Multi-State Outbreak Associated with Recalled Artificial Tears

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning consumers to not purchase or use EzriCare Artifical Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears due to potential bacterial contamination. These over-the-counter eye drops have been linked to a multi-state outbreak of a rare, extensively drug-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). As of January 31, the CDC has identified 55 of these bacterial infections related to the use of EzriCare Artifical Tears across 12 different states. Associated adverse events include hospitalization, one death with bloodstream infection, and permanent vision loss from eye infections.



If you have been using either EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, immediately stop and dispose of the product(s). To report an adverse reaction, contact the FDA’s Consumer Complaint Coordinators. If you have specific concerns related to your use, contact your healthcare provider.  

Pictured above is the packaging for EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears.

Public Survey: Impediments to Fair Housing in BRHD

The City of Charlottesville and the Thomas Jefferson HOME Consortium (TJHC) are making a new plan for their use of federal housing resources. To help prioritize the limited federal funding for the next five years, they are inviting anyone living or working in the City of Charlottesville, or Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson counties to complete an online survey. By sharing your direct feedback, you can help TJHC identify the most pressing housing and community needs affecting our residents! The survey will remain open until Sunday, February 19 and is also available in Spanish and Swahili. Paper and Farsi versions are available upon request. For more information, visit the TJHC website. If you have questions or need assistance, email ljtalun@tjpdc.org or ikefuna@charlottesville.gov.

Black History Month and Public Health

Happy Black History Month! This February, we’d like to shine a spotlight on arguably one of the biggest contributions to public health, from someone born and raised right here in Virginia. You may have heard her name before, but did you know her legacy still actively shapes our research to this day?

Meet Mrs. Henrietta Lacks, born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1920. While living in Maryland at the age of 31, Mrs. Lacks sought treatment at Johns Hopkins University - one of the only hospitals treating Black patients at the time. During her visit, doctors discovered a large malignant tumor located on her cervix and diagnosed her with terminal cervical cancer. A tissue sample from the tumor was collected and sent for analysis by a prominent cancer researcher (without her awareness or consent). Unlike every other tissue sample that eventually perished outside of the body, Ms. Lacks' cells didn’t die. Rather, they continued to multiply exponentially, doubling about every 24 hours. These cells were nicknamed “HeLa” cells after Henrietta Lacks and were shared widely among the medical community. While these cells would live on for decades to come, Mrs. Lacks passed only a few months later in 1951.

Most recently, HeLa cells have been used to better understand the COVID-19 virus, SARS-COV-2. While trying to study the virus in a lab setting, researchers noticed it wasn’t infecting HeLa cells very successfully. This prompted further studies, leading them to the discovery of the binding molecule used by the virus to attach and self-replicate within cells. Received a COVID-19 vaccine? Used a therapeutic treatment like Paxlovid or Evusheld when sick with COVID-19? You have Mrs. Henrietta Lacks to thank!

Though her cells have become the foundation for most research since, neither Mrs. Lacks nor her family had any say over how her cells were used or when her private medical history was shared until very recently. They also never received compensation after companies profited for years from her cells. Recently, though, her hometown of Roanoke, VA elected to construct a statue of Mrs. Lacks in recognition of her contribution to public health throughout history. 

To learn more about Ms. Lacks and her contributions to medicine and public health, visit the Henrietta Lacks Foundation website.

Family Skate Night at Yancey Community Center

Feel that? Love for family (and fun) is in the air! This evening, Friday, February 10, the Yancey Community Center’s Skate Night is returning for a Pre-Valentine’s Extravaganza. Everyone’s invited, so check out the skating schedule by age group below: 

• 5:30-6:30 PM for ages 3-12 
• 7:00-8:00 PM for ages 13-17 
• 8:00-9:00 PM for ages 18+ 



Entry is $3 which includes skate rentals. Entry is only $2 if you bring your own skates. Cash only! In addition, the event will now include a new children’s playhouse for toddlers (with parental watch), bingo, games, and refreshments for sale by the B.F. Yancey Food Pantry. Join us in letting the good times roll! Scan the QR code below or visit albemarle.org/parks to learn more. 

Closed for President’s Day

All BRHD offices will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of President’s Day. Service will resume as normal on Tuesday, February 21 at 8:30 AM.