Health Department Alert:
In observance of March as National Nutrition Month, Health Department Nutritionists provide answers to questions they are frequently asked by people in our communities. We decided to share a few of those questions and answers here. 
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are made mostly from industrial ingredients, not whole foods. They go through many steps, including breaking foods into sugars, oils, proteins, and starches, and often chemically modifying them.
Manufacturers use industrial techniques and add colors, flavors, sweeteners and emulsifiers to enhance taste and appearance.
UPFs include sodas, packaged snacks, candies, mass‑produced bread, cookies, cereals, instant soups, nuggets, hot dogs and ready‑to‑eat meals.
A growing amount of research shows that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is linked to poorer diet quality and several negative health outcomes, including:
Today, these foods make up a large part of many people’s daily calorie intake, often replacing traditional, home-prepared meals.
According to 2026-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, one needs 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, adjusting as needed based on individual dietary requirements. If your body weight is 60 kg (132 lbs.), you will need between 72 to 96 grams of protein a day.
Studies suggest that extra protein is not used efficiently by the body and may impose a metabolic burden on the bones, kidneys and liver. Moreover, high-protein/high-meat diets may also be associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease due to intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol or even cancer.
Traditionally, protein-rich foods offer 21 to 27 grams of protein per 3-ounce portion.
To help you judge sizes, a 3-ounce portion is:
Remember, not only nuts and beans add to your daily protein intake, but also rice, oatmeal and veggies. For example, one cup of rice offers 4.5 grams of protein, and you can get 2 grams of protein from a medium potato. Another good protein source is legumes, which provide around 16 grams of protein per cup.
We all need fiber to keep our internal plumbing humming like a fine-tuned engine. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It offers several important health benefits:
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults eat 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. Try these tips to spread your fiber intake throughout your meals:
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.
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 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:
To 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 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.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health is reporting a confirmed case of measles in a resident of Northern Virginia. The patient is an adult who recently traveled internationally. 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.
Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:
To date in 2026, Virginia has eight 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 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.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Due to reports of sewage spills in the Potomac River and the anticipated timeline for repairs, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory for Virginia residents. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising Virginia residents to avoid recreational water activities in the Potomac River, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur.
The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage spill in the Potomac River that occurred on Jan. 19, and subsequent reports of a sewage discharge Feb. 7. The timeline for the repair is estimated to be four to six weeks. The advisory area extends for 72.5 miles from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County.
VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.
For updates on the repair status, visit DC Water. For updates on Virginia impacts and to find links to the Maryland and DC agencies responding to this incident, please visit the VDH Sewage Spill page.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:
For more information on recreational water safety, visit SwimHealthyVA.com.
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From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting a confirmed case of measles in a resident of the Northern Region. The patient is a pre-school age child (0-4 years). Additionally, VDH was notified of a confirmed case of measles that is a resident of another state and traveled through Ronald Regan Washington National airport on January 26. 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:
To date in 2026, Virginia has reported six 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 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.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health is reporting a confirmed case of measles in an adult resident of Northern Virginia. 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.
Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:
To date in 2026, Virginia has reported five 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 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.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport Saturday, January 24. The person is a resident of another state. 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, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
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:
Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.
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 four reported cases of measles. For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.
Do you know someone or an organization who deserves to be celebrated for their efforts in improving the health of the Fairfax community? The Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax seeks nominations for its 2026 Live Healthy Fairfax Award. This award recognizes individuals, businesses, agencies, and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and action to improve the health and well-being of the Fairfax community.
The Live Healthy Fairfax Award recognizes those who go “above and beyond” in three priority areas:
Nominees may include people who volunteer to lead health-related activities, businesses that help their employees and customers stay healthy, or organizations that address social determinants of health. The intention is to recognize efforts that improve community health in lasting and meaningful ways.
Live Healthy Fairfax Award Eligibility Criteria:
Nominations can be submitted by completing this online nomination form.
The application process to nominate a person or entity for a Live Healthy Fairfax Award is now open. The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, March 2. Award winners will be notified no later than Friday, May 1. Awards will be presented at the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax’s spring meeting.
For any questions about the awards or the nomination process, contact Gillian Kimura, Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax Program Coordinator, by email at Gillian.Kimura@fairfaxcounty.gov or phone 571-595-5096.
