It’s smart to get ready for hurricane and flash flooding season, which arrives June 1st. And it’s smart to save money.  You can do both by shopping for such products as batteries, food storage containers, generators, first aid kits, bottled water, radios and more between May 25 and 31. When you do, you won’t pay sales tax on many useful products that cost up to $60 or on generators costing $1,000 or less.

Beginning October 1, 2013, millions of uninsured Americans will be able to find health insurance that meets their needs and fits the way they live, at the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace will give Americans who are uninsured or who buy their own coverage a whole new way to shop for insurance. Click here for more information.

On Tuesday, April 23, the Alexandria Health Department conducted a tabletop exercise with Goodwin House Alexandria, a large two-building facility housing nearly 400 residents, including a mix of skilled nursing care, as well as assisted and independent living. This was the second exercise of its kind in Northern Virginia (the first one was also conducted by AHD in 2011), bringing together all partners that might be involved if an emergency requires a high-rise nursing home facility to evacuate patients.

Did you know that nearly 3 in 10 girls in the U.S. get pregnant at least once before age 20? Help recognize May 2013 as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (National kick-off is May 1). All across the nation, health departments and other organizations will be joining efforts to send one simple message: Sex has consequences.

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors, and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country.

Manufacturers of purified protein derivative (PPD) used in the tuberculin skin test (TST) are experiencing delays in production, resulting in a nationwide shortage. Click here to see information about Alexandria Health Department (AHD) tuberculosis (TB) control activities.

The fourth annual County Health Rankings were released by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on March 20, 2013. Please click here to view the results.

The Alexandria Health Department and Sheriff's Office recently took part in a joint exercise to dispense medicine to first responders in the event of a bioterrorism attack. The Health Department has been working closely with the Sheriff’s Office and other public safety agencies to develop plans that ensure public safety personnel receive proper medication in case of a biological attack so they are able to continue working.

Many people think pertussis (or “whooping cough”) no longer exists. Actually, it remains a poorly controlled illness.  How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from this very contagious illness?  The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated with the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine.

Immunizations apply to all of us — from infants to seniors. Vaccines protect you from serious diseases and keep our community healthy. Protect yourself and our community- be wise, immunize! Click here to view the current recommended immunization schedules and other useful resources.

 As flu activity continues to increase locally and across the U.S., take time to learn about a few simple steps that you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community! (please click here for Spanish version)

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It is endemic in the Northern Virginia area, and is most commonly found in wild animal populations such as raccoons, foxes, bats and skunks. The best way to prevent the spread of rabies is to keep pets properly vaccinated and to report any animal (domestic or wild) acting strangely or erratically to Animal Control at 703.746.4774. Visit http://alexandriava.gov/Rabies for more information.

The Alexandria Health Department Brochure of Services, in both English and Spanish (please click on either to view and print) is available. The brochures provide a wide overview of our services, including program descriptions, locations, and phone numbers and hours of operation.

The Alexandria Health Department is closed to the public on Thursday mornings, 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., for internal administrative functions and staff development.  The other days of the week, the Health Department will be open during its usual business hours.  For further information, call 703.746.4996.  Thank you.

To receive information about Department programs, special events, clinics, community meetings, and more.  Update your subscription or subscribe to eNews by visiting http://alexandriava.gov/eNews.