RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter



04.30.25

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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Fight the Bite!



After seeing several years of increases in Lyme disease cases, how did 2024 shape up for RCAHD?

As temperatures have warmed up, we are seeing that the "biting" season for ticks is already underway!

Until last year, we had seen increasing reports of Lyme disease cases for several years. In 2023, the number of locally reported RCAHD Lyme disease cases (91 cases) increased more than 50% over 2022 (58 cases).*

We are cautiously optimistic, however, that the drop in local cases of Lyme disease reported in 2024 (34 cases) will continue as people continue to take steps to prevent tick-borne illnesses.

In recent years, we have also seen increases in acquired red meat allergies, sometimes referred to as "alpha-gal syndrome," also caused by ticks. In addition to Lyme disease and alpha-gal, RCAHD routinely receives reports of other tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.  

*The Lyme disease case definition changed in 2022, resulting in a reclassification of cases that may not have been previously counted.

Before going outside:

• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent
• Treat clothes and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin
• Stick to the path and avoid brushy areas
• Prevent ticks on pets

The most important protection strategies are those that prevent you from being bitten in the first place. The best protection is to use an insect repellant that protects against both ticks and mosquitoes, such as those with a concentration of 20-50% DEET. Follow the product label directions for safe use on your skin and clothes. Although natural substances such as eucalyptus or lemon oil have repellant qualities, they may not be as effective as DEET. 

Pre-treat your shoes and clothes with permethrin spray to provide a long-lasting repellant barrier. Also, tuck your pants into your socks when you are outdoors, and remember to protect your pets: medicated collars, and oral or topical products formulated for pets can be very effective. 

After outdoor activity, inspect yourself and your children, clothing, and gear for ticks. The running water of a shower can also wash away ticks before they attach. 

More from VDH: Tick-Borne Diseases

Although more than 15 different types of ticks have been found in Virginia, the ticks of particular concern are:

• the black-legged tick, which transmits Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and more.
• the Lonestar tick, found in suburban areas at lower elevations such as ours, which transmits ehrlichiosis and Alpha-gal syndrome.
• the American dog tick, which can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Mark Your Calendar:

Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Nutrition Insights and Tasty Solutions

May 10, 12pm at the Buchanan Library

Discover more about alpha-gal syndrome and learn how to meet your nutritional needs. This informative session at the Buchanan Library, led by Aimee Valenzuela, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, MPH, will empower you with practical tips and tools to manage your diet!

How to Remove a Tick:

1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible using clean fine-tipped tweezers. If fine-tipped tweezers are not available, use regular tweezers or your fingers to grasp the tick. Grasp the tick close to the skin's surface to avoid squeezing the tick's body.
2. Pull tick away from the skin with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick. This can cause the tick mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, your body will naturally push the mouthparts out over time as your skin heals. You can also remove the mouthparts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouthparts easily with tweezers, leave them alone.
3. Save the tick. Should symptoms from tick-borne illness emerge, knowing what type of tick bit you can help your healthcare provider with a diagnosis.

Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try and make the tick detach from the skin. This may agitate the tick and force infected fluid from the tick into the skin.

Warm weather also means mosquitos are active...



While we have over 60 different types of mosquitos in Virginia, the Asian Tiger mosquito is one of the most common. West Nile virus is the leading cause of locally-acquired, mosquito-borne infection in Virginia. 

• Reduce the places where mosquitos can breed and find a home near you.
• Tip and toss any standing water in your yard. 

More from VDH: FAQs about Mosquitos

RCAHD Health Situation Update - By The Numbers (as of 04.29.25)

Respiratory Illness Data

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.

• Respiratory activity is minimal and continues to decline.

Roanoke College has been REVIVE'd!



More than 50 students and faculty recently received free overdose awareness training, including instructions on the easy use of naloxone to reverse an overdose. The April 10 REVIVE! training at Roanoke College, part of an event in observance of National Public Health Week, was led by RCAHD Overdose Prevention Coordinator Wayne King.

Interested in getting your group trained in the latest in opioid awareness? Contact Nicole Davidson-Wert to find out how to arrange a FREE presentation to your community group or organization.

Public Health in the News

Virginia has recently announced its first measles case in 2025. The patient is a child (0-4 years) in northwestern Virginia who recently traveled internationally. Over 875 cases have now been reported in 30 states (CDC). With the exception of an outbreak in 2019, the number of this year's measles cases is larger than any year since 1992.

Most people are very well protected from the disease by the two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine they received in childhood. People six through eleven months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Some people born between 1957-1989 may want to discuss whether a booster dose may be needed. If you’re unsure whether you’re immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. To check your immunization status, ask your healthcare provider or request records from the VDH Immunization Record Request Form.   

Family Nutrition: A Twist on a Spring Classic

Virginia's Family Nutrition Program Eat Smart Move More Virginia has improved nutrition goals and healthy, low-cost recipes reviewed by nutrition educators.

With just 5 ingredients, check out this recipe for a new twist on a classic spring vegetable:

Sauteed Asparagus with Lime and Tahini

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Strokes happen when something blocks blood flow to the brain or a blood vessel in the brain bursts—it's sometimes called a “brain attack” for this reason. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in Virginia (behind cancer, heart disease, and accidents).  

People experiencing a stroke need quick, professional medical care. The most important step you can take to help is calling 911 as soon as you spot the symptoms of a stroke. VDH has a helpful phrase for remembering these signs and symptoms: BE FAST.

Below:

Learn how the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institute of Health has been a cornerstone of neuroscience research since 1950. Most NINDS-funded research happens at universities, medical schools, hospitals, and other institutions. NINDS scientists also lead groundbreaking neurological research, from studying the structure and function of individual brain cells to testing new diagnostic tools and treatments for people living with neurological disorders, such as following a stroke.

(NIH, 1.5min)

May 11 - Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the moms and mother figures in our lives: For all you do to support others, we hope you have the support you need.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Learn how to support children of all ages and stages. Face-to-face conversations can foster mental health development, enhance communication skills, and build confidence. Talk to your children and teens about mental health.

Need help getting the conversation started? Visit SAMHSA for help.