RECENT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN GILMER, MURRAY AND WHITFIELD COUNTIES WILL DELAY OPENING TO 9:30 AM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2013, DUE TO POSSIBLE ICY ROAD CONDITIONS.
FANNIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL DELAY OPENING UNTIL 10 AM.
ANY FURTHER DELAYED OPENINGS AND/OR CLOSURES WITHIN THE NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT WILL BE FORWARDED WHEN THE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. UPDATES WILL ALSO BE POSTED AT WWW.NGHD.ORG.
NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT THESE OFFICES WILL 
CLOSE AT 2 PM TODAY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER:
- MURRAY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMTENT, CHATSWORTH, GA
- WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DALTON, GA
- NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT OFFICE, DALTON, GA
FURTHER UPDATES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT.
Per the following press release, the Georgia Department of Public Health announced that flu in Georgia has reached epidemic levels. The best protection against the flu is a flu shot, and flu vaccine is still available at North Georgia Health District health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. We urge residents who have not yet received a flu shot to do so immediately and to follow the other guidelines below to prevent getting flu and spreading the flu virus:
ATLANTA - The state of Georgia is now in the midst of a flu epidemic. The flu is hitting Georgia harder this year than it has in nearly a decade. Flu activity is widespread throughout the state and the number of flu related hospitalizations is high. So far, two adult, flu-related deaths have been reported in Georgia.
"We are seeing some decrease in flu activity, but we are still at epidemic level and the flu is unpredictable," says Patrick O’Neal, M.D., director of the Division of Health Protection, Georgia Department of Public Health. "We are getting reports of more severe flu effects in neighboring states, including the number of deaths. Peak flu season typically does not happen until late January or early February so we may not have seen the worst yet." The most recent flu report may also be affected by doctors’ offices being closed for the holidays and people travelling.
Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary person to person. If you think you have the flu, call or visit your doctor. They will advise you on the best course of treatment.
It is important to take preventative measures now to minimize the effects of the flu and stay healthy. It is not too late to get a flu shot! The single most effective way to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine and there is plenty of vaccine available statewide. Every healthy individual over the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccin
e. The predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is H3N2. This year’s vaccine is a close match making it effective in preventing the flu or minimizing its symptoms and duration.
ATLANTA - The state of Georgia is now in the midst of a flu epidemic. The flu is hitting Georgia harder this year than it has in nearly a decade. Flu activity is widespread throughout the state and the number of flu related hospitalizations is high. So far, two adult, flu-related deaths have been reported in Georgia.
"We are seeing some decrease in flu activity, but we are still at epidemic level and the flu is unpredictable," says Patrick O’Neal, M.D., director of the Division of Health Protection, Georgia Department of Public Health. "We are getting reports of more severe flu effects in neighboring states, including the number of deaths. Peak flu season typically does not happen until late January or early February so we may not have seen the worst yet." The most recent flu report may also be affected by doctors’ offices being closed for the holidays and people travelling.
Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary person to person. If you think you have the flu, call or visit your doctor. They will advise you on the best course of treatment.
It is important to take preventative measures now to minimize the effects of the flu and stay healthy. It is not too late to get a flu shot! The single most effective way to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine and there is plenty of vaccine available statewide. Every healthy individual over the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccin
e. The predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is H3N2. This year’s vaccine is a close match making it effective in preventing the flu or minimizing its symptoms and duration. 
Morganton (GA) – A llama at a residence on Elrod Road in Morganton, Georgia tested positive for rabies after biting and spitting at people. Four people were in contact with the unvaccinated llama while it was symptomatic and shedding the rabies virus; therefore, Fannin County Environmental Health officials recommended that they all immediately seek medical advice from their healthcare providers and consult with the Georgia Poison Control Center regarding the extent of their exposure.
Shannon Bradburn, Environmental Health Specialist, received a call from Ocoee Animal Hospital in Blue Ridge on January 4 stating that a llama specimen, which had been sent by a local veterinarian to Athens Diagnostic Laboratory and then to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Albany Regional Laboratory, was confirmed positive for the rabies virus.
