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Welcome to the
Roanoke City & Alleghany
Health Districts
Newsletter
08.31.22
Health updates for residents of the
Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)
The end of summer means the end of ticks and mosquitoes, right?

Not so fast!

Mosquito and tick season continues into the fall. Late summer and early autumn are typically the time of year when we see the peak number of insect-borne diseases.

The most common insects that spread disease are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. For example, mosquitoes are known for spreading the Zika and West Nile viruses as well as malaria (a parasitic disease). Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.

So far this year, we have seen a slight increase over last year’s numbers of tick-borne diseases in the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD). In addition, in mid-August, RCAHD received a report of a case of West Nile virus.

We have learned that prevention is crucial to reduce insect-borne diseases. In many cases, simple precautions can significantly reduce, if not entirely prevent, the risk of transmission.


August 31
International Overdose Awareness Day
REVIVE! Lay Rescuer trainings are offered for community members or groups to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of naloxone. The training covers opioids, how opioid overdoses happen, risk factors for opioid overdoses, and how to respond to an overdose emergency. Contact us to schedule a training for your community group, church group, or other group of interested people.

Naloxone dispensing is offered by appointment at all RCAHD health department offices. Naloxone is available by walk-in on Fridays at the Roanoke City Health Department office. It is available to individuals who receive on-site counseling or who have completed REVIVE! training. The next in-person REVIVE! training at the Roanoke Health Department is Sept 8 at 5:30pm. Click here for more information.
Watch Noah's Story (30 sec) about losing his father at age 58 (CDC)
"It only takes a little to lose a lot..."
The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts are committed to supporting community health through the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
Apply Now!
RCAHD Tuberculosis Health Promoter

We are currently looking for a qualified, capable, flexible and motivated person for the position of Tuberculosis (TB) Health Promoter.

The TB Health Promoter will work part-time (10-15hr/ week) to connect with community members, develop education materials, and promote TB health information. Applications will be accepted through 9/9/22.
RCAHD COVID-19 Situation Update
08/30/22
COVID-19 cases remain at an elevated level, and we continue to see hospitalizations and deaths associated with the transmission of COVID-19 in our RCAHD communities. We encourage everyone to get up-to-date with their boosters. Find a dose at your local health department office or pharmacy.

RCAHD has also received increased reports of both insect-borne diseases and STIs so far this year. RCAHD will continue surveillance and prevention efforts, and residents should take increased measures to protect themselves and limit exposure to both types of infections.
Vinton Library
12 - 2pm
Sept 6 & 20
Oct 4 & 18


Salem Farmers Market
10am - 12pm
Sept 15 & 29
Oct 13 & 27
DASH, our mobile health RV, will be visiting Vinton and Salem to provide free COVID-19 and Hepatitis A vaccines this fall. Come see us!

Walk-ups are welcome.

Protect yourself, your family and your community. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19 and Hepatitis A. Booster doses available as well!
Last Call! Order FREE At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
Offer Ends Sept. 2
Have you ordered your household's FREE COVID-19 test kits? 

VDH recommends that anyone who has not ordered the maximum 16 COVID-19 at-home test kits per household, consider ordering tests before the program ends on Friday, September 2.


Moving forward, Medicare will continue to reimburse members for test kit purchase, as well as some health insurance companies. A select number of libraries offer free test kits. Test kits can also be purchased at pharmacies and other retail stores.

Locally the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts have channeled our limited number of VDH-supplied test kits to reach priority populations: people in low-income households, people who are uninsured/ underinsured, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those who have limited access to care, such as people who live in rural areas.

We encourage individuals to stay at home if they are feeling sick, especially if they do not have immediate access to a COVID-19 test.