RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter



03.05.25

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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Food Connects Us: National Nutrition Month

Food can be the basis for gatherings with family and friends, and can serve as a source of memories and traditions. As March is National Nutrition Month, we encourage you to tune into the food that nourishes your body, as well as your relationships.

How can I connect with food?

• Enjoy your meals with family or friends when possible. Spark conversation by asking questions to the person who prepared the food to learn about the tradition and culture behind the meal.
• Explore ideas for conversation starters categorized by age and theme.
• Incorporate your favorite cultural foods or try new global flavors in your meals this month. Browse this collection of recipes using the "cuisine" filter to look for recipes from your culture or a culture that is not your own. Experiment with different ingredients or cooking techniques.
• Your nutrition needs, much like your shoe and clothing sizes, change with age. Meet the nutritional needs of your age group by eating items from all food groups in various forms such as fresh, frozen, canned, and dried and looking for sales when purchasing food.
• Another way to connect with food is to explore where your food comes from. When visiting a local farmers market, ask vendors how their food is grown and what foods are in season.

Food Access Resources: The goal of Virginia WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is to improve the health of pregnant women, infants and children (under 5 years) through better nutrition and access to health care. Find out if you are eligible for WIC benefits with this prescreening tool. WIC clinics have nutritionists on staff who can answer questions from WIC clients about nutrition, meal planning, food buying, picky eating, and more!

Recipe Collections:

• Eat Smart, Move More Virginia is a source for affordable, nutritionist-vetted recipes. Spring Couscous Salad makes a delicious side dish for dinner, a picnic, or a healthy option at a party. Bump up the protein with some shredded rotisserie chicken or a can of cannellini beans or chickpeas.

• Heart Healthy Recipes find collections of affordable recipes and helpful healthy eating resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and the American Heart Association.

• Below: check out the "The Good Food is Good Medicine" video playlist created by nutritionists at the University of California Davis for recipe ideas for heart healthy meals, plus simple tips on ways to eat healthy and live a more nutritious life.

Respiratory Illness Update

VDH's respiratory illness surveillance tracks the number of emergency department visits for viral illnesses such as covid, flu, and RSV and other respiratory illnesses such as cough and pneumonia.

It is not too late to get vaccinated with updated doses- visit your pharmacy or call your local health department for an appointment!



• According to VDH, respiratory illness activity in Southwestern Virginia has dropped to moderate levels as of 3.1.25.

Feeling Sick?

As respiratory illnesses continue to circulate, use this chart to compare symptoms of common respiratory ailments.

To protect against the worst effects of illness, stay up-to-date with the latest immunizations, and:

• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Wash hands often
• Bring as much fresh air into your home as possible by opening doors and windows and/or using exhaust fans
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner
• When you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, stay home and away from others

Learn more from VDH Respiratory Guidance

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Do you have a septic system in Roanoke County or Botetourt County?

A cost-free septic tank pump-out program is available for eligible residents of Roanoke and Botetourt Counties.

Unmaintained septic systems can contribute to nutrient and bacteria pollution, impacting local streams and the broader watershed that flows to the Chesapeake Bay. Regular maintenance is crucial; septic systems should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years. Failure to maintain a system may also lead to costly issues for homeowners, such as backups into homes and yards.

This program aims to reduce environmental impacts and prevent property damage caused by failing systems, ensuring a healthier community for all. Priority is given to low-income households in need.

Learn more about this program and how to apply, sponsored by the Roanoke Alleghany Regional Commission: RVARC | Septic Pump Outs

Funding for septic pump-outs is provided by the Virginia Environmental Endowment and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

The RCAHD Early Intervention (EI) program provides a family-centered early intervention system for infants and toddlers from birth through age 3 who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. The Infant and Toddler Connection of the Roanoke Valley provides early intervention support and services to residents in the counties of Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke, and Roanoke City and Salem. (Other providers offer services in the Alleghany Highlands.)

The focus of EI is to provide supports and services for babies and their families so that their child can learn during everyday activities and routines.

QUIZ!

One example of a developmental milestone is when children start trying to use things in the right way, such as phones, cups or books. What age is typical for this #DevelopmentalMilestone?

a. 7 months

b. 1 year

c. 15 months

d. 20 months

>> Scroll down to see if you got it right!

Developmental delays can occur in the following areas: cognitive, language, motor, self-help, social emotional, hearing, or vision. An average of 350 local Early Intervention cases are opened each month. In 2024, a total of more than 800 total client encounters were provided to EI clients, with a 25% increase in occupational therapy services.

Update: Alleghany Highlands Carbon Monoxide Situation

3.5.25 Action Update: An ongoing wider investigation of elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels by the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) is evolving. The original carbon monoxide exposure investigation at Covington Middle School was closed on 2.1.25.

As of 3.4.25, RCAHD has received approximately 150 reports relating to marginally elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels in the Covington/ Alleghany area since the initial Covington Middle School event on 1.31.25.

The Virginia Department of Health continues to work with local healthcare providers, including laboratory managers, Blue Ridge Poison Control (BRPC), the state toxicologist, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and others to systematically investigate possible factors related to the recent cluster of reports. 

The investigation is likely to take several weeks.

Ongoing activities include: 

• A preliminary investigation pertaining to lab quality assurance.
• Individual case investigations to determine other potential sources for carbon monoxide in the community. Patient privacy will continue to be protected. 
• Regular discussions with BRPC, DEQ and others to better understand this evolving situation.  
• Working with community partners to encourage residents to survey their personal living space to eliminate any sources of carbon monoxide and install carbon monoxide detectors in their residences. 

Individuals with slightly elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels do not need additional treatment unless their healthcare provider advises otherwise. Residents who have specific concerns should consult their healthcare providers for tailored treatment recommendations.

Full statement and FAQs on the RCAHD website

We're Hiring!

Do you have a passion to help improve our local communities by helping residents improve their overall health and well-being?

Visit the RCAHD Employment Page to see a list of our current openings and how to apply. Recent positions include:

Nutritionist Supervisor Senior - Open until March 10

Are you a hardworking individual motivated to help improve the community’s health by supporting the nutritional needs of mothers and young children? If this is you, we invite you to apply for the role of Nutritionist Supervisor Senior.

Developmental Milestone QUIZ

The correct answer is C!

By age 15 months most children will try using things the right way, like phones, cups or books, which is one example of a #DevelopmentalMilestone. They also may be using a few words besides "mama" and "dada," and stack objects such as blocks.

Learn more about child development milestones for children from birth to age 5 here: cdc.gov/Milestones

Spring Forward and Check Your Alarms!

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9- set your clocks forward one hour!

This is also a great time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

Take a few minutes to:

• Test all smoke and CO alarms in your home.
• Replace batteries if needed.
• Make certain alarms are less than 10 years old. If they are older, replace them.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 10-14

Coordinated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, the statewide tornado drill will be on Tuesday, March 11 at 9:45 a.m. Every school, business, workplace, and family across the commonwealth is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill. This is an opportunity to practice your tornado emergency plan.

Learn more and register your household or your organization to help organizers track how many people are participating in tornado drill activities.