Alexandria Health Department

Measles case reported at Dulles last weekend led to potential N. Va. exposures

Published January 31, 2026 at 2:45PM

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

Health officials are advising of potential measles exposures after confirming a case that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last Saturday.

A person with measles traveled through the Dulles airport and took a shuttle bus to its rental car facilities on Saturday, Jan. 24. Health officials “are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights,” the Virginia Department of Health said in a release today (Saturday).

Around Town

Health inspector probe into Old Town juice shop’s emotional support dog prompts petition

By Emily Leayman

Published January 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Zen Press Juice's storefront (staff photo by James Cullum)

Following a health inspection at an Old Town juice shop earlier this month, a community petition has launched to allow the business owner’s emotional support animal inside the establishment.

The recent Change.org petition focuses on a recent city investigation into a complaint about dogs inside Zen Press Juice. That includes owner JuAnn Wong’s emotional support dog, Coco, who previously made frequent visits to the shop at 806 King Street.

News

Emergency visits for the flu triple in Alexandria, prompting calls for more vaccinations

By Katie Taranto

Published January 5, 2026 at 11:45AM

Former ALXnow editor receives a Covid-19 shot on Wednesday, Sept. 10 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

After a reported uptick in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses in the city, the Alexandria Health Department is recommending the flu shot and and other preventative measures to stay healthy.

Flu-related emergency department visits more than tripled in Alexandria during the last two weeks of December, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. Alexandria’s current flu vaccination rate is low, sitting at less than 30% of the population, AHD spokesperson Eve Elliott told ALXnow.

Around Town

Holiday ‘condom trees’ arrive at Alexandria clinic and bookstore

By Katie Taranto

Published December 11, 2025 at 1:45PM

Alexandria Health Department's holiday "condom tree" (courtesy of AHD)

New holiday trees from the Alexandria Health Department are seeking to spread cheer while preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

A small, artificial tree in AHD’s clinic waiting room at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) is decorated with about 20 to 30 sexual health items, including internal and external condoms, as well as fentanyl test strips. A second “condom tree” has been placed at Friends to Lovers Romance Book Store at 301 Cameron Street.

News

World AIDS Day commemoration raises awareness about public health in Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published December 2, 2025 at 12:30PM

The Northern Virginia World AIDS Day Choir during Alexandria's 2025 commemoration (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Northern Virginia residents and Alexandria officials gathered last night (Monday) for the city’s annual World AIDS Day commemoration to encourage public health education and community testing.

The event featured musical performances by the Northern Virginia World AIDS Day Choir and musician Tony Craddock, a Q&A panel and free HIV testing available afterward. Mayor Alyia Gaskins also read a proclamation acknowledging the day “to show solidarity and strength against HIV stigma.”

News

Health Department issues rabies alert after fox tests positive near Rosemont

By Katie Taranto

Published November 13, 2025 at 2:55PM

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

The Alexandria Health Department is issuing a warning to residents after a fox spotted near Rosemont over the weekend tested positive for rabies.

The now-deceased fox came into contact with a person and a dog near Rosemont on Sunday, Nov. 9, according to AHD. In a release today (Thursday), the department said it is working with the exposed parties on “safe next steps” and warning of “an increased risk of rabies exposures in the community.”

News

Alexandria City High School offering free STI screening this week

By James Cullum

Published October 27, 2025 at 11:20AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City High School students can get free and confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing at school this week.

The free “Hallo-Screen” event, which is open to all Alexandria teens, will be conducted over the course of two days at the Teen Wellness Center clinics on both ACHS campuses. The testing schedule is below.

News

Alexandria Health Department urges residents to get vaccinated as respiratory illness season arrives

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

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

The Alexandria Health Department is encouraging residents to get vaccinated and practice healthy habits as cold and flu season approaches, officials announced Tuesday.

As temperatures drop, health officials warn that respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, typically increase, potentially leading to serious health complications, missed work and school days, and hospitalizations.

News

Alexandria residents can safely dispose of unused medications at Drug Take Back Day

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 10, 2025 at 11:30AM

Drug Take Back Day (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unused or expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, and Alexandria Health Department — in cooperation with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria — will staff four drop-off locations across the city as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s nationwide initiative.

News

Alexandria Health Department needs volunteers to craft five-year health improvement plan

By James Cullum

Published October 8, 2025 at 11:30AM

Alexandria sign in the city's Arlandria neighborhood (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Health Department is looking for volunteers to join community coalitions to create the city’s next five-year Health Improvement Plan.

In the upcoming 2026-2031 plan, AHD will focus on citywide mental wellness, as well as in the Landmark/Van Dorn corridor in the West End and the city’s Arlandria neighborhood. The focus areas were chosen in AHD’s most recent State of Health Report. Each subject matter area will be worked on by a coalition, which will be made up of “Alexandria residents, businesses, faith leaders, community groups, and others who work and spend time here,” according to AHD.

News

Alexandria’s childhood vaccination rate drops below critical threshold for disease prevention

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 16, 2025 at 8:25AM

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

Alexandria’s childhood vaccination rates have fallen to concerning levels, dropping from 95% in 2019 to just 88% last school year for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines, according to new data from an NBC News investigation published Monday.

The decline affects Alexandria City Public Schools’ 16,335 students across 18 schools. It puts the city below the critical 95% vaccination threshold needed for “herd immunity” — the level required to prevent measles outbreaks and stop disease spread within a community.