disease | ALXnow

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).

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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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Preschooler with measles led to potential exposures in N. Va. last week

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 12:30PM

Virginia Department of Health offices in Richmond. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for The Virginia Mercury)

The Alexandria Health Department is alerting city residents to recent measles exposures that occurred in Northern Virginia last week.

A preschool-aged child in the region who recently traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The child visited three health care sites across Woodbridge and Falls Church from Jan. 13-18, which AHD notes may have led to potential exposures.

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Alexandria ranks higher than average in Virginia for STIs and rates are still swelling

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2025 at 2:55PM | Updated February 10, 2025 at 3:21PM

Couple on a date at a restaurant (Photo by René Ranisch on Unsplash)

Add a new ranking to Alexandria’s accolades: it ranks significantly higher than average in Virginia and Northern Virginia specifically for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The increase reflects a national trend of STI cases climbing in recent years, but the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) said the City ranks above the state and regional average in gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis cases.

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Alexandria Health Department to host meeting about Monkeypox concerns

By Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2022 at 11:10AM

Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

With Alexandria hitting 50 cases of Monkeypox, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is planning to host a virtual meeting next week to address concerns about the virus.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m.

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BREAKING: Second Coronavirus Case Reported in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published March 15, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated March 15, 2020 at 12:16PM

A second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Alexandria.

The news comes a day after the city declared a local emergency, and two days after Alexandria City Public Schools announced schools were closing until mid-April.

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Alexandria Businesses Bracing For Effects of COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated March 13, 2020 at 4:28PM

Businesses, nonprofits and hotels around the city are feeling the initial effects of COVID-19.

Many businesses are offering contact-less service, delivering goods from door-to-door, and providing workouts and other services online for customers who would otherwise have to venture from home.

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ACPS Working on Continuity Plan in Event of Coronavirus-Related Shutdown

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2020 at 2:05PM

Some students and staff at five Alexandria City Public Schools have been advised to stay home and self-monitor for signs of COVID-19, and the school system is working out the logistics of shutting down completely.

Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. discussed the school system’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in a web conference on Wednesday.

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JUST IN: Inova Restricts Visitation Due to Coronavirus

By Vernon Miles

Published March 12, 2020 at 10:25AM

Inova Alexandria Hospital (Image via Inova Alexandria Hospital/Facebook)

Inova hospitals, including the one in Alexandria, announced today that it is implementing new restrictions on visitation to try to combat the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

According to a social media post, effective today (Thursday):

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated March 12, 2020 at 10:12AM

Senior Communities Taking Extra Precautions — “In Alexandria specifically, we are screening visitors as they come in the door. We’re checking temperatures, [and] doing questionnaire work.” [WAMU]

NOVA Shifts to Remote Learning — “With growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA, is shifting to remote learning for all students beginning March 18. All classes will be cancelled March 16-17 to allow for the transition, according to a statement from the school.” [InsideNova]

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Alexandria Resident Tests Presumptive Positive For Coronavirus

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2020 at 12:45AM | Updated March 12, 2020 at 6:32AM

Virginia Theological Seminary (Photo via Virginia Theological Seminary/Facebook)

An Alexandria resident has tested “presumptive positive” for the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Health Department announced on Wednesday night.

In a late-night press release, the city said that the resident tested positive after being in close contact with an infected Washington, D.C. resident who spent time at the Immanuel Chapel of the Virginia Theological Seminary. The city said that worshipers and visitors to the chapel between Feb. 26 and March 4 should monitor themselves for symptoms.