RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter



02.12.25

Health updates for residents of the

Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)

Alleghany, Botetourt, Covington, Craig, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem

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Public Health in the News: Carbon Monoxide

Two recent events in Roanoke and Covington serve as reminders of the importance of carbon monoxide awareness. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, etc are burned. Possible sources of carbon monoxide include heating systems, stoves, portable generators, fireplaces, furnaces, automobile exhaust, and gasoline engines.

Carboxyhemoglobin results when someone is exposed to carbon monoxide, and the carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin in their blood.

Read all the FAQs on the RCAHD website

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips 3min (General public safety message, courtesy Spokane Fire Dept)

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Depending on the levels of carbon monoxide a person is exposed to, different symptoms may occur. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include, but are not limited to, headache, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Diagnosing carbon monoxide poisoning from symptoms alone can be difficult because many symptoms are similar to other illnesses such as viral infections.

Blood levels begin to improve as soon as the person leaves the area with carbon monoxide. This typically takes several hours, so people who are exposed should return to levels within normal limits within one day.

What levels of carboxyhemoglobin are considered dangerous?

• Carboxyhemoglobin levels are normally less than 1.5% in people’s blood, although levels can be higher in people who smoke.

• The definition of a laboratory confirmed case of carbon monoxide poisoning is “a person who does not smoke, or a child (under age 14) whose smoking status is unknown, and [who] has a carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of greater than 5.0% as measured in a blood sample.” (CDC)

• Carboxyhemoglobin levels begin to decrease as soon as the exposure is eliminated. This decrease typically takes several hours, so people exposed to carbon monoxide should return to levels within normal limits within one day.

How can I reduce exposure to carbon monoxide in my home and car?

• Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors. If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately get to fresh air.

• Never use portable generators inside the home. Portable generators should be run only when at least 20 feet from the house.

• Schedule annual maintenance of heating systems and fuel-burning appliances to ensure proper ventilation.

• Install and use an exhaust fan over gas stoves. The fan must exhaust to the outside of the building.

• Never use your gas oven to heat your home.

• Never burn fuels indoors except in stoves or furnaces that are designed for indoor use.

• Do not let your car idle in the garage.

• Do not set up a grill inside your garage, even if the garage door is up.

• Check the exhaust system of your car each year.

• Consult an expert if you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator.

Show Yourself Some Love: TLC Tips For Your Ticker

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, as well as in Virginia.

February is American Heart Month, a time to take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease. Major risk factors for heart disease include:

• High blood pressure or high blood cholesterol
• Prediabetes or diabetes
• A family history of early heart disease, for example if your father was diagnosed before age 55, or your mother was diagnosed before age 65
• Smoking
• A history of preeclampsia, when blood pressure rises suddenly during pregnancy
• Age (ages 55+ for women, and 45+ for men)
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Unhealthy eating behaviors

Other tips to help reduce your risk of developing heart disease

Having a healthy lifestyle is the best way lower your chances for serious heart disease.

Take steps today to improve your health- including quitting smoking, choosing heart-healthy foods, being physically active, getting enough good-quality sleep, aiming for a healthy weight, getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and managing your blood sugar. Regularly monitoring your blood pressure, with support from your health care provider, can help lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. You can check your blood pressure at the doctor’s office, at a pharmacy, or with a portable cuff at home. Learn more about the correct way to monitor your blood pressure (CDC).

Below: How do men's and women's symptoms differ during a heart attack? (2min, American Heart Association)

Listen to your Heart

Do you know your numbers? We can help!

High blood pressure affects millions of us. Check it every day, talk to your doctor and follow your beat. Monitoring is power!

Join this FREE program for personalized support as you get to know your numbers. If you are over 18 and want a FREE blood pressure monitor to use at home, heart healthy diet and lifestyle workshops, personalized coaching and more, you can qualify if you:

• Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are taking medication for high blood pressure

• Have not had a heart attack or cardiac event in the last 12 months

• Do not have atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, or lymphedema

To learn more, visit the Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative to learn how to participate in your area, or contact Northwest Roanoke's Heart Health Ambassador, Marquita Johnson at: 540-632-9815.

Public Health in the News: Avian Flu



Until recently, Virginia has been mostly spared from the worst impacts of bird flu (avian flu, H5N1). But since January, wild birds, several birds at the Richmond Zoo, and a commercial flock in Accomack County have all tested positive for H5N1. Appropriate steps were taken to minimize human contact and to prevent the infected commercial flock from entering the food supply.

We have had no identified human cases in Virginia, but winter virus activity is extremely high at this time, especially the flu, which increases the opportunity for increased transmission. Commonwealth agencies are taking more steps to respond to this evolving situation. For example, more samples from hospitalized people will be tested for H5 typing once seasonal flu strains are ruled out as the cause for their hospitalization. VDH advised clinicians to consider avian flu in patients with acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis who have a relevant exposure history. These steps are designed to help us identify any severe H5N1 cases more quickly.

The risk of avian flu to the general public remains low, however, people with job-related or recreational exposures to birds are at increased risk and should take precautions to protect themselves. Here are some general precautions we can all take:

• Stay away from sick or dead birds or livestock. Avoid contact with surfaces that have bird feces.
• Do not drink unpasteurized (raw) milk or eat raw milk products, like raw cheese.
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine, particularly if you are at increased risk for exposure to bird flu. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions. 
• If animals you own are sick, contact the State Veterinarian's Office- 804-692-0601 or vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.
• To report groups of sick or dead wild birds (excluding carcasses found along the road), contact the Department of Wildlife Resources- 855-571-9003 or wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov.
• If you or someone in your family had contact with sick or dead birds or livestock within 10 days before the onset of respiratory or conjunctivitis symptoms, explain your exposure history to your healthcare provider and be seen for testing. 

If you keep a backyard flock, here are steps to help keep disease away from your birds and your household:

• Wash hands well before and after handling and caring for your birds. If soap and water aren’t available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. 
• Wear dedicated shoes in areas where you house and care for your birds.  
• Avoid eating and drinking in areas where poultry live or roam. 
• Keep wild birds and rodents out of poultry houses and coops. 
• Monitor the health of your birds. Contact your veterinarian or local extension agent if you notice any signs of illness in your birds. 

Visit the VDH avian flu webpage, the CDC, or visit the Department of Wildlife Resources to learn more.

As of Feb. 8, respiratory illness activity across Virginia has reached high levels across the state. The CDC reports that flu activity nationwide has recently reached the highest activity observed in more than 10 years.

Visit the VDH Respiratory Disease website for tips, FAQs and the latest statewide data.

Respiratory virus season lasts through early spring. It's not too late to get protected - visit vaccines.gov or your local health department to schedule an updated dose.

Coats & Car Seats: What's Best for Kids?

Cold weather and warm coats are a good match- except when riding in a car seat. To get the best fit for a snug-fitting car seat harness, use a lightweight jacket and a light blanket instead of a bulky coat under a loose-fitting harness. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides guidance on finding the right car seat, installing your car seat correctly, and keeping your child safe in a car seat. Learn more about car seat safety recommendations: Car Seat & Booster Seat Safety, Ratings, Guidelines | NHTSA

Learn more about the RCAHD Car Safety Seat program which promotes proper safety seat use for children. Free child safety seats and booster seats are available for income-eligible children.

VDH offices will be closed for the

George Washington state holiday on

Monday, Feb 17