One puppy killed, injured puppies to be euthanized

Crandall (GA) – Murray County Environmental Health officials received word from a family on Friday, July 19th that a skunk came into a dog pen at their home off Rob Brooks Road in Crandall, Georgia and attacked several puppies.

One puppy was killed during the attack, and others were injured. None had yet been vaccinated for rabies, so the injured puppies were quarantined at Murray County Veterinary Services in Chatsworth until it could be determined if the skunk was positive for rabies.

Since then, test results from the Georgia Public Health Laboratory confirmed that the skunk was rabies infected; therefore, the puppies were to be euthanized. The mother dog was currently vaccinated against rabies so only needed a rabies booster shot and is under a 45-day quarantine at home.

Jason Baum, manager of Murray County Environmental Health, said he is passing out incident notification fliers in the immediate neighborhood and is encouraging all residents to maintain rabies vaccinations in their pets. He also said to avoid unfamiliar animals and immediately report bites or scratches from any animal that could potentially be unvaccinated against rabies to a healthcare provider and the local environmental health office. The Murray County Environmental Health Office phone number is (706) 695-0266, ext. 371. If calling after hours, please call the Georgia Poison Control Center, toll-free, at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information about rabies and its prevention, please log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

Does Your Back-to-School Checklist Include Vaccination?

 

Vaccinations Available at Health Departments in North Georgia! Click on the above LOCATIONS Tab for our County Health Departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties!

From newborns to college, you can help protect your children from 16 serious diseases by getting them vaccinated. Make sure your kids get any needed vaccines before the back-to-school rush!

As a parent, making sure your children are vaccinated on time is an important step toward ensuring their long-term health. Vaccination also helps protect the health of classmates, friends, relatives, and others in the community.

By following the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for your children, you help protect them from disease outbreaks:

• 2017-2018 was a high severity flu season with record breaking levels of influenza-like illness and hospitalization rates. CDC reported 176 flu-related deaths in children through June 30th. This set the record for the highest number of flu-related deaths in children reported during a single flu season. Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season.
• In 2014, The United States experienced 667 reported cases of measles in 27 states. That’s the greatest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000. From January 1st to June 16th, 2018, 93 people from 19 states were reported to have measles.
• Outbreaks of whooping cough can occur at middle and high schools as protection from childhood vaccines fades. In 2016, there were 17,972 reported cases of whooping cough in the U.S., down from 2012’s 57-year high of 48,277 cases.

Vaccines for Young Children (Newborns through 6 years old):

• During the early years of life, your children need vaccines to help protect them from diseases that can be very serious, even deadly.
• You can find out what vaccines your children need by reviewing CDC’s recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule.
• Annual flu vaccines are recommended for children 6 months and older. Each year, millions of children get sick from seasonal flu. Thousands are hospitalized, and some children die from flu. Children of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at high risk of serious flu complications.

Preteens and teens need vaccines, too! Check out the CDC recommended vaccines for teens.

Vaccines for Preteens and Teens (7 years old through 18 years old):

• All preteens and teens need a flu vaccine every year.
  • Some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of flu vaccine. Children 6 months through 8 years getting vaccinated for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season. The first dose should be taken as soon as the flu vaccine is available, and the second dose should be received at least 28 days after the first dose. In following years, only one dose is needed.
• In addition to an year flu vaccine, three vaccines are recommended specifically for preteens:
  • HPV vaccine protects against HPV infections that can cause cancer later in life.
  • Tdap is a booster shot to help protect preteens from whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine protects against meningitis, and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). These illnesses can be very serious, even fatal.
• If your teen hasn’t gotten one or more of these vaccines, make an appointment for them to get caught up today.

Be wise – Have your Child Immunized

What Parents Need to Know:

• CDC has online resources and tools to help you make sure your kids are up to date on recommended vaccines and protected from serious diseases.
• If you don’t have health insurance, or your insurance policy doesn’t cover all recommended childhood vaccines, your child may be eligible for vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
• Your state may require children to get vaccines against certain diseases before the first day of school. Visit the Immunization Action Coalition’s State Information websiteExternal for more information.

It’s Not Too Late to Protect Your Children!

If your children have missed any vaccines, your healthcare professional can use the catch-up immunization schedule to get them back on track.  Make sure your kids get any needed vaccines before the back-to-school rush!

Watch this great CDC video! https://youtu.be/UAQ3wasEMYA 

Prevent Mosquito Bites

The most effective way to avoid getting sick from viruses spread by mosquitoes when at home and during travel is to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can spread viruses that make you sick or, in rare cases, cause death. Although most kinds of mosquitoes are just nuisance mosquitoes, some kinds of mosquitoes in the United States and around the world spread viruses that can cause disease.

