RECENT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Drive through and BEAT the FLU in Dalton - Tuesday, October 2nd!
The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic is for people 18 and older. Click on this graphic to view the Drive-thru Flyer and SHARE!
Dalton, GA – Whitfield County Health Department presents the annual DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC at Dalton Convention Center on Tuesday, October 2nd from 9 am to 5 pm. Drive through and beat the flu as you safely receive a flu shot while seated in your vehicle. You’ll also be helping public health staff and community partners practice local Point of Dispensing operations for times of emergency. 4-in-1 Quadrivalent Flu Shots will be $25 and Fluzone High Dose Flu Shots for people 65 and older will be $65. Cash, checks, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The Dalton Convention Center is located at 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road in Dalton. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot each year. The fastest, most convenient way to get that shot is at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Dalton! Call (706) 279-9600 for more information.
Canton (GA) – Are you prepared to let your inner super hero shine? The Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K is Saturday, September 22, 2018. Come solo or bring the whole family for this exciting event held annually at the Etowah River Park on Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. Be sure to dress as your favorite super power hero for a chance to win a prize for your costume!
Preregister at www.expressyoursuperpower5k.com to guarantee receiving an Express Your SuperPower T-shirt, or you may register that morning prior to race time.
Both a walking and running event, the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K begins at 8 a.m. See the following Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K Activities and Details at a Glance guide.
Fun activities are planned for people of all ages as we raise awareness of breastfeeding and the health of babies and children.
Carol Hendrix, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, “We join each year with our breastfeeding coalition at the local and state levels to present the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K as an extension of our celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually August 1 – 7. Proceeds go to the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition.”
Breastfeeding is a vitally important public health issue that affects all Georgians.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding is the best method for early infant feeding and the healthiest option for most mothers and babies. Mothers and their children show short-term and long-term health benefits from breastfeeding. Although 80% of mothers start out breastfeeding, more than 50% stop before they intended. Only about 22% of infants are being exclusively breastfed as recommended by the time they are 6 months old. These low rates of breastfeeding add more than $2 billion a year to direct medical costs in the United States.1
The CDC also emphasizes the necessity of physical activity for everyone.
The CDC states that physical activity offers many benefits for the health of individuals and communities. Getting enough physical activity can prevent 1 in 8 cases of breast cancer, 1 in 8 cases of colorectal cancer, 1 in 8 cases of type 2 diabetes and 1 in 12 cases of heart disease.2
The Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K is not only a terrific opportunity for you and your family to engage in physical activity but to also support breastfeeding awareness.
Register today for the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K at www.expressyoursuperpower5k.com
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Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K Activities and Details at a Glance:
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Etowah River Park, Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA
5K, 10K, 1m, Fun Run - $25 Entry Fee
Tot Trot - $10 Entry fee
Race Day Schedule
7:00 am - Race Day Check in Starts
8:00 am - 5K & 10K start
Course
The 5K course starts and finishes in Etowah River Park and is FLAT except for the bridge over the river. The 10K course is a double loop, and should provide a perfect opportunity if you're wanting to do your 1st 10K. If you're a seasoned 10K vet, this should provide you with an opportunity to get a PR.
Timing & Awards
The event will be chip timed and we'll have awards for the Overall M/F, Overall Master's M/F, as well as top finishers in all the normal 5yr age groups starting at 10 & under through 75+.
Finish Line & Post Race Refreshments
Super Heroes, music and a ton of fun stuff await you at the end of your run.
Five Star Turkey Trot & Five Star Championships
All participants will be eligible for free entry into the Five Star Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Top finishers will earn a spot in the Five Star 5K championships.
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1, 2 https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/dnpao.htm
Health officials urge residents to make sure pets are vaccinated
ELLIJAY, GA – Gilmer County Environmental Health officials are urging residents to ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies after a Talking Rock dog was bitten by a rabid raccoon.
The raccoon fought with the dog outside a home in the Ruby Ridge Drive/Highway 136 area of Talking Rock near the Gilmer-Pickens County Line on September 4th.
The raccoon was shipped for testing to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory and the positive rabies results have now been reported to the Gilmer County Environmental Health office.
According to Andrea Mathis, county environmental health manager, there was no human exposure to the raccoon, and since the dog was currently vaccinated against rabies, it only required a booster shot and at-home observation for 45 days.
“It’s imperative to maintain rabies vaccinations in our pets, not only for their protection, but to protect ourselves and our families from rabies,” said Mathis. “Once our pets are exposed to rabies, they can expose us, and rabies is virtually 100 percent fatal if not treated before symptoms begin.”
An opportunity to get rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats at the reduced cost of $10.00 will be at the Fall Vaccines Clinic hosted by VCA Animal Appalachian Animal Hospital on September 29th. Other vaccines will be offered, as well. Please click on the attached flyer below to view various times and locations of the clinic that are being held throughout Gilmer County.
