Updates from the Health Department
January 30, 2026
Original article posted in Fairfax County's Golden Gazette.Fairfax County Health Department staff member Mamata shared her antibiotics expertise with older adults in the February 2026 edition of Golden Gazette. Standing in the middle of my kitchen one morning, my husband asked me a simple question: “What do you actually do at work?”I had been in my new role for four months and I tried to explain it in everyday terms.“My role,” I explained, “is to support antibiotic stewardship in skilled nursing facilities. I help people use antibiotics carefully and only when they’re truly needed.”He laughed and said, “Isn’t that what you’ve been saying for years?”He was right, and that moment reminded me how closely my work aligns with what I’ve always believed: antibiotics are powerful medicine, and they should be used wisely.Antibiotics are one of the greatest medical discoveries of our time. They have saved millions of lives and prevented countless complications. But like all medications, antibiotics come with risks. They can’t tell the difference between harmful bacteria and “good” bacteria, like the ones that help us digest food and keep our bodies in balance. When those helpful bacteria are wiped out, tougher germs like Clostridioides difficile (often called C. diff) can take over. C. diff may cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, hospitalization, and even death, and because it survives for a long time in the environment, may spread to others.So when people ask, “What’s the harm in taking an antibiotic just to be safe?” The answer is sometimes: quite a lot.Antibiotics are frequently prescribed in long-term care facilities, often inappropriately. Up to 70% of nursing home residents receive one or more courses of antibiotics in a year, and an estimated 40-75% of those prescriptions are unnecessary or inappropriate according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Not long ago, I faced the same dilemma many families experience when caring for an older loved one. My mother, who has diabetes and other chronic conditions, came to visit us. Like many older adults abroad, she travels with her medications and worries about the cost and stress of seeking medical care while away from home.One morning, she told me she thought she might have a urinary tract infection and asked whether she should start an antibiotic she had brought “just in case.” She said she was going to the bathroom more often than usual and felt a little confused. When I checked on her, she was alert, answering normally, and had no fever. While her symptoms were uncomfortable, nothing clearly pointed to an infection.Testing her urine wasn’t the best option either. Up to half of older adults have bacteria in their urine without having an infection. These bacteria live there harmlessly. Treating someone for bacteria that is not causing an infection doesn’t help them. It can actually increase the risk of developing an antibiotic-resistant infection later.Instead of rushing to start antibiotics, we chose to monitor her closely. I checked on her throughout the day, encouraged her to drink fluids, and kept a careful eye on her symptoms. By the next day, she felt completely fine. We realized her symptoms were caused by too much caffeine, not by an infection.This small moment reflects a much bigger issue. When antibiotics are used when they’re not needed, bacteria can learn to resist them. Over time, this makes infections harder to treat. In the United States, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the CDC's 2019 Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats Report.We all play a role in keeping antibiotics effective and keeping our loved ones safe. So, the next time you or a loved one considers taking an antibiotic “just in case,” consider the potential harms and see a healthcare provider who can do a complete evaluation to see whether an antibiotic is needed. Perhaps keeping a close watch (active monitoring) is a better choice. Understanding the “why” behind a healthcare provider’s recommendation can help you feel confident that they are making the safest choice.There will always be times when antibiotics are necessary but using them only when they’re truly needed helps ensure they will continue to work when we depend on them most.Resources and ReferencesU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Resistance - cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/data-research/facts-stats/index.htmlCDC: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection Information - cdc.gov/c-diff/index.htmlCDC: Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes - cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/hcp/core-elements/nursing-homes-antibiotic-stewardship.htmlFairfax County Health Department / Older Adult Health & Wellness Resources - FairfaxCounty.gov/familyservices/older-adultsAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Antibiotic Stewardship in Long-Term Care - ahrq.gov/antibiotic-use/long-term-care/index.html
January 22, 2026
With extremely cold temperatures and the possibility of snow accumulation in the forecast, now is the time to prepare for Winter Storm Fern. Taking proactive steps today will help keep you and your loved ones warm, healthy, and injury-free when the snow begins to fall. 1. Keep an Emergency Supply Kit in Your Car When winter storms are forecasted, the safest choice is to avoid driving altogether to reduce your risk. If driving is unavoidable, keep an emergency supply kit in your car so that you have resources to keep you safe. Your car’s emergency supply kit should include:warm protective clothingwater and snackscell phone chargerfirst aid kitjumper cablesspare tireblanketsflashlightsnow shovelbrushKeep your gas tank full whenever winter storms are forecast. 2. Dress for the Weather During extreme cold and winter storms, it's best to stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress appropriately by layering your clothing to preserve body heat. Wear a warm hat, layers, gloves, a warm outer layer, waterproof boots, and a warm face mask. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends wearing three top layers, with one layer being insulating, and at least two bottom layers. Limit your time outdoors as much as you can and return inside as soon as possible. 3. Shovel Smartly to Avoid Illness and Injury Snow can be heavy and wet, making shoveling a physically strenuous activity, potentially causing heart attack and injury. Avoid shoveling if you have a cardiovascular condition; instead, recruit the help of neighbors or friends to shovel. When shoveling, dress warmly, stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks. Only move small amounts of snow at a time to avoid overexertion. Be mindful of slippery or icy spots; falls are a common injury during winter storms. 