 

Mosquitoes bite during the day and night, live indoors and outdoors, and search for warm places as temperatures begin to drop. Some will hibernate in enclosed spaces, like garages, sheds, and under (or inside) homes to survive cold temperatures. Except for the southernmost states in North America, mosquito season starts in the summer and continues into fall.

Examples of viruses spread by mosquitoes:

• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Japanese encephalitis
• La Crosse encephalitis
• St. Louis encephalitis
• West Nile
• Yellow fever
• Zika

 

When used as directed, insect repellents are the BEST way to protect yourself and family members from getting sick from mosquito bites.

 

 

 

Prevention

• Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use an EPA-registered insect repellentExternal with one of the following active ingredients: 
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone
• Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Keep mosquitoes outside: Use air conditioning, or window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.

 

For more information, see the Mosquito Bite Prevention fact sheet. Cdc-pdf[967 KB]

Planning a trip?

Make a check list of everything you’ll need for an enjoyable vacation and use the following resources to help you prepare:

• Learn about destination-specific health risks and recommendations by visiting CDC Travelers’ Health website.
• Pack a travel health kit. Remember to pack insect repellent and use it as directed to prevent mosquito bites.
• See a *healthcare provider familiar with travel medicine, ideally 4 to 6 weeks before your trip.
• Click here to our *Gilmer County International Travel Clinic page to learn how to make a convenient appointment!

 

Do your homework before you travel.

For most viruses spread by mosquitoes, there are no vaccines or medicines available. However, vaccines are available for viruses like Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever. Travelers to areas with risk of those viruses should get vaccinated.

After traveling

• Even if they do not feel sick, travelers should prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks after their trip so they do not spread viruses like dengue, Zika, or chikungunya to uninfected mosquitoes.
• If you have been travelling and have symptoms including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash, see your healthcare provider immediately and be sure to share your travel history.

View national and state maps (including county-level data) from 2003-present.

Mosquito-borne viruses in the continental US

West Nile virus is the most common virus spread by mosquitoes in the continental United States. People can also get sick from less common viruses spread by mosquitoes, like La Crosse encephalitis or St. Louis encephalitis. In rare cases, these can cause severe disease or even be deadly. Most people infected with these viruses do not have symptoms, or have only mild symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. CDC tracks diseases spread by mosquitoes.

Mosquito-borne viruses in US territories

Viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are well-known to people living in US territories like Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Many people infected with these viruses do not have symptoms, or have mild symptoms. Mild symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash.

Dengue

More than one-third of the world’s population lives in areas with risk of dengue, including Puerto Rico. Dengue virus infections are a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. It is estimated as many as 100 million people get sick each year. Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses spread by mosquitoes. Early recognition and prompt medical care can greatly lower the risk of complications and even death. Learn more from the Dengue Feature.

Zika

Zika virus disease (Zika) is still a problem in many parts of the world. Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands are areas with risk. Many areas in the United States have the kind of mosquitoes that can spread Zika.

Zika can cause birth defects in babies born to women who were infected during pregnancy. CDC recommends pregnant women and their partners and couples considering pregnancy know the risks and take prevention steps.

Chikungunya

Since 2013, chikungunya virus has spread to 45 countries and over 2 million cases have been reported. US territories such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have had large outbreaks of chikungunya virus. Infection is rarely fatal, but joint pain can often be severe and debilitating. There are also cases of travelers returning home who have been infected.

More Information

• Mosquito Bite Prevention in the United States Cdc-pdf[967 KB]
• Mosquito Control

One-Stop Spot for School State Health Requirements!

Is your child ready for the upcoming school year? The Cherokee County Health Department is conducting a Back To School Rush Health Clinic on Tuesday, July 30th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at public health department locations in both Canton and Woodstock. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and BMI/Nutrition Screenings will be available: Total cost for screenings is $50. Also, immunizations will be provided for school-age children for $21.90 each (for uninsured or underinsured). Medicaid (including Amerigroup, Caresource, Peachstate and Wellcare), Peachcare for Kids, HUMANA, AETNA, United Health Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ambetter, CIGNA and Coventry are accepted. The health department location in Canton is 1219 Univeter Road and the address in Woodstock is 7545 North Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton or (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Each year on June 27, we observe National HIV Testing Day. On this day, we unite with partners, health departments, and other organizations to raise awareness and plan events about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. Contact your county health department in the North Georgia Health District in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County (see above LOCATIONS tab) or at one of our Living Bridge Centers in either Canton or Dalton. Click here to learn more about our district HIV/AIDS Program and services.

