Governor Bob McDonnell today announced Virginia’s participation in the first-ever U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Take-Back Day, a program in which communities will provide collection sites to allow citizens to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, to help prevent prescription drug abuse.  National Take-Back Day will be held on Saturday, September 25^th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in more than 75 communities across the Commonwealth.  More information about National Take-Back Day and a list of medication drop off sites in the Commonwealth is available online at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/index.html or www.dea.gov.

College students are being told to get a “flu buddy” to bring them food if they get sick and can’t leave their dorm rooms. Pregnant women are being urged to be the first in line to get H1N1 swine-flu vaccine. Working parents are anxiously counting their remaining sick days in case they have to stay home with a sick child.

Flu is unpredictable, so it’s hard to say just how bad this fall will be with seasonal-flu and swine-flu strains circulating.

We asked experts to respond to questions we are hearing from readers. We also pulled information from federal Web sites, including transcripts of briefings, podcasts and Web meetings with clinicians, public health officials and the news media. (more…)

RICHMOND –Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is expanding its call center to handle questions that Virginians may have about the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The toll-free number is 1-877-275-8343 and will be answered during state business hours. The department will adjust hours as necessary to accommodate call volume. Virginians also are able to ask questions via e-mail through the VDH home page at www.vdh.virginia.gov. State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA said the call center’s increased operations coincide with the opening of public schools across the state this month. (more…)