4. Have a Power Outage Plan In the event of a power outage, retain heat by closing your blinds or curtains, and closing off unused rooms. Stuff towels or rags in the cracks under doors to prevent heat from escaping. Dress in warm layers. Only use generators outside, away from windows and doors. Portable generators produce deadly carbon monoxide, which can kill within minutes. Keep a working, battery-powered carbon monoxide detector in your home. Food is safe as long as the fridge stays below 40°F. Use coolers with ice to preserve perishable items if necessary and keep an eye on any temperature-sensitive medications you may have. 5. Plan for Medical Needs, including Durable Medical Equipment (DME) If you or a family member relies on medical equipment requiring electricity, contact your utility company to register for priority restoration and have a backup power source. Refill prescriptions before severe weather arrives to ensure you don’t run out. Maintain a list of emergency contacts, including your health care provider and local emergency services. Visit Fairfax County’s Guide to Snow for more information on winter preparedness, snow removal, the county’s operating status, and more.Additional resources:10 Things to Know for This Weekend’s Snowstorm | Fairfax County Emergency BlogProtect Your Health During Winter Weather Events | Fairfax County Health Department
January 20, 2026
From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)The Virginia Department of Health is reporting a confirmed case of measles in a resident of the Northern Region. The patient is a preschool-age child (0-4 years) who recently traveled internationally. This case is unrelated to a recent measles case reported on January 11. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed and appreciate the active collaboration of affected health care facilities.Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:PM Pediatric Urgent Care, located at 2690 Prince William Parkway in WoodbridgeTuesday, Jan. 13 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Inova Children’s Emergency Department, located at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls ChurchThursday, Jan.15 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.Friday, Jan. 16 from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.Inova Fairfax Hospital Women’s and Children’s Building, Floors 2-10, located at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls ChurchSaturday, Jan.17 at 2:30 a.m. to Sunday, Jan. 18 at 5 p.m.To date in 2026, Virginia has three reported cases of measles. Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to MeaslesMost people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.To check your immunization status, call your health care provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their health care provider or call their local health department immediately. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. There is a small timeframe for these protective post-exposure treatments to be effective.Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your health care provider right away. If you need to seek health care, call ahead before going to your health care provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.The most likely time you would become sick would be between Jan. 20 to Feb. 8.Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.The Fairfax County Health Department hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, if you need to report information about potential measles exposure, please call our communicable disease line immediately at 703-246-2433. This number's voicemail is reviewed on weekends and holidays. General Measles InformationMeasles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to a health care provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.For more information about measles, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
January 15, 2026
Ten Fairfax County Health Department Youth Ambassadors (PHYA) traveled to Georgetown University to present their community health projects to faculty members of the School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine on Monday, January 12. The program marked the final competition for students from Justice and Mount Vernon High Schools who participated in the Youth Ambassador program during the fall semester.
Top prize winner Jaelin Smith with Dr. LaTasha Seliby-Perkins
Top Awardees were:Jaelin Smith, Mount Vernon High School, Best Individual Project entitled “Insiders Perspective on Autism.” Christopher Ramirez, Mount Vernon High School, second place for his project that aimed to increase access to in-home blood pressure and glucose monitoring.Miriam Gargis, Thomas Jefferson High School, third place for her project on educating young adults about the dangers of opioid misuse.Students in the PHYAP are required to develop a community health project to successfully complete the program. Participants select health issues that are relevant or meaningful to their communities and create actionable plans on how to address the issue. Projects are judged on originality, cultural relevance, and feasibility.After two rounds of preliminary judging by Fairfax County Health Department staff, 10 students advanced to a final round. Issues that students addressed included: Elder nutrition and physical activity, green spaces for stress management, gun violence, mindfulness strategies, and cancer.The panel of judges included Georgetown University staff: Dr. Khaseem Davis, MD, Senior Associate Dean of the Department of Family Medicine; Dr. Kim Bullock MD, Associate Professor; Lady Nwadike, Adjunct Faculty Advisor; and Dr. LaTasha Seliby-Perkins, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Community-Based Learning at the School of Medicine. At the conclusion of the competition, students received a tour of the Georgetown University School of Medicine facilities. The event was coordinated by Dr. Seliby-Perkins, who also served as MC and host of the event.This is the second straight year the Georgetown University School of Medicine has welcomed PHYAP’s students, while playing an equally important role as a partner to the program. Throughout the Fall cohort, medical students from their program served as mentors to the ambassadors, while providing in-class instruction that helped re-enforce some of the curriculum’s medicine-based modules. PHYAP’s goal is that its high school students will develop mentor relationships with the med students that will continue to blossom as they seek careers in medicine, education, and other related professional fields.For anyone interested in joining the program for the Spring 2026 semester, applications are open now. Learn more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program, including how to submit an application.
Wash Your Hands Often
Mosquito & Tick Bite Prevention
Health Dept. Strategic Plan
Parents: Get your child's immunizations up-to-date!
Ensuring children are up-to-date on their vaccinations helps provide immunity before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
And remember, vaccination it important at all ages. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers, make sure you are up to date, too!