Health Department Alert:
Now that fall has arrived, respiratory season is here and the number of people getting sick with a respiratory illness is expected to increase. Although germs will be circulating over the next few months, there are many ways to stay healthy and protect yourself from flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Remember, vaccination is your first line of defense against respiratory diseases.
Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu vaccine every year.
When to get it: The ideal time is by the end of October, but you can still get vaccinated later in the season. Flu viruses usually start increasing in early October, peak in January or February, and can circulate through late May.
What’s in the vaccine: The current flu shot protects against three flu virus strains, including the influenza A(H3N2) subclade K virus that spread widely during the 2025–2026 season.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older.
Who especially needs it: Older adults, infants, and people who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated because they are at higher risk of severe illness.
Why an updated dose matters: Protection from COVID-19 vaccines decreases over time, so getting an updated dose (if you are eligible) helps restore and maintain protection.
All adults 75 years and older should receive a single dose of an RSV vaccine.
Adults aged 50–74 with certain health conditions should talk with their healthcare provider to decide if the RSV vaccine is appropriate, as some conditions increase the risk of severe RSV.
All babies should be protected from severe RSV using one of two options:
These options significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization for infants during their first RSV season.
Pregnant people and parents of newborns should talk with their healthcare providers about the best RSV protection for their baby.
Practicing healthy habits can help you reduce the chances of getting and spreading respiratory viruses like flu, RSV, and COVID-19.
Help spread the message about respiratory illness. Share Respiratory Illness Resources with your friends, family, school, or health clinic.
Did you know: high blood pressure is one of the most common—and most preventable—threats to our health? High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the "silent killer" because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, but puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Do you know: high blood pressure can raise the risk of serious problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss?
And do you know: the good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled with medication, healthier eating, regular physical activity, and other healthy habits?
Then you should know: that before you can take steps to control high blood pressure, you have to know your numbers.
Because high blood pressure usually doesn't cause noticeable symptoms, you can't rely on how you feel to know whether your blood pressure is too high. The only way to know is to have it measured. That's why routine blood pressure checks are recommended for adults age 18 and older and why knowing your numbers can be one of the simplest, most important steps you can take for your health.
To help address the growing number of adults living with uncontrolled high blood pressure, the Fairfax County Health Department is launching Know Your Numbers, Own Your Future, a year-long public health campaign focused on a simple but important step: knowing your blood pressure numbers.
The campaign will give Fairfax County residents practical information they can use to better understand their blood pressure and make informed decisions about their health. The campaign will focus on three key actions:
For people who have high blood pressure, knowing the numbers is only the beginning. The campaign will encourage residents to talk with their health care provider about their readings and learn what they can do to manage their blood pressure. Taking prescribed medication, eating a healthier diet, getting regular physical activity, and making other healthy lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of serious health problems.
Residents can find additional information and resources on the Health Department website that will provide information about blood pressure screening, treatment, lifestyle changes, and ongoing blood pressure management. The site will also feature local programs, community resources, tools, and events and will be updated throughout the year.
Everyone can play a role in spreading the word. Share campaign information with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community groups. Encourage the people in your life to check their blood pressure and know their numbers. For those with high blood pressure, encourage them to follow up with a health care provider and take steps to manage it.
The goal is straightforward: to make sure people across the Fairfax Health District have the information, resources, and support they need to know their blood pressure numbers and take action to protect their health.
September is National Preparedness Month, a chance to take practical steps to get ready for emergencies. By learning local hazards, creating a communication plan, building an emergency kit, preparing for medical needs, and practicing your plan, you can strengthen your ability to respond and recover.
1. Learn Your Risk
Learn which emergencies occur in your community and how they might affect your health, transportation, and daily needs. Consider the needs of children, older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may require extra support. Understanding these risks helps you make relevant, realistic emergency plans.
To get started:
2. Create a Household Communication Plan
Deciding how you’ll communicate with loved ones before a disaster helps you stay in touch after one. It’s also important to identify how you’ll receive emergency alerts and updates, such as through the news, radio, or text alerts.
Together with your loved ones, discuss:
3. Build an Emergency Kit
Keep your emergency supplies in one easy-to-access place so that you can grab and go during an emergency. Include medications, medical supplies, important health information, and any other items your family may need.
