Alexandria Health Department

Rise of tickborne illnesses prompts prevention campaign in Alexandria

Published April 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

Tick prevention sign at Dora Kelley Nature Park(via Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is raising concerns about the rise of tickborne illnesses as spring progresses.

The health department and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities are partnering for a tick bite prevention campaign this spring, when tick activity increases as temperatures warm. The city is placing 30 educational signs across parks and trails encouraging residents to do tick checks. There will also be educational sessions about tick prevention and giveaways of tick removal tools at the events and the Alexandria Health Department headquarters (4850 Mark Center Drive).

News

STIs dominate Alexandria Health Department disease investigations: report

By James Cullum

Published March 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

Alexandria continues to outpace the state average for sexually transmitted infections, according to a new report.

The Alexandria Health Department’s 2024 Disease Investigation Report recorded 1,900 separate disease investigations in 2024, a 5% decrease from 2023. The department found that vaccine-preventable diseases increased fivefold with 41 cases in 2024, compared to eight reported cases in 2023; and that sexually transmitted infections decreased 2%, although gonorrhea and HIV cases have increased by 9% and 24%, respectively.

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JUST IN: Full Potomac River advisory lifted by state health department

By Emily Leayman

Published March 17, 2026 at 5:00PM

Views by the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Virginia’s recreational water advisory has been lifted for the remaining part of the Potomac River affected by the Jan. 19 sewage spill, the state’s health department announced today (Tuesday).

The Virginia Department of Health’s advisory is no longer in effect in the Potomac River between the Capital Beltway/American Legion Bridge and Route 120/ Chain Bridge. The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, had been partially lifted on March 5 between Route 120 Chain Bridge to Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County. The change is effective immediately.

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Dead raccoon in Old Town tests positive for rabies, health department says

By Katie Taranto

Published March 10, 2026 at 9:30AM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

A dead raccoon found in Old Town last week has tested positive for rabies, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

The animal was recovered after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town last Tuesday. It’s not confirmed if the raccoon was responsible for one or both of the attacks, “but the location and aggressive behavior line up with how a rabid raccoon in that area might act,” AHD said in an announcement yesterday (Monday).

News

JUST IN: Va. health officials partially lift Potomac River recreational advisory

By Katie Taranto

Published March 5, 2026 at 4:10PM

A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Department of Health has partially lifted its recreational water advisory for a portion of the Potomac River as repairs continue from January’s massive sewage spill.

The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, has now been lifted for a stretch of the river including Alexandria’s waterfront. The cleared area starts south at the Route 120 Chain Bridge and ends at the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County, according to a VDH announcement this afternoon (Thursday).

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Health officials suspect rabies after two people report raccoon attacks in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published March 4, 2026 at 2:30PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to be cautious around wildlife after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town yesterday (Tuesday).

According to AHD, two people said they were bitten by a raccoon near N. Henry Street, N. Patrick Street and Cameron Street in Old Town. It’s unclear if the bites came from the same raccoon, “but the incidents happened close together in time,” according to an AHD announcement this afternoon.

News

Measles case may have led to exposures at Alexandria office building

By Katie Taranto

Published February 20, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated February 20, 2026 at 5:32PM

2800 Eisenhower Avenue (via Google Maps)

An Alexandria office building is one of several potential measles exposure sites in Northern Virginia confirmed by state health officials last night (Thursday).

People in the office building, located at 2800 Eisenhower Avenue, could have been exposed to measles between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The office was reported as an exposure site in connection with two new measles cases in the region.

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Alexandria Health Department advises of measles case at more N. Va. locations

By Emily Leayman

Published February 17, 2026 at 9:30AM

Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents of another measles case, the seventh in the Northern Virginia region.

An adult who recently traveled abroad was diagnosed with measles after visiting a local grocery store and two Inova facilities, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

News

Measles exposures reported at Reagan National Airport and on Yellow Line train

By Katie Taranto

Published February 9, 2026 at 10:05AM

Departure board at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

New potential measles exposures in Northern Virginia were confirmed last week, following several cases in the region so far this year.

A preschool-age child and an out-of-state resident with measles recently traveled in Reagan National Airport and a Yellow Line Metro train, in addition to visiting a medical facility in Haymarket. Dates, times and exact locations of the potential exposure sites are listed below, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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Alexandria Health Department advises of potential exposures from another N. Va. measles case

By Katie Taranto

Published February 5, 2026 at 3:30PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising city residents of Northern Virginia’s fourth confirmed measles case this year and warning of potential exposures.

An adult from Northern Virginia with measles traveled through various sites in Fairfax County late last month, leading to potential exposures, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Dates, times and locations for the potential exposures are listed below.

Around Town

AHD offering local business ‘Cupid Coupons’ to sexual and reproductive health patients

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2026 at 2:45PM

Eliana Curated at 1003 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the Alexandria Health Department is partnering with a dozen local businesses to offer discounts customers who book a sexual or reproductive health appointment this month.

AHD is offering 5% “Cupid Coupons,” valid for up to $10 off at 12 local businesses to customers who book the appointments during the February Love Safely and Save promotion.