Norfolk Health Department reports respiratory illness peak, rising syphilis rates and expansion plans

Dr. Turrah, director of the Norfolk Department of Public Health, told the City Council on Jan. 14 that the department is mid‑way through a 2024–2029 five‑year plan and is prioritizing respiratory surveillance, vector control modernization, expanded community services and targeted work on maternal and infant health and sexually transmitted infections.

Why it matters: The director reported seasonal peaks in influenza and RSV, ongoing COVID‑19 activity that has been smaller than prior waves, a recent rise in gastrointestinal (norovirus‑like) illness elsewhere in the region (but none reported in Norfolk), and an alarming increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis across the Eastern Region and in Norfolk. She also described planned service expansions intended to reach underserved populations.

Highlights from the briefing

- Surveillance: The department’s emergency‑room data indicate Norfolk’s current flu season is near its peak and COVID activity has shown recent summer and winter increases but smaller than earlier pandemic peaks. - Syphilis and STIs: The Norfolk/Eastern Region has some of the higher syphilis rates in the Commonwealth; Dr. Turrah said rates have risen across age groups and demographics and noted congenital syphilis cases increased regionally in recent months. The department plans a public campaign and a full‑court testing and treatment approach with partners. - Vector control: Norfolk is modernizing mosquito surveillance and aims to add in‑house testing capacity for Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus, which would make it one of a small number of districts in the Commonwealth with that capability. - Direct services and access: The health department’s baseline clinical presence is at Southampton; the department plans to expand clinical services in Park Place and to add a North‑end location. Mobile units will provide naloxone distribution, point‑of‑care STI testing and WIC services. - Accreditation and data: The department plans to pursue Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation in 2025 and is investing in data analytics and performance improvement to target services and measure outcomes.

Equity and maternal‑child health

Dr. Turrah highlighted racial disparities in infant mortality in Norfolk, saying Black infants die at roughly three times the rate of white infants in the city and that barriers to prenatal care (transportation, time, finances) remain a major factor. She described coalition work on home visiting and expanded prenatal support as evidence‑based steps to reduce preterm births and infant mortality.

Emergency preparedness and funding risks

The director said the department is strengthening lines of communication with health systems and city departments and is building internal emergency response capacity. She named two risks that “keep me up at night”: potential declines in school vaccination rates and any significant cuts to Medicaid or other federal programs that support preventive services and benefits such as WIC and SNAP.

Quote

“The mission of the Norfolk Health Department is to protect the health and promote the well‑being of all people in Norfolk,” Dr. Turrah told the council.

Council response and next steps

Councilmembers asked for demographic breakdowns of STI and infant mortality trends and requested regular updates on efforts to expand clinic locations and mobile services. The director said a public campaign on syphilis testing and treatment will launch in the spring and the department will pursue expanded in‑house vector testing capacity.

Ending

The council thanked the director for the briefing and signaled interest in continued collaboration on maternal‑child health, vector modernization, and community‑based service expansion.