Virginia Joins Governors Public Health Alliance to Strengthen Disease Prevention and Emergency Response

Virginia is joining a coalition of governors working to prepare for disease outbreaks, strengthen emergency response, and improve access to reliable public health information.

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Friday, October 23, that Virginia has joined the Governors Public Health Alliance, a coalition of 16 governors representing more than 40% of the U.S. population.

The alliance lets governors and state health officials communicate across state lines, share information, consult public health experts, and coordinate responses when health threats affect multiple states.

Spanberger said the decision reflects the need for states to work together as public health challenges become increasingly complex.

“As Governor, I am focused on doing all that we can to protect the health and safety of every person who calls Virginia home,” Spanberger said.

“We know that health threats do not stop at state borders, and neither should our approach to preparing for and responding to these threats.”

The governor also criticized the federal government’s handling of public health policy.

“As Washington throws our nation’s public health system into chaos, I’m proud to join governors across the country as we work together to provide stability and protect the people we serve,” she said.

What the Alliance Means for Virginia

The Governors Public Health Alliance helps states address public health challenges that extend beyond their borders.

Its work includes coordinating disease surveillance, sharing information about emerging health threats, improving emergency preparedness, and providing access to public health expertise.

For Virginia, participation gives state health leaders another channel to work with counterparts in other states during outbreaks or other emergencies.

The alliance also offers opportunities to share successful approaches to disease prevention, public health communication, and access to medical care.

Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa said cooperation among states can speed up officials’ responses to developing situations.

“This Alliance gives us another way to protect Virginians,” Figueroa said.

“We can share information sooner, learn from other states, and work together when a health threat requires a coordinated response.”

He emphasized that public health protection requires planning before an emergency occurs.

“Just like every year, we’ll rely on the public health experts that have helped protect us and our loved ones. But that kind of protection doesn’t simply exist. It requires coordination, commitment, and the cross-state cooperation this Alliance represents.”

The announcement did not identify a specific financial commitment associated with joining the alliance or announce changes to Virginia’s existing public health laws.

Instead, the immediate focus is on strengthening communication and cooperation among participating states.

Virginia’s Measles Outbreak Shows the Need for Cooperation

State officials pointed to Virginia’s recent measles outbreak as an example of why coordination among health agencies is important.

Between May and August 2026, Virginia health officials responded to a major measles outbreak in Central Virginia.

The outbreak began in Buckingham County and later expanded into neighboring Cumberland County.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, the outbreak resulted in 154 confirmed cases.

Four people were hospitalized with measles-related complications during the outbreak. No deaths were reported.

Health officials said all 154 cases involved unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination status was unknown.

The last confirmed outbreak-associated case was reported June 29. After 42 days without another outbreak-associated case, the department officially declared it over on August 18.

Containing the outbreak required extensive cooperation among local health districts, state and regional epidemiologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and health officials in neighboring states.

North Carolina, also a member of the Governors Public Health Alliance, was among the states that coordinated public health information.

The response included identifying potentially exposed people, providing accurate information to communities, connecting patients with medical care, and making vaccinations available.

State officials say the experience showed how quickly an infectious disease can create challenges that require cooperation beyond county and state boundaries.

Although that outbreak has ended, Virginia continues to monitor measles activity and investigate potential exposures.

Coordinating Public Health Guidance

Another focus of the alliance involves helping states respond to changes in federal public health recommendations.

In recent months, states have faced questions about vaccine guidance, disease monitoring, and access to reliable health information.

The alliance gives participating governors and health officials a chance to review developments, consult medical experts, and share information before deciding how to respond.

Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb said families need dependable information, particularly when public health recommendations change.

“When federal guidance shifts, families still need clear answers from people they trust,” Webb said.

“The Virginia Department of Health answers those questions every day in clinics, schools and local health districts across the Commonwealth.”

Webb said participating in the alliance will allow Virginia officials to draw on additional expertise.

“The Governors Public Health Alliance connects that work to public health experts across the country, so the guidance we give Virginians stays clear, consistent and grounded in evidence.”

The alliance shares information on infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, vaccine policy, and other issues that affect public health systems.

A Coalition of Governors Across the Country

With Virginia’s addition, the Governors Public Health Alliance now includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Virginia.

The organization describes itself as nonpartisan, although its current participating governors are Democrats.

The Governors Action Alliance, also known as GovAct, supports the alliance; it is a nonprofit organization that works with governors on policy and public health issues.

Its public health advisors include Dr. Mandy Cohen, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and former North Carolina secretary of health and human services; Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska chief medical officer; and Raj Panjabi, former White House senior director for global health security and biodefense.

Together, the advisors bring experience in infectious disease response, public health administration, and national emergency preparedness.

Angela Botticella, managing director of the Governors Public Health Alliance, welcomed Virginia’s participation.

“Virginia’s participation strengthens the Alliance at a time when states are facing public health challenges that demand quick, coordinated responses that they are not getting from the federal government,” Botticella said.

She said states benefit from having access to other governors and public health professionals when dealing with outbreaks or changes in medical guidance.

“Whether states are responding to an infectious disease outbreak, preparing for the next health threat, or navigating changes in federal guidance, governors benefit from being able to turn to their peers and trusted public health experts.”

Preparing for Future Health Threats

For Virginia residents, the new partnership is intended to strengthen the work already being done by the Virginia Department of Health and local health districts.

Those agencies remain responsible for monitoring diseases, responding to public health emergencies, providing information to communities, and coordinating with medical providers.

The alliance adds another avenue for exchanging information and working with other states when problems extend beyond Virginia’s borders.

Officials have not announced specific changes to local health department operations as a result of joining the organization.

For now, Virginia’s participation reflects a broader effort to strengthen state-level preparedness and cooperation as federal public health policies change.

As the recent measles outbreak showed, responding to an infectious disease often requires assistance and coordination across multiple jurisdictions.

State officials hope building those relationships before another emergency helps Virginia respond more quickly and effectively when the next public health threat emerges.

Additional information about the coalition is available at govsforhealth.org.