Get Involved

Help encourage HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day and every day to ensure people get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment services. Plan a testing day event, or use the resources below to raise awareness of the importance of HIV testing

This year’s theme, “Doing It My Way,” highlights how and why people make testing part of their lives—on their terms and in their way. Doing It My Way encourages individuals to share their personal testaments of why testing is important, what motivates them to get tested and stay healthy, and how they get tested—be it at home, at the clinic, or with the company of a friend or loved one.

Get the Word Out

Share these posts and the accompanying Doing It My Way visuals on social media using the #DoingItMyWay hashtag (#HaciéndoloAMiManera in Spanish).

Updated U.S. Recommendations for HIV Screening

Just recently, the United States Task Force on Prevention released updated recommendations for HIV Screening. This update emphasizes the importance of getting screened between the ages of 15 and 65, with those who are younger and older being at higher risk of HIV infection. It also recommends that for every pregnancy, women should be screened; and, it ends with a reminder that the only way to know if you are HIV positive is to be screened. Please refer to the link below for these updated recommendations:

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-screening1

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More Resources about PrEP and HIV Awareness and Treatment:

file:///C:/Users/tscott/Downloads/hiv-screening-prep-final-rec-news-bulletin.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/testingday.html

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This Year’s Theme for National HIV Testing Day: #DoingItMyWay

National #HIVTestingDay is Thursday, June 27. Share how you’re #DoingItMyWay—getting tested for HIV. #NHTD www.cdc.gov/doingit

Spanish: Hoy es el #DíaNacionalDeLaPruebaDelVIH. Comparte cómo estas #HaciéndoloAMiManera– haciéndote la prueba del VIH. www.cdc.gov/haciendolo

What motivates you to make HIV testing part of your health routine? Use #DoingItMyWay to tell the world why YOU get tested for HIV. #HIVTestingDay #NHTD www.cdc.gov/doingit

Have you heard about #DoingItMyWay? It’s about sharing why HIV testing is important to you, the things that motivate you to get tested and stay healthy, and how you get tested. Share how you’re #DoingItMyWay this National #HIVTestingDay! #NHTD  www.cdc.gov/doingit

From DMV.org by Bridget Clerkin

A vehicle's interior can warm rapidly and prove fatal to children and pets.

With its longer days and warmer air, summer is a seasonal favorite of many. But the same things that make this time of year so pleasant can also make it potentially dangerous.

The hottest months are here again and many children are at risk of losing their lives to vehicular heatstroke. Most tend to be infants.

The statistics are undoubtedly tragic, but sadly, they’re nothing new. Since 1998, hundreds of children age 14 and under have passed away from vehicular heatstroke. This is the leading auto-related killer of children outside of roadway accidents. 

Children under 1 are the primary victims.

And that’s to say nothing of the thousands of animals that lose their lives each year inside a hot car.

But the heartbreaking situation is nothing if not preventable.

Below are some tips, tricks, and facts to help make this summer as safe as possible for your smallest passengers.

Heat Rising

One of the things that makes vehicular heatstroke so dangerous is how quickly it strikes.

In 10 minutes, the interior of a car can heat up by 19 degrees. And cracking a window doesn’t help.

In 10 minutes, the interior of a car can heat up by 19 degrees.

The issue arises from the rays of shortwave radiation beaming down from the sun. The solar energy is absorbed particularly well by dark-colored objects, such as a dashboard, steering wheel, or car seat, which can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees from exposure to the rays. 

The heat-absorbed objects then, in turn, emit longwave radiation, which works quickly and effectively at warming the air inside of a vehicle.

Children and animals are particularly at risk in the superheated environment as it takes far less to bring up their core temperatures. 

Even in a vehicle parked in the shade, a 2-year-old’s body can reach a potentially fatal 104 degrees in under 2 hours, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Arizona. (Cars parked in the sun could become deadly in just one hour, the study found.)

And while vehicles with light-colored interiors take slightly longer to reach dangerous levels, they aren’t immune to the lethal effects, which can take place on days with a temperature as low as 57 degrees.

Still, a number of technological solutions are being developed to help combat the problem—and they’re becoming more widely available (go to DMV.org to learn more).

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Time to take steps to be healthier, but you're NOT alone!

National Men’s Health Week is observed each year leading up to Father’s Day. This week is a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier, but they don’t have to do it alone! Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life.

For more information, contact your local North Georgia public health department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County (click on county name to link to health department page and contact information).

