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RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter
07.10.24
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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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Maximizing summer fun!
Tips to help safely enjoy classic summer activities
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Foodborne Illness Update
Summertime can offer a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and family over food. However warmer weather can also create conditions for harmful bacteria in food to thrive. In 2024 we have already seen an uptick in foodborne illnesses reported to RCAHD, above the typical number of cases that we see by this point in the year. So far, we have received reports of 21 cases of campylobacter and 17 cases of salmonella, as of June 30.
While some local cases of foodborne illness are occasionally linked to specific CDC-confirmed clusters of contamination (for example, a recent outbreak of salmonella related to contaminated cucumbers), warmer summer months can yield an increase in cases of food poisoning due to warmer temperatures that allow foodborne germs to thrive. Following guidelines at home to Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill can help to prevent foodborne illness:
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm or cold water before, during, and after preparing food and before eating.
- Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.
- Keep cold food refrigerated to slow bacterial growth. Cook food thoroughly and keep hot food hot.
- Use one cutting board or plate for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and use a separate cutting board for produce, bread, and other foods that won’t be cooked.
- Raw poultry is ready to cook and does not need to be washed first. Washing poultry can spread illness-causing germs to other foods, the sink, and the counter.
- More from USDA: Grilling, Refrigeration and Food Preparation Tips
QUIZ- Test Your Knowledge!
- Chicken and other poultry should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least:
A. 125oF
B. 140oF
C. 165oF
D. 185oF
2.Does freezing food kill harmful bacteria in food?
A. Yes
B. No
Keep scrolling to see if you got them right!
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Water Safety
Swimming and other water-based activities are fun and healthy ways to be physically active. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years old. It can happen in seconds and is often silent. Assign an adult to closely supervise children around water.
As part of our routine public service for the community, RCAHD environmental health specialists provide annual inspections of local public pools. Keep these tips in mind to minimize the risk of illness when swimming:
- Chlorine kills most germs within minutes, but not instantly.
- Swim diapers don’t stop germs, poop, or urine from getting in the water.
- Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea.
- If your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems, check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, or rivers, especially after heavy rains.
- More from VDH: Swim Healthy Virginia
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Skin Protection
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and worldwide. Despite our Southwestern Virginia mountain setting, skin cancer rates in parts of our area are higher than the state average. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas, for example, are caused by UV radiation from sun or indoor tanning exposure. The good news is that many types of skin cancer are highly preventable:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher every two hours.
- Wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses and avoid tanning beds.
- Seek shade during peak hours (usually 10:00am - 4:00pm).
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
If you see something new, changing, or unusual, get checked by a dermatologist right away. This includes:
- A growth that increases in size and appears pearly, transparent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored.
- A mole or birthmark that increases in size, thickness, changes color or texture, or is bigger than a pencil eraser.
- A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, or does not heal within three weeks.
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Local Office on Aging Cooling Assistance Program | | |
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For individuals aged 60 or older: the Local Office on Aging (LOA) may be able to help you beat the heat! Seniors may qualify for the LOA's Cooling Assistance program that offers free air conditioning units if the following details apply:
- individuals ages 60+ who own their own home without working air conditioning
- household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level (for example, a household of 2 individuals making less than $30,660 per year may qualify)
LOA also has box fans available for seniors who qualify. For more information or to apply for the Cooling Assistance program, please contact Delaine Caldwell at LOA: dcaldwell@loaa.org or (540) 345-0451.
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Be "Bug" Vigilant
Mosquitos- With diseases like malaria and West Nile spreading beyond endemic areas, extra caution is warranted. Use an insect repellent, empty any standing water, wear long sleeves and pants if possible, and consider using outdoor fans to circulate air and keep pests away. VDH Mosquito FAQs
Ticks- When outdoors, use an insect repellant containing DEET. Treat clothes and outdoor gear with permethrin. Most Virginia ticks live in the forest leaf litter and shady, grassy areas. Ticks do not climb high on vegetation or fly, so they must hitch a ride by climbing up your shoes or socks. Tucking pants legs into socks will help prevent ticks from climbing up your leg under your pants, and help you spot ticks before they can reach your skin. VDH Tick-borne Illnesses
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Air Quality Index
Have you checked your air quality today? Knowing the air quality in your community can help you better plan your daily activities.
Visit AirNow.gov to learn the current air quality by zip code, updated throughout the day.
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Come Work With Us!
Help improve your community's well-being! We are looking for dedicated individuals to help protect and promote our community's health. Join the RCAHD public health team:
Visit RCAHD Employment Opportunities for the latest employment updates.
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Family Nutrition: Enjoying the Garden Bounty
Virginia's Family Nutrition Program Eat Smart Move More Virginia has goals for improved nutrition and easy, low-cost recipes reviewed by nutrition educators.
Check out their list of suggestions for enjoying the bounty of summer vegetables from gardens and farmers markets this time of year, including this 3-step recipe with 5 minutes of prep:
Italian Mixed Vegetables
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Food Preparation QUIZ
1.The correct answer is C-
Chicken and other poultry should always be cooked to at least 165oF to ensure that any bacteria that can cause illness have been destroyed. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature.
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2. The correct answer is B-
Freezing food does not kill all illness-causing bacteria. Some harmful bacteria will become inactive when frozen, but once thawed can become dangerous. For this reason, it is safer to thaw and marinate food in the refrigerator than at room temperature. It is also recommended to completely thaw food before cooking to allow food to cook more evenly.
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