Health Department

Getting the flu is terrible for anyone, but can be especially dangerous for people ages 65 and older. While the flu vaccine may not prevent every infection, it plays a critical role in reducing severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.This respiratory season, The Health Department challenged 15 skilled nursing facilities to reach 90% flu vaccination for both residents and staff to provide the strongest protection possible. Mount Vernon Healthcare Center (MVHC) not only reached that goal, but surpassed it, reporting 97% of residents and 93% of staff vaccinated against flu this season. For this achievement, MVHC was recognized by the Fairfax County Health Department. Pictured L to R: Amanda Burton, Respiratory Epidemiologist, FCHD; Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Director of Epidemiology & Population Health, FCHD; Mariatu Sangarie, Staff Educator and Infection Preventionist, MVHC; Asiatu Jalloh, RN, Asst. Director of Nursing, MVHC; and Shawn Harper, RN, Public Health Nurse, FCHD  Mariatu Sangarie, the infection preventionist at MVCH, credits the achievement to one thing above all else: teamwork. “We call ourselves the Dream Team,” Mariatu shared. “I work with very good managers who are willing to jump on any project we have. When we know we have to do something, it’s all hands on deck.” Managers didn’t just support the effort, they led it. They divided responsibilities to make sure every section of the building was covered and for all shifts. “We were at it every day and every night,” Mariatu said. “We got everyone involved.” Mount Vernon Healthcare Center's Clinical "Dream Team" Mount Vernon Healthcare Center is also one of the few skilled nursing facilities that have a flu vaccine declination masking policy, meaning staff who choose not to receive the flu vaccine are required to wear a mask during respiratory season (October to May). Leadership consistently enforced the policy, reinforcing clear expectations and emphasizing that vaccination is part of protecting both coworkers and residents.Reaching the 90% goal was not without challenges. Some staff were hesitant, while others worried the vaccine would make them sick or cause them to miss work. Mariatu and the management team took time to address misconceptions and continued offering vaccination opportunities throughout the season. When the night staff were getting left behind, Mariatu showed up early to connect one on one with staff who were finishing their shifts. That persistence—respectful, consistent, and rooted in protecting residents and staff—made a difference. Several individuals who initially declined ultimately changed their minds and chose to get vaccinated.Reaching 90% flu vaccination coverage doesn’t happen by accident. Mount Vernon Healthcare Center demonstrated that success requires more than a single flu clinic. It takes teamwork, creativity, clear policies, and steady follow-up. To the Dream Team and every staff member who rolled up their sleeves- thank you for your dedication this respiratory season. Your efforts help protect some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

 On Friday, February 27, the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax (PFHF) held their Annual Meeting at the Fairfax County Government Center to launch the new Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). More than 100 people attended and discussed the importance of working together to achieve the vision of a healthier Fairfax community.Members of the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC) also joined the members of PFHF to meet others working to enhance the health and well-being of Fairfax communities, especially those with the highest levels of health disparities, and to engage in conversations around common goals presented in the new CHIP.A panel presentation on the “Power of Partnership” highlighted how different forms of partnership can look, the importance of centering the voices of community members with lived experience and facing health disparities, and that it is ok to start small and refine approaches before implementing on a larger scale. Vinu Ilakkuvan, Founder and Principal, PoP Health, LLC served as panel moderator. Panelist included Sonya Breehey, Northern Virginia Advocacy Director/Operations Coordinator, Coalition for Smarter Growth; Lynette Sappe-Watkins, Executive Director, Culmore Clinic, and Yolonda Earl-Thompson, Executive Director of LAZERA Ministries who shared, “At LAZERA Ministries, we’ve seen firsthand that proximity changes perspective. When we make room for youth voice, family voice, and lived experience, the work becomes more authentic — and more effective.”

From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)The Virginia Department of Health is reporting two confirmed cases of measles in residents of Northern Virginia. The patients are adults who recently traveled together domestically. To protect the patients’ privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patients. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:Harris Teeter, located at 10060 Market Circle in Manassas, between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 13Walmart, located at 9401 Liberia Avenue in Manassas, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, February 13Marco’s Pizza, located at 9223 Sudley Road in Manassas, between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday, February 13Bull Run Unitarian Universalists, located at 9350 Main Street in Manassas, between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14Best Buy Outlet, located at 7665 Sudley Road in Manassas, between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, February 14Mountaintop Church, located at 9213 Center Street in ManassasSaturday, February 14 between 4:30 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.Sunday, February 15 between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Lidl, located at 9795 Liberia Avenue in Manassas, between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, February 15Target, located at 9900 Sowder Village Square in Manassas, between 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, February 15Medical Center, located at 7051 Heathcote Village Way in Gainesville, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, February 16Office Building, located at 2800 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 17To date in 2026, Virginia has 10 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:Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.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 healthcare 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 healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. If you have already completed the above survey, your local health department will reach out to you to provide recommendations if additional actions are needed.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 healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare 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 from these exposures is by February 18 and March 10.Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.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 your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.