|
Healthcare Professionals Newsletter
|
|
Strengthening Brain Health Across the Commonwealth: Join the Healthy Brain Virginia Initiative
The Healthy Brain Virginia program at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is advancing efforts to improve cognitive health outcomes through education, awareness, and statewide collaboration.
Why It Matters:
More than 160,000 Virginians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). As the aging population grows, the need for a coordinated public health response is more urgent than ever. Health professionals, providers, and public health departments play a critical role in early detection, risk reduction, and connecting families with care and support.
Ways You Can Engage:
✅ Request ADRD Training & Education: VDH offers virtual and in-person workshops for healthcare teams, local health departments, and community partners. Training includes early detection, brain health risk reduction, and how to better support caregivers.
✅ Access Provider Resources: Get connected with our toolkits, infographics, and clinical support materials to improve care for individuals experiencing cognitive decline.
✅ Collaborate with Us: We're building a statewide network of partners to elevate ADRD awareness, equity in diagnosis, and care coordination. Join our efforts in supporting Virginia’s Dementia State Plan and community-based strategies.
|
|
Babesiosis Cases Reported Throughout Virginia
Babesiosis appears to be emerging in Virginia. VDH encourages clinicians to consider testing patients presenting with compatible symptoms for babesiosis, even if the patient has not traveled outside of Virginia.
Babesiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite that is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged (Ixodes scapularis) tick. Ticks that transmit babesiosis can also carry other infectious organisms, such as the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Signs and symptoms of babesiosis, if present, usually develop within a few weeks or months after exposure and include fever, headache and muscle aches. People with compromised immune systems or those who do not have a spleen are at higher risk for severe manifestations of babesiosis, such as hemolytic anemia.
The preferred treatment for babesiosis is different than for many other tickborne diseases and typically includes atovaquone and azithromycin.
Hepatitis C Testing Recommendation
-
VDH encourages providers to read this guidance update and implement these recommendations.
-
Current reporting data indicates some providers have not yet implemented these recommendations.
-
For more information about Hepatitis C reporting, please contact Colin Dwyer (colin.dwyer@vdh.virginia.gov).
VDH Reports Third Measles Case
|
|
Alert: Use Only Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures
Healthcare providers should use only single-use ultrasound gel products labeled as “sterile” in preparation for or during procedures that involve skin or tissue puncture. CDC recently issued an alert related to non-sterile ultrasound gel. The same environmental bacterium was identified in non-sterile ultrasound gel and patient cultures.
For more information, review the:
Reminder: Order CDC Print Materials Before Deadline
-
The CDC Publications Warehouse program is closing in September.
-
The last day to place orders for printed materials is August 15, 2025.
-
The program offers free printed materials to their partners, but the demand for printed materials has declined.
|
|
Back on the Road: Infection Prevention Training
 |
|
Buckle up for the 2025 Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow—a one-day, in-person training to help you build your educator toolkit. Whether you teach infection prevention full time or just wear the educator hat now and then, this no-cost event is your pit stop for practical skills, plain language tips, and fun ways to make infection prevention training stick. |
|
|
Did someone forward this email to you?
Subscribe here to get future updates straight to your inbox!
|
|
|
|
|
