 📌 H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cattle
On May 3, 2024, VDH sent a clinician letter about the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle in the United States and one human case of H5N1 in Texas. No cases of H5N1 in cattle or humans have been reported in Virginia, and the current risk of H5N1 infections in people remains low.
VDH recommends that clinicians request H5N1 testing in any person showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (including conjunctivitis) with a relevant exposure history. Please see the clinician letter for more information on what to do if an H5N1 bird flu infection is suspected and how testing can be coordinated.
📌 Breast Cancer Screening Recommendation Update
On April 30, 2024, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its recommendations about breast cancer screening in women at average risk for the condition. The USPSTF now recommends that women have screening mammograms every other year from age 40 to 74. This is a change from the last update in 2016 that advised screening mammograms beginning at age 50. Please see the USPTF website for more information.
📌 Virginia Asthma Action Plan
In March, the Virginia Asthma Action Plan Expert Group updated the Virginia Asthma Action Plan. A fillable 2024 Asthma Action Plan is available to healthcare providers and families on VDH's school health webpage under Action Plans and Toolkits.
📌 Financial Assistance for COVID-19 Treatment
Financial assistance programs are available to provide COVID-19 treatment to patients for free or at a reduced cost. Please see ASPR's website for more information about programs that are available. VDH has also created a flyer about Paxlovid's program that can be given to patients who are prescribed Paxlovid—available in English and Spanish.
📌 Updated Guidance on Infection Control
In March 2024, CDC revised “Epidemiology and Control of Selected Infections Transmitted Among Healthcare Personnel and Patients.” This guidance document describes how to manage exposed or potentially infectious healthcare personnel. Updated sections address measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and pregnant healthcare personnel.
📌 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
HHS has released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. This update includes information on the strategic direction, goals and objectives for all states, and also highlights the need for a public health response to suicide. States should engage with these goals to ensure a robust suicide prevention continuum of care. Healthcare professionals interested in training, policy, procedure and other technical assistance needs related to suicide can contact VDH's Suicide Prevention Coordinator at justin.wallace@vdh.virgina.gov.
📌 CAMS Training
VDH's Suicide Prevention Program has secured funding to support training in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), an evidence-based suicide intervention framework, for interested clinicians working in the mental health space. This training comes at no cost to providers and includes continuing education credits.
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