. The outbreak is associated with meats sliced at deli counters. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food.
Due to possible Listeria contamination, Boar's Head Provisions Co. has recalled ready-to-eat liverwurst and other deli meat products, including prepackaged meats, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. Products have “sell by” dates ranging from July 25, 2024 – October 17, 2024. See this recall notice for details about all recalled products.
Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate many foods. People who eat those foods can get infected with Listeria. The infection is called listeriosis. You are at higher risk for getting very sick if you are:
Pregnant. A Listeria infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
Aged 65 or older or have weakened immune system. Listeria in these groups most often causes bloodstream infection or meningitis, an infection of the lining of the spinal cord.
Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
The CDC recommends the following actions.
Do not eat recalled meats. Throw them away or contact stores about returns.
If you are at higher risk for listeriosis, do not eat any other deli meat you get sliced at deli counters, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. You can also choose safer foods to eat instead of deli meat.
Check your refrigerator for any recalled deli meats and throw them away or return them to the store.
Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched recalled meats.
If you’ve eaten a food that’s been recalled or are at high risk for severe illness, watch for symptoms of a Listeria infection and call your doctor if you develop these symptoms.
People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
Anyone who has a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or sensitivity to light should seek emergency care immediately. These signs and symptoms can indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a Listeria infection.
Additional information
Visit the CDC outbreak website for the most up to date information.
See a full product list and product labels.
See what the Virginia Department of Health is doing.
Learn more about Listeria from the CDC and from the FDA.
Visit our web page and follow us on social media for updates on this and other food safety topics.
Healthy Back to School
Wash Your Hands Often
Breastfeeding Month
Preparing for Extreme Heat
Mosquito & Tick Bite Prevention
Health Dept. Strategic Plan
Parents: Get your child's immunizations up-to-date!
Don’t wait, get caught up on well check-ups and recommended childhood immunizations now!
Ensuring children are up-to-date on their vaccinations helps provide immunity before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are safe and effective.
And remember, vaccination it important at all ages. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers, make sure you are up to date, too!