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In this monthly issue:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations & Respiratory Virus Guidance Update
- Spotlight Series: 'Paws' and Prevent Rabies
- Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week
- Get to Know Your Kidneys
- This Winter Season: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
- Join Our Team!
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COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Disease Prevention (CDC) recommends adults ages 65 years and over get an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The additional dose can be given at least 4 months following the previous dose of 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. This can provide additional protection for older adults, who are at the highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
Find a vaccine appointment near you at Vaccines.gov or Vacunas.gov
Respiratory Virus Guidance Update
The CDC has updated its guidance on respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, flu and RSV. These updates provide more streamlined recommendations and prevention strategies. The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.
People with symptoms of a respiratory virus should:
- Stay home and away from others
- People can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
Once you resume normal activity, take precautions for the next 5 days to curb the spread of illness.
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Spotlight Series: 'Paws' & Prevent Rabies
 As we enter March and spring approaches us, let's take a moment to 'paws' and raise rabies awareness, with expert insights from the Prince William Health District (PWHD)!
In a recent conversation with Kira Funge, Environmental Health Associate at PWHD and public health experts, we gained valuable insights into the critical aspects of rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease. It spreads through both bite and non-bite contact with the saliva or central nervous system tissue of an infected animal. It can harm both humans and pets with its almost 100% fatality rate. Thankfully with proper precautions rabies is preventable.
Knowing the Risks
Kira emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with rabies exposure. She highlighted the following:
- Mammals, particularly wildlife like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, are the primary carriers of the virus.
- Pets like dogs and cats can also contract and spread rabies if not vaccinated.
Prevention Measures for Pets
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Discussing preventive measures for pets, Kira and public health experts pointed out the significance of rabies vaccination. Starting at four months old, pets like dogs and cats can receive a rabies vaccine. A rabies vaccine is initially effective for one year and then for three years with subsequent boosters.
Keeping pets on a leash and avoiding contact with stray animals, and wildlife are also essential practices to prevent exposure.
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Exposure and Response
We learned that all exposures, including animal bites or scratches, involving humans must be reported to your local animal control service. Exposure of pets to potentially rabid wild animals should also be reported.
Remember to remain calm and contact animal control right away if bitten by an unknown animal:
Additionally, if you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, please consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate care.
Confinement Period: Pet owners may hesitate to reach out to animal control if their pet has been involved in a bite incident, due to concerns of the 10-day confinement period. However, it's important to understand that this time allows for observation of the pet's health before deciding on further recommendations.
Please note that local animal control and PWHD will advise owners about a confinement period if their pet is subject to one.
Community Outreach and Education
Community outreach and education plays a big role of in dispelling misconceptions and reducing panic among folks who may encounter rabies-exposed animals.
A common misconception about rabies symptoms is that infected animals have to be aggressive. Yes, infected animals can show strange behaviors but that is not always the case. Animals infected with rabies may appear healthy but can still spread the virus, and the only way to know for sure if an animal (or a person) has rabies is to perform laboratory testing.
Efforts to Raise Awareness
Language Barriers: Providing educational materials in multiple languages, such as Spanish, can enhance understanding and accessibility within diverse communities.
Affordability of Vaccines: Increasing access to rabies vaccines through affordable or free clinics can encourage pet owners to vaccinate their animals regularly.
Call to Action
Education is one of the most powerful tools in preventing rabies. Listed below are some of the key takeaways:
- Remain calm
- Don't feed the wildlife
- Contact animal control in case of exposure
- Prioritize preventive measures for both pets and humans
- Raise awareness and promote responsible pet ownership
By understanding the risks, implementing preventive measures, and fostering community education, we can work together towards a safer and healthier environment for humans and animals alike.
Resources
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 Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week
Starting today until March 8 the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has partnered with the National Weather Service (NWS) to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week! Every day this week be prepared to learn about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It’s also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan!
Monday March 4: Watch ⚠️ vs. Warning 🛑
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Watch: When conditions are possible in and around the area. It does not mean that they will occur, just that severe weather is possible.
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Warning: Weather conditions for severe weather are occurring or imminent in the area.
Tuesday March 5: Tornados 🌪️
Tornados can happen at anytime and anywhere, with over 200 mph winds. If you are under a tornado warning, find shelter immediately, away from windows, doors, and exterior walls. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
 Mark your calendars for Virginia’s annual statewide tornado drill for 2024 which will take place on Thursday, March 7, at 9:45 AM EST. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill.
Wednesday March 6: Severe Thunderstorms (Hail, Lightning, and Wind) 🌩️
When thunder roars, go indoors! Move indoors as soon as possible and stay tuned to weather alerts and warnings. If you’re outdoors, watch out for fallen power lines and trees.
Thursday March 7: Flash Flooding 🌧️
Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods. They combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed. Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it. If you come across a flash flood, remember Turn Around Don't Drown.
Friday March 8: Outdoor Weather Safety 🏞️
With spring right around the corner here are some tips to help with outdoor weather safety and preparedness:
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Know Before You Go! Before heading outdoors, check the latest forecast from the NWS, or from a trusted weather source. If severe weather is expected, stay home, or go before the weather is expected to deteriorate.
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Monitor the Weather. Have a NOAA Weather Radio, and/or apps that have radar and lightning data. Make sure you have a way to receive weather warnings.
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Stop all Activities when you hear thunder or when weather conditions look threatening. The first lightning strike can come out of a clear blue sky many miles ahead of an approaching thunderstorm cloud.
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Know your area. In hilly terrain, flash floods can strike with little or no advance warning -- Distant rain may be channeled into gullies and ravines, turning a quiet stream into a rampaging torrent in minutes -- Never camp on low ground next to streams since a flash flood can catch you while you're asleep.
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Turn Around Don't Drown. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around, and go another way. Climb to higher ground.
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When Thunder Roars Go Indoors. There is no 100% safe shelter outside. The only place of safety from lightning is inside a vehicle or a substantial, enclosed structure. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles. Stay away from tall objects such as towers, fences, telephone poles, and power lines.
For More Information on Severe Weather Readiness and Local Weather Alerts:
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 No matter your age, or whether you have kidney disease, learning about your kidneys can prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) your kidneys filter all of your blood 25 times a day!
🫁Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine.
🩸Kidneys filter your blood and make urine. They balance the water, salts, and minerals in your blood and remove waste, acid, and extra fluid.
⚠️If your kidneys are struggling, they will work harder to keep up—you can lose up to 60% of your kidney function before you notice any problems.
Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Eat foods lower in salt.
- Stay active.
- Stay in your target cholesterol range.
- Manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Have questions?
Talk with a health care professional about your kidney's health and visit niddk.nih.gov for more information.
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This Winter Season: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness and hospitalization caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses – flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older should get a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. It targets the most common circulating variants for this fall/winter season.
Flu Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, should get the flu vaccine every year.
The COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine can be given at the same time, if eligible and timing coincides.
Learn more about the RSV immunizations for older adults, pregnant people, and infants.
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