Friday, June 5WATCHFUL EYE

Tag: Virginia health

Free Narcan Pop-Ups Coming to Northern Shenandoah Valley
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Free Narcan Pop-Ups Coming to Northern Shenandoah Valley

In response to a spike in overdose cases, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Use Coalition will hold a series of pop‑ups to distribute free Narcan throughout the region. The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force is warning the public about what it describes as a recent spike in opioid‑related overdoses. In 2025, there were three fatal overdoses and 25 non‑fatal overdoses. Since February 2026, there have already been three fatal incidents—one in Winchester and two in Frederick County—and three non‑fatal incidents, Virginia State Police announced. Fentanyl is believed to be the cause. The Narcan pop‑up events are an effort to increase community access to life‑saving resources, according to a statement from Matthew Demlein, public relations coordinator for VSP...
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Measles Outbreak Declared in Virginia
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Measles Outbreak Declared in Virginia

Health officials have declared a measles outbreak in Buckingham County as the number of confirmed cases in Central Virginia continues to grow. The Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday that 12 outbreak-associated cases have now been identified in Buckingham County. Officials said none of the infected individuals recently traveled, indicating the virus is spreading locally within the community. Charge All Your Devices at Once: 5-in-1 Fast Charging Station w/ Wireless Charging Health authorities warned the actual number of infections could be higher than currently reported as additional cases are investigated. VDH is urging residents to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a spreading rash. Measles is ...
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Upcoming facility promising new behavioral health resources for Williamsburg area
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Upcoming facility promising new behavioral health resources for Williamsburg area

Yesterday, Colonial Behavioral Health (CBH), in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, broke ground on the Center for Support & Wellness—a $12.5 million facility promised to transform crisis care across the Greater Williamsburg region. Funded entirely through Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Right Help, Right Now initiative, the center is supposed to offer urgent, compassionate behavioral health services to individuals in crisis. Yogi Stress Relief & Relaxation Tea Sampler The facility will serve Williamsburg, James City County, York County, and Poquoson, providing care for up to 24 individuals at a time. It will house: A Crisis Receiving Center for 24/7 stabilization, A Crisis Stabilization Center offering short-term residential care, A Crisis Intervention T...
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Northern VA measles investigation underway on heels of 3rd confirmed case
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Northern VA measles investigation underway on heels of 3rd confirmed case

Less than two weeks after confirming the third measles case of 2025, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a new potential exposure linked to an international traveler who passed through Washington Dulles International Airport and the Washington Area Metro on Sunday, June 8. ALŌH Sweet Orange Bergamot + Aloe Sanitizing Hand Wipes | Travel Size Health officials are working swiftly to identify individuals who may have come into contact with the virus. Investigators are contacting passengers from specific flights and advising those present at key locations during the identified windows to monitor their health and review their vaccination history. Potential exposure sites include: Dulles International Airport (IAD): Concourse A, transport to the International Ar...
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Beaches from DE to VA close as medical waste washes ashore
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Beaches from DE to VA close as medical waste washes ashore

Authorities have closed access to waters at beaches from Delaware to Virginia’s Eastern Shore due to debris with medical waste washing ashore. Sunday brought a series of beach closures rolling down the East Coast. The Town of Fenwick Island in Delaware announced swimming closures following reports of medical waste washing ashore from Indian River Inlet to Fenwick Island. The Town said it was sending out an emergency response team. Closures continued through the early days of this week as debris, “including syringes,” reportedly continued washing ashore. Also on Sunday, Assateague Island National Shoreline announced “immediate closures” for swimming and wading closures at all beaches in the Maryland district “due to medical waste on the beach.” Visitors were still allowed to go ...
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VDH ends Lake Anna STEC outbreak investigation, reminds public of swimming advisory
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VDH ends Lake Anna STEC outbreak investigation, reminds public of swimming advisory

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced it has ended its investigation into the Memorial Day STEC outbreak without conclusively linking the illnesses to Lake Anna. As previously reported, there were 25 Shinga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases that appeared linked to visits to Lake Anna around Memorial Day weekend. Five of those cases resulted in children being hospitalized, and the incidents prompted VDH to launch an investigation that included numerous rounds of water testing from various areas around the lake. In its June 20th update, VDH said the lake water “the likely source” of the infections. However, yesterday, July 2nd, VDH said the most recent testing of water samples collected from Lake Anna did not detect the presence of STEC. VDH said fecal bacter...
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DEA report: Xylazine in Virginia & other ‘dangerous’ shifts in drug trends
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DEA report: Xylazine in Virginia & other ‘dangerous’ shifts in drug trends

The drug game is changing. Products are becoming more potent. Users often aren’t getting what they think they’re getting. And the fatal consequences are mounting, according to the 2024 drug threat assessment from the DEA. The report “highlights the dangerous shift from plant-based drugs to synthetic drugs” like fentanyl and methamphetamine, which are responsible for nearly all of the fatal drug overdoses and poisonings in the U.S. Drug suppliers Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have control over each segment of the drug trade and have effectively eliminated any competition in US markets, the DEA report states. It adds that cartel members have established a presence in every state. Virginia is one of the states where the cartel footprint is growing. (Photo: DEA) Fenta...
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Authorities warning deadly overdoses rising in northwest VA
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Authorities warning deadly overdoses rising in northwest VA

The Northwest Regional Drug & Gang Task Force is sounding the alarm on a spike of overdoses and overdose deaths in the northwestern corner of Virginia in recent weeks. And, it appears fentanyl is the suspected culprit. “The past few weeks have made the threat we face from fentanyl apparent,” said Chief Kahle Magalis with the Front Royal Police Department. “We want to caution the public and make them aware of exactly how lethal fentanyl can be." According to the Task Force, between Feb. 10 and Feb. 24, there have been 11 overdoses with five leading to death. That compares to only one death and five total overdoses from the beginning of the year until Feb. 10. Meanwhile, as overdoses and drug fatalities are rising, the Task Force is reportedly catching a lot more fentanyl in its...
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