Alexandria Health Department Reports First Positive Test For West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes for 2010
Residents Reminded to Eliminate Standing Water, Protect Themselves Against Mosquito Bites
Mosquito collections in the 4200 block of Eisenhower Avenue, the Cameron Knoll Community, and Angel Park in the City of Alexandria have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, marking the first reported activity of the virus in the City for the 2010 season.
The mosquitoes were collected by the Environmental Health Division on July 6 and confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. No human cases of West Nile Virus disease have been reported in the City of Alexandria this year. One human case was reported last year.
The Alexandria Health Department recommends the following tips to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas in your neighborhood and to reduce exposure to adult mosquitoes:
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding on Your Property:
- Empty birdbaths and other water-holding containers, such as trays under flowerpots, at least once a week.
- Properly dispose of used tires.
- Clean roof gutters and downspouts. Check corrugated black drainpipes for any water collection.
- Turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows, canoes, pails, trash can lids, children’s toys, and any other objects that can hold water, including items stored under decks and porches.
- Repair dripping outdoor water faucets.
- Drain water from tarps and grill covers.
Avoid Mosquito Bites:
- Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk in mosquito-infested areas like marshes and wetlands.
- Use insect repellants, such as DEET, Picardin, or Oil of Lemon eucalyptus, as per label directions.
- Wear loose, long and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
- Check window and door screens for holes and repair, if necessary, with a fine-mesh screen.
The Alexandria Health Department Environmental Health Division is also taking steps to reduce the risk of West Nile virus for City residents, including:
- Monitoring mosquito populations in the City by location, species and number
- Testing target species of mosquito for West Nile virus
- Larviciding storm drains
- Identifying areas of standing water and treating them with larvacide
- Providing information to the public about how they can eliminate mosquito breeding sites
- Providing information to the public about how to protect themselves from mosquito bites
For additional questions or concerns regarding mosquitoes or mosquito-borne illness, please contact Kristin Binkley, Environmental Health Division, at 703.746.4973, or visit alexandriava.gov/MosquitoControl.
Celebrate National HIV Testing Day and Take Control
> Watch a PSA about HIV Testing
> Usted puede ver un video de las pruebas del VIH
2010 marks the 16th Annual National HIV Testing Day. Each year on June 27th, millions of Americans at-risk for HIV are asked to Take the Test, Take Control.
The value and importance of National HIV Testing Day is to raise awareness of one of our nation's most deadly yet most preventable diseases and to bring into care early those who test HIV positive and do not know their status. This will help each person living with HIV infection to stem the spread of the disease and improve their own life expectancies and health outcomes.
Too many Americans find out that they are HIV positive very late in the disease process, when they are seriously ill and have a dangerously compromised immune system. Recovery is often difficult and not possible for others.
It is also very important for people with negative HIV test results to know their status, ask their partner(s) to do the same, and take those steps necessary to remain negative.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every person aged 13-64 get an HIV test. The Alexandria Health Department offers FREE and CONFIDENTIAL testing on:
Wednesday afternoons, 1:00-3:00pm,
Thursday mornings, 9:00-10:30am, and
Thursday evenings, 5:00-6:30pm
For more information on HIV testing, please call (703) 746-4839. Other testing site information is available at www.hivtest.org.
Our Phone Numbers Have Changed!
Effective Tuesday, June 15, 2010, all Alexandria Health Department phone numbers (King Street, Casey Clinic, and Adolescent Clinic) will be changing to new "746" numbers. Please be aware that old "3-digit" extensions you may have used to contact our staff will no longer work.
Please make note of those new phone numbers that you call often. If you still can't seem to find us, you can always call one of our main numbers:
- King Street -- (703) 746-4996
- Casey Clinic -- (703) 746-4886
- Adolescent Clininc -- (703) 746-4776
Thanks for being patient as we improve our system to help serve you better.
H1N1 Response Public Assessment
This survey was designed by the Alexandria Health Department to collect feedback on the City of Alexandria's response to H1N1 flu. We appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions, as it will help the City better respond to future public health emergencies and improve the health of Alexandrians. Thank you.
New Health Services Resource Guide
The Alexandria Health Department is pleased to offer this recently updated Health Services Resource Guide. The Guide, first developed in 2007 as part of the Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) as a collaborative effort of more than 20 local public and private providers, includes a complete listing of health care resources available to Alexandria residents, the services offered, and how to access them. We plan to update this Guide regularly to assist you in navigating our complex health care system.
9-5-2-1-0 for Health
Join the Campaign for Healthier Kids to learn about how to make a difference in the lives of children. The Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition is a group of residents and organizations joined together to promote better health for children of all ages. Click here for a 9-5-2-1-0 fact sheet.
To help spread the message and learn more about the program, please visit www.tippingthescales.net.
How Should I Dispose of My Drugs Safely?
Many people wonder how to properly dispose of their prescription drugs. Never flush your prescription drugs down a toilet or place in the sink. Just return your unused drugs to the pharmacy, or follow these simple instructions:
Keep the medicines in their original containers. This will help identify the contents if they are accidentally ingested.
Cross our your name and prescription number for safety.
For pills: add some salt water to start dissolving them.
For liquids: add something inedible, like cat litter, dirt or ash.
Seal the container and secure with duct tape or packing tape.
Put the container in the trash as close to pickup time as possible. Do NOT put in the recycling bin.
For further information, please consult the following publications:
Health Department Warns Parents About the Dangers of Diluting Infant Formula
A recent news report about an infant becoming ill from consuming diluted infant formula should serve as a warning to parents that doing so is unsafe and could pose considerable health risk to your baby.
The Virginia Department of Health and the Alexandria Health Department are reminding parents to follow the manufacturer's directions when preparing their baby's infant formula and NOT add extra water. Babies who drink diluted formula can suffer from "water intoxication," whereby the baby's blood sodium levels become diluted, which can lead to seizures and possible death. Drinking watered-down formula also prevents your baby from receiving all of the nutritional benefits they need for growth and development.
Parents are urged to contact the Alexandria Health Department's WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program to inquire about their Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. Please call (703) 838-4400 ext. 332, 216, or 202.
Are You Ready?
In today’s world, your health and safety, and that of your family and friends, can be affected by a wide range of potential health emergencies. Knowing what to do in advance can better protect us all. Click here to learn more.
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