Remember these health essentials:
4. Prepare for Medical Needs
Having a plan for managing medical needs during an emergency helps prevent interruptions in treatment. If you or a loved one has chronic conditions, mobility considerations, medical equipment, or other health needs, think about how to incorporate those into your emergency plan.
You should:
5. Practice Your Plan
Put your plans into action by practicing evacuation routes, regularly updating contact information and copies of medical records, and conducting drills for various emergency scenarios.
To practice, you can:
Related Resources
From Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health was notified of a confirmed measles case involving a person who traveled through Northern Virginia Sunday, August 16, while infectious. The person is a resident of another state. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not release additional information. Health officials are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed.
Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:
Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.
What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles
Most 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:
General Measles Information
Measles 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.
To date in 2026, Virginia has 179 reported cases of measles. For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2026 Gold Breastfeeding Award of Excellence. The award recognizes Fairfax County’s WIC program for demonstrating excellence in breastfeeding support practices and for its commitment in promoting breastfeeding through education, advocacy and its successful peer counseling program.
The award was presented during a virtual awards ceremony with the USDA and the Virginia Department of Health on August 18, coinciding with Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Fairfax County’s WIC program is being honored for its leadership in assisting WIC participants breastfeed successfully. Peer counselors receive specialized training and offer practical tips, encouragement and guidance to help families navigate breastfeeding challenges.
“Our peer counselors form a trusted network of dedicated individuals who offer guidance, understanding and lived experience,” said Gloria Lobato, Breastfeeding Coordinator with the Fairfax County WIC program. “Their support is central to helping families thrive and reach their breastfeeding goals.”
The Fairfax County Health Department administers the WIC program in the Fairfax Health District. The program provides nutritional support to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women; infants; and children up to age five. WIC staff provide nutrition education, breastfeeding support, access to healthy food benefits, and referrals to county resources for eligible individuals.
Fairfax County WIC Program by the Numbers
The USDA’s WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program recognizes local agencies that demonstrate outstanding achievement in promoting and supporting breastfeeding. USDA offers three Award categories: Gold, Premier and Elite. The WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling is an evidence-based program framework designed to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration among program participants.
The Virginia Department of Health recommends that infants breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life, with a gradual introduction of solid foods. It is also recommended that infants continue to be breastfed for two years and beyond, as long as mutually desired.
For more information about the WIC program and to see the full list of Fairfax County WIC locations, please visit the WIC webpage.
Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 cohort of the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP), offering high school age students across Fairfax County a flexible and meaningful way to build real-world skills and connections in health care and community health.
The program’s Evening and Weekend option, held at the Fairfax County Government Center, is open to all 10th–12th grade students who live in Fairfax County—whether they attend public, private, faith-based, or home schools. This flexible schedule is ideal for teens with full daytime calendars, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs, and gives families multiple ways to make the program work. Evening sessions run Monday through Thursday, and a weekend class meets each Saturday morning. Students can choose between two hands-on tracks: the High School & Young Adult Opioid Reduction Training Program or the Young Adult Mental Health Worker Program. Both options help students develop practical skills they can use right away in their schools and communities while strengthening college and career readiness.
PHYAP also continues to offer daytime programs through its long-standing partnerships with John R. Lewis High School, Justice High School, and Mount Vernon High School. At these schools, eligible students participate in Community Health Worker training during their advisory periods three days a week, gaining experience through lessons and hands-on activities led by trained facilitators.
As summer heat rises, many people notice they are less hungry. That is because digesting and storing food creates heat in the body. While your body may not want more heat, it still needs fuel and fluids to stay healthy and hydrated.
Healthy eating and drinking can help prevent heat-related illness, especially for older adults.
Summer brings some of the most powerful foods of the year — fresh, colorful produce packed with nutrients that protect your memory, muscles and heart. Sun-ripened fruits and vegetables often have more flavor and antioxidants, and light, refreshing meals fit many people’s smaller appetites in hot weather.
Berries such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries can support brain health, memory and gut health. They are easy to add to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies and salads. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which supports heart health and may help protect against some cancers. Enjoy them sliced, in a caprese salad or in fresh salsa. Corn, fresh or frozen, provides fiber and supports eye health. It can be added to salads, soups or mixed with beans.