To learn more about rabies and how to protect against the disease, call the local county environmental health office. The number for Gilmer County Environmental Health is (706) 635-6050.
Additional rabies information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/rabies.
Drive through and BEAT the FLU in Blue Ridge - Wednesday, September 26th!
The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic is for people 18 and older. Click on this graphic to view the Drive-thru Flyer and SHARE!
Blue Ridge, GA – Fannin County Health Department presents the annual DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC at The Farmers Market in Blue Ridge on Wednesday, September 26th from 9 am to 3 pm. Drive through and beat the flu as you safely receive a flu shot while seated in your vehicle. You’ll also be helping public health staff and community partners practice local Point of Dispensing operations for times of emergency. 4-in-1 Quadrivalent Flu Shots will be $25 and Fluzone High Dose Flu Shots for people 65 and older will be $65. Cash, checks, credit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The Farmers Market is located on East First Street in Blue Ridge. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot each year. The fastest, most convenient way to get that shot is at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Blue Ridge! Call (706) 632-3023 for more information.
From GEORGIAGOV website
Based on the latest 11 a.m. forecast for Hurricane Florence and acting on a recommendation from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) officials, Gov. Nathan Deal today issued an emergency declaration for all 159 counties in Georgia.
“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Florence,” said Deal. “In light of the storm’s forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas. GEMA/HS continues to lead our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to provide public shelter and accommodate those evacuating from other states. Finally, I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in the path of Hurricane Florence.”
To read the executive order, click here.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the GEMA/HS website here.
BEAT the FLU FAST in Woodstock - Tuesday, September 25th!
The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic is for people 18 and older. Click on this graphic to view the Drive-thru Flyer and SHARE!
Woodstock, GA – Just drive through to beat the flu at the DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC in Woodstock! The Cherokee County Health Department will conduct their annual Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic on Tuesday, September 25th from 9 am to 2 pm at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway in Woodstock. Roll in, roll up a sleeve and get the shot that will protect you all flu season as you remain in your vehicle. You’ll also be helping public health staff and community partners practice local Point of Dispensing operations for times of emergency. 4-in-1 Quadrivalent Flu Shots will be $25 and Fluzone High Dose Flu Shots for people 65 and older will be $65. Cash, checks, credit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot each year. The fastest, most convenient way to get that shot is at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Woodstock! Call (770) 345-7371 or (770) 928-0133 for more information.
Conveniently BEAT the FLU in Jasper - Tuesday, September 25th!
The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic is for people 18 and older. Click on this graphic to view the Drive-thru Flyer and SHARE!
Jasper, GA – Fast, safe, convenient. . . drive through and beat the flu at the DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC in Jasper! Just roll in, roll up a sleeve and get the shot that will protect you all flu season, while seated in your vehicle. The Pickens County Health Department will conduct their annual Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic on Tuesday, September 25th from 8:30 am to 3 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1036 North Main Street, Jasper. You’ll also be helping public health staff and community partners practice local Point of Dispensing operations for times of emergency. 4-in-1 Quadrivalent Flu Shots will be $25 and Fluzone High Dose Flu Shots for people 65 and older will be $65. Cash, checks, credit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot each year. The fastest, most convenient way to get that shot is at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Jasper! Call (706) 253-2821 for more information.
READY TO MAKE THE MOVE FROM PEDIATRIC TO ADULT HEALTH CARE?
Join the Free Workshop on Sept. 25th in Dalton! Click on the event flyer below to enlarge for details.
***Note: This training has two simultaneous sessions, one for parents in SPANISH and another for young adults in ENGLISH. Registration is required.***
National Food Safety Month (NFSM) is the one month of the year dedicated to food safety education. Did you know that roughly one in six people get sick from foodborne illness in the United States every year? September is National Food Safety Month and we want everyone to know the importance of handling food properly. While it's important to practice safe food handling habits all year, we want to use this month to emphasize food safety basics you should already know.
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Health officials alert neighbors
Chatsworth, GA – North Georgia Health District officials announced today that a skunk that fought with a dog in a neighborhood on Mt. Moriah Road in Chatsworth has tested positive for rabies.
The skunk was killed by the owner of the dog after it came into the owner’s yard and the two animals began fighting. The incident happened on August 30th and the skunk was tested by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory immediately after Labor Day.
No other pet or human exposure to the skunk was reported, however, Murray County Environmental Health staff are notifying neighbors of the incident and urging them to ensure their pets are currently vaccinated.
All residents are reminded to maintain rabies vaccinations in their pets and to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, both wild and domesticated.
To learn more about rabies and how to protect against it, call the local county environmental health office. The number for Murray County Environmental Health is (706) 695-0266, ext. 371.
Additional rabies information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/rabies.