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Healthcare Professionals Newsletter
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Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) encourage health care providers to inform pregnant women and parents about simple ways to reduce the risk of congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) transmission. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is primarily spread through close contact with bodily fluids. These are some ways to prevent transmission:
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Avoid kissing children
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Wash hands regularly
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Avoid sharing utensils or straws
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Never put a child's pacifier in your mouth
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Do not share a toothbrush with a young child
The goal of the Virginia EHDI program is to:
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Screen infants at birth for hearing loss
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Identify congenital hearing loss in infants and children early
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Assure timely enrollment into intervention services.
Infants who fail their initial hearing screen before hospital discharge should be screened for cCMV. If CMV is detected, it’s crucial to collect a urine CMV PCR sample before the baby reaches 21 days of life. This is per the recommendations in our Hospital cCMV screening protocols.
Please contact us at (804) 212-3020 or va_ehdi@vdh.virginia.gov.
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Bicillin L-A Shortage/Recall
VDH released a clinician letter on July 24 regarding a recent supply shortage and voluntary manufacturer recall of Benzathine Penicillin, or Bicillin L-A. Institutions who purchased recalled doses received notifications directly from the manufacturer.
Any patient that has been seen by a local health department and received one of the recalled doses will receive a letter with information in the coming days.
The Division of Disease Prevention at VDH has set up a process for providers that do not have Bicillin and have identified a case of syphilis in high-priority patients. Those providers may request free doses for delivery to their practice. Learn more through the Bicillin Delivery Program announcement.
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Good oral health is important to overall health. It’s also important for the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease, which can be severe. Regular dental check-ups are key for prevention and treatment.
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Gum disease increases the risk of heart and kidney disease in diabetic patients
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Diabetes may be harder to manage in patients with a dental infection
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Treating gum disease can help lower blood sugar over time
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Signs of gum disease include swollen and bleeding gums that are often not painful
Healthcare visits should cover oral health education. This includes:
- Educating patients about the link between oral health and diabetes
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Encourage regular brushing and flossing as part of diabetes self-management
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Patient information and resources can be found on the VDH Oral Health Program webpage and the CDC website
Updated VHSL Sports Physical Form
Virginia middle and high school students must obtain a sports physical before participating in school-sponsored sports.
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The Virginia High School League (VHSL) recently released an updated version of the required sports physical form
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Healthcare providers can complete these forms, which remain valid for 14 months from the date of signing
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More information can be found on the VHSL website
2025 Immunization Champion Announcement
Congratulations to our 2025 Immunization Champion Award winner, Danielle Francisco, LPN!
Danielle is being recognized for going above and beyond in the following areas in her clinic in her role as Vaccine Coordinator in the southwest region of Virginia:
✅ Leadership
✅ Collaboration
✅ Innovation
✅ Advocacy
Thank you for all that you do for the health of your community, Danielle!
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Virginia’s Hepatitis Elimination Plan
Learn about Hep Free VA and help us to end viral hepatitis in Virginia
Viral hepatitis is an ongoing and nationwide public health concern. Last year in Virginia, reportable viral hepatitis cases were the third highest reportable condition. Untreated viral hepatitis can cause serious negative health outcomes, including: liver disease, liver cancer, and death. However, vaccines and antiviral treatments can help to stop viral hepatitis.
VDH has collaborated with a range of statewide stakeholders to create Hep Free VA. Hep Free VA developed Virginia’s Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan. The plan aims to eliminate viral hepatitis in Virginia by 2030 by achieving six main goals.
Goal 1: Prevent New Viral Hepatitis Infections
Goal 2: Improve Viral Hepatitis-Related Health Outcomes of People with Viral Hepatitis
Goal 3: Reduce Viral Hepatitis-Related Disparities
Goal 4: Improve Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Data Usage
Goal 5: Achieve Integrated, Coordinated Efforts that Address the Viral Hepatitis Epidemics among All Partners and Stakeholders
Goal 6: Secure Sustainable Funding to Address Viral Hepatitis Epidemics
If you would like to get involved to end viral hepatitis in Virginia, please contact Colin Dwyer at colin.dwyer@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 613-8228.
New Treatment Available for HIV PrEP
Lenacapavir was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 18 for use as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). It’s an injection given twice a year. It will be sold under the brand name Yeztugo (yez-TOO-go).
Lenacapavir (Sunlenca) was approved for HIV treatment in 2022 for people with HIV. This was specific to those with limited treatment options due to drug resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.
If you have any questions, please contact:
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Nourishing Resilience: SAFE Infant Feeding in Crisis Training Series
Please join the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Support and Advocacy for Infant Feeding in Emergencies (NCBfC SAFE) Team for an 11-month virtual training series.
The “Nourishing Resilience: SAFE Infant Feeding in Crisis” series begins Tuesday, September 9 at 1pm ET. It will occur monthly on the second Tuesday at 1pm until July 2026.
This will be a great educational opportunity for healthcare providers, lactation and childbirth professionals, first responders, community health workers, volunteers, and those interested in infant and young child feeding and emergency preparedness.
Back on the Road: Infection Prevention Training That Goes the
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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.
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2025 Community Health Forum, August 26-27
We are excited to announce the 2025 Community Health Forum hosted by the Virginia Department of Health on August 26 and 27 in Hopewell, VA. The overall mission of the forum is to educate and revitalize our public health workforce, by determining best practices for change and innovation.
The forum is open to community partners, students, and public health or healthcare professionals with an interest in improving community health in the Commonwealth.
Virginia Cancer Conference, September 11-12
Continuing education credits are being offered through VCU Health Continuing Medical Education.
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