Set an Example with Healthy Habits

You can support the men in your life by having healthy habits yourself and by making healthy choices.

• Eat healthy and include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
• Regular physical activity has many benefits . It can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, and can improve your mental health and mood. Find fun ways to be active together. Adults need 2½ hours of physical activity each week.
• Set an example by choosing not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You lower your risk for different types of cancer, and don’t expose others to secondhand smoke—which causes health problems. Call your state’s tobacco quitline (for English speakers, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW [1-800-784-8669]; for Spanish speakers, call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA [1-855-335-3569])
• Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress.Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Learn ways to manage stress including finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Remind Men to Get Regular Checkups

Encourage men to see a doctor or health professional for regular checkups and to learn about their family health history.

• Men can prepare for doctor’s visits and learn which preventive tests or screenings they need. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem.
• It’s important for men (and women) to understand their family health history, which is a written or graphic record of the diseases and health conditions present in your family. It is helpful to talk with family members about health history, write this information down, and update it from time to time.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Every 43 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Know the signs of a heart attack and if you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack call 911 immediately. Major signs of a heart attack include:

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
• Shortness of breath

Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disease or injury worldwide for both men and women. Learn to recognize the signs and how to help the men in your life.

• Signs of depression include persistent sadness, grumpiness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness and decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide.
• Those that suffer from depression or anxiety should seek help as early as possible. If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
  • Call 911
  • Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care provider’s office
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor

this Summer in North Georgia!

 Come get your delicious fresh fruits and vegetables this summer at several Farmers Markets presented by North Georgia's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.

Affordably priced and locally grown, these fresh fruits and vegetables come with free recipes for preparing healthy, nutritious and scrumptious meals! By the way, active WIC participants get $30 worth of FREE fruits and veggies, so be sure to bring your WIC folder.

The Farmers Markets will be held this summer on these dates at these locations:

• Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton - Thursday, June 13th, 8 AM - 2 PM
• Murray County Health Department, 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth  - Tuesday, June 18th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, June 19th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Fannin County Health Department, 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge - Thursday, June 20th, 8 AM - Noon
• Dalton's Mack Gaston Community Center, 218 N. Frederick Street, Dalton - Monday, June 24th, 8 AM - 2 PM
• Gilmer County Health Department, 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay - Tuesday, June 25th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, July 3rd, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Pickens County Health Department, 60 Health Way, Jasper - Tuesday, July 16th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, July 17th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton - Thursday, July 18th, 8 AM - 2 PM
• Murray County Health Department, 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth  - Tuesday, July 23rd, 8 AM - 2 PM
• *Dalton's Mack Gaston Community Center, 218 N. Frederick Street, Dalton - Monday, July 29th, 8 AM - 2 PM *Moved from July 22nd
• Gilmer County Health Department, 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay - Tuesday, July 30th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, August 7th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Fannin County Health Department, 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge - Thursday, August 15th, 9 AM - Noon
• Murray County Health Department, 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth  - Tuesday, August 20th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, August 21st, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Gilmer County Health Department, 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay - Tuesday, August 27th, 8 AM - 11 AM
• Cherokee County Health Department, Canton Health Center, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton - Wednesday, September 4th, 8 AM - 11 AM

For more information, call (706) 370-4700.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

We are joining organizations across the country to team up for Men’s Health!

To celebrate Men’s Health Month, North Georgia Health District joins Men’s Health Network, the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, and hundreds of other local and national organizations to educate the public about the many preventable health problems that affect men and boys, and empower them and their loved ones to move towards a healthier, happier life.

Men die five years younger than women, on average, and die at higher rates for nine of the Top Ten causes of death. Men are the majority of workplace injuries, less likely to be insured, and far less likely to see a doctor for preventive care. All of this impacts their ability to be an involved father, supportive husband, and engaged member of their community.

“This year continues to be a pivotal one for men’s health—new guidance on prostate cancer screenings and the declining mortality rates for large groups of men means awareness and education is paramount,” says Ana Fadich, Vice President at Men’s Health Network.

More information is at our health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. Click on the above LOCATIONS tab to find the one nearest you. 

June is also National Men’s Health Week (NMHW), passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. It starts Monday, June 10, and ends on Father’s Day, June 16, 2019. Additional support comes from governors and mayors who issue proclamations for Men’s Health Week in their jurisdictions. You can find the proclamations here: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/week/proclamation.html You can also find more information on a variety of health issues at the Men’s Health Resource Center: www.MensHealthResourceCenter.com and health profiles of men and boys in each state can be found at www.stateofmenshealth.com