Your brain needs water to work well. Even small amounts of extra hydration can improve memory. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. The Local Health District recommends drinking about 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes when you are working or playing outside in the heat. It is better to drink small amounts often than to chug a large amount at once. Do not drink more than 48 ounces in an hour.
Good hydration does not come only from the tap or a bottle. Many fruits and vegetables are mostly water and can help you stay hydrated. These include:
Your daily goal is 6 to 8 cups of fluid from water, tea, soup, fruit or flavored water. Using a water bottle can help you remember to drink.
When you sweat, your body loses important minerals such as sodium and potassium. This can lead to muscle cramps and tiredness. Bananas, leafy greens and coconut water can help replace these minerals. Adding these foods and drinks to your day can support muscle function and overall energy.
Some drinks can make dehydration worse. The Local Health District advises people to avoid alcohol and energy drinks, especially in hot weather. These beverages can dehydrate you and add stress to the heart.
Coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks should be enjoyed in moderation. Balance them with plenty of water and hydrating foods.
Heavy, greasy or fried foods slow digestion and can make you feel hotter and more sluggish. Lighter foods are easier to digest and can help keep your body cooler. Salads, yogurt and smoothies are good choices in hot weather. They are light, refreshing and often include fruits and vegetables that add water and nutrients.
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program supports pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5. It provides healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
Most importantly, never forget to wash the fruits and vegetables!
Cyclosporiasis cases are on the rise in some parts of the country. Most outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, an illness characterized by watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever, are linked to fresh produce grown with water contaminated by the Cyclospora parasite.
Virginia sees cases of cyclosporiasis every year, mostly in the spring and summer. All laboratory-confirmed cases are reported to their local Health Department, where a full investigation, including a detailed food history, is conducted. The most recent case counts can be found on the Virginia Department of Health’s dashboard.
The Health Department recommends that everyone:
Learn more at VDH Fact Sheet.
Summer is here! Make the most of it with these six reminders for a healthy and safe summer.
Mosquitoes and ticks can ruin outdoor fun. Their bites are more than annoying — sometimes they transmit diseases. West Nile virus and Lyme disease are two of the vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, respectively, in our region. Get in the habit of taking these simple prevention measures when you go outside:
Find more ways to fight the bite, including how to control mosquitoes and ticks.
International travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are rare or not found in the United States. If your summer plans including traveling outside the country, check to see what immunizations are recommended for the area you are visiting. Prior to traveling, you should also make sure you are up to date on all of your routine vaccines.
See what immunizations you need before traveling and where to get them.
Food poisoning peaks in the summer months when warmer temperatures cause foodborne germs to flourish. From burgers at barbeques to potato salad at potlucks, there are steps you can take to prevent foodborne illness, such as cooking food to the correct temperature and storing it properly. Get more food safety tips.
Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for multiple days. Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, but can be especially dangerous for older adults, infants and young children, and people with chronic medical conditions.
Enjoy the outdoors without raising your risk of skin cancer by protecting your skin from the sun. UV rays damage the skin which leads to wrinkles and increases your risk of skin cancer. Remember, you can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light even on cloudy and cool days. Layer up on your protection to be sun safe.
Swimming, and other water-based activities, are a great way to be active while staying cool. Everyone should take steps to prevent illness and injury every time they are in and around the water.
Recreational water illnesses are caused by swallowing, breathing in mist, and having contact with contaminated water. Healthy swimming habits, like not swallowing water, can lower your chance of getting sick. It is also important to stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea, to rinse off before getting into pools, splash pads, and hot tubs, and to take young children on bathroom breaks and check diapers (away from the water) every hour.
Drowning often occurs quickly and silently. Follow these drowning prevention tips to keep you and your family safe while swimming:
It is also important to know what drowning looks like and how to prevent it.
When outdoor temperatures reach dangerous levels, staying in air-conditioned spaces is the best way to stay cool. If you don’t have air conditioning, or if a power outage limits your access, there are still steps you can take to keep yourself cool and reduce your risk of heat-related illness.
Seek medical care immediately if you or someone else has symptoms of heat-related illness like dizziness, confusion, nausea, or vomiting.
