Health Advisory
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HEALTH ADVISORY #162 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections Among People Who Inject Drugs — Additional Area Seeing Increase, Others Vulnerable
HIV has long been present across West Virginia, although at low levels. With the state’s opioid and now broader substance use epidemic, West Virginia has been increasingly vulnerable to HIV outbreak(s) among persons who inject drugs (PWID). The sharing of injection drug equipment as well as high-ris
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Vaping and e-cigarette information for parents
What’s the bottom line on the risks of e-cigarettes for kids, teens and young adults? • The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. • Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to
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HEALTH ALERT #161 Severe Pulmonary Illness Associated with Vaping
Summary and Action Items All patients with severe pulmonary illness of unknown etiology should be asked about recent vaping practices. When treating patients with severe pulmonary symptoms who report a history of vaping, consider consultation with a pulmonologist and rule out common infectious and n
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HEALTH ADVISORY #160 24th World Scout Jamboree
This Health Advisory serves as a reminder to all healthcare providers and laboratorians to report outbreaks, communicable diseases, and unusual conditions or emerging infectious diseases during the 24th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) as required by the West Virginia Legislative Rule for Reportable Disea
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HEALTH ADVISORY #159 Vector-borne Disease Season
With the spring season comes an increase in mosquito and tick activity in West Virginia. Vector-borne diseases occur annually beginning in early spring and peaking in August and September when people and arthropod vectors are most active outdoors. Health providers can educate patients on preventive
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HEALTH ADVISORY #158 Recommendations for Routine HIV Testing and Available Resources for Healthcare Providers
The Bureau for Public Health, in collaboration with local and federal partners, is responding to an increase in newly diagnosed cases of HIV among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in West Virginia. Public health partnerships, expanded HIV testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care, harm reduction s
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HEALTH ADVISORY #157 Measles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified an increased number of measles cases and outbreaks in the United States since January 1, 2019. The last case of measles reported in West Virginia was in 2009 following international travel. Clinicians are encouraged to continue vigi
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Health Advisory
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health is investigating an increase in newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the state among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Historically, male-to-male sexual contact has been the predominant reported risk factor for becoming infected with H
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Health Alert #156: Acute Flaccid Myelitis
April 2019: West Virginia confirmed a case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), its first since 2016, and asked doctors to report suspected cases at once.
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Health Advisory #155: Increase in New HIV Infections Among Persons Who Inject Drugs
March 22, 2019: a West Virginia health advisory reported a rise in new HIV cases among people who inject drugs, centered in Cabell County.