Bradburn said the veterinarian had been called to the property on Elrod Road on December 28 because the animal had exhibited signs of aggression, including loss of motor skills, biting itself, biting at people and spitting at one of its caretakers. Consequently, the veterinarian euthanized the llama and collected the specimen for the rabies testing that was later performed by the labs.
Dalton (GA) - The holiday season is a time when many of us set goals for the New Year. Along with the usual resolutions to lose weight, get healthy and spend more time with family, the North Georgia Health District’s Emergency Preparedness Department urges residents to make emergency preparedness a top priority for 2013.
By taking a few simple steps now, you and your family can be prepared for emergencies
that could occur in the upcoming year.
Resolve to Be Ready in 2013
Be informed. Before disaster strikes, be informed of the hazards that could occur in your community and how to respond appropriately. During an emergency, stay informed – have a battery-powered weather radio on hand, and, when possible, listen to your local media. For information on staying informed, visit: www.ready.ga.gov/Stay-Informed.
Make a plan. You and your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance. Develop a plan on how each family member will get to a safe place, will contact one another, will get back together and will appropriately react to different types of emergencies. Cell phones can be lifelines after a disaster – be sure you have a solar-powered cell phone charger for each phone. A family emergency plan template can be found at: www.ready.ga.gov/Plan.
Cartoon by Raymond King, District Director of Environmental Health Dalton (GA) – As you lovingly serve roasted turkey, baked ham, delicious casseroles and decadent desserts to family and friends this holiday season, don’t let food-borne illness be one of your secret ingredients.Festive times are for giving and sharing, but that should never include sharing food-borne illness. Here are some tips from the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854) to help you have SAFE holiday festivities.
Safely handle food. Always wash your hands before and after handling food – especially raw meat and poultry – and keep your kitchen, dishes and utensils clean, as well.
Cook thoroughly. Be sure to cook food thoroughly to safe minimum internal temperatures. To learn more about safe temperatures for various foods, log onto www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/How_Temperatures_Affect_Food/index.asp.
Use shallow containers. Divide cooked foods into shallow containers to store in the refrigerator or freezer until serving. This encourages rapid, even cooling. Reheat hot foods to 165 °F.
Follow the two-hour rule. Foods should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Discard anything that has been sitting out for two hours or more.
Keep hot foods HOT and cold foods COLD. Hot foods should be held at 140 °F or warmer and cold foods should be held at 40 °F or colder.
Woodstock (GA) ~ A Woodstock man is being treated for rabies exposure after a stray cat bit him. The cat has now tested positive for rabies.
According to Cherokee County Environmental Health officials, the man was attacked on December 1 as he responded to sounds of cats fighting outside his home in a neighborhood near the intersection of Hickory Flat Highway and Creek Hollow Drive. A white and gray cat he had often fed was there and it started rubbing against his legs. However, the cat suddenly became aggressive and bit him. The cat ran away, but when it returned, the man shot it.
Rabid cat
(Stock photo, only - not the cat in this story)
The incident was reported to environmental health on December 6 and the cat was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory that same day. The lab reported the positive test results for rabies on December 10.
The Woodstock man who was bitten began post rabies exposure treatment immediately after the incident. Treatment for post rabies exposure consists of one shot of rabies immune globulin and four shots of rabies vaccine administered over a two-week period.
Rabies is almost always deadly in humans who contract it and do not receive treatment. People must recognize the exposure and promptly get appropriate medical treatment before developing rabies symptoms.
According to Cherokee County Environmental Health officials, the man was attacked on December 1 as he responded to sounds of cats fighting outside his home in a neighborhood near the intersection of Hickory Flat Highway and Creek Hollow Drive. A white and gray cat he had often fed was there and it started rubbing against his legs. However, the cat suddenly became aggressive and bit him. The cat ran away, but when it returned, the man shot it.
Rabid cat(Stock photo, only - not the cat in this story)
The incident was reported to environmental health on December 6 and the cat was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory that same day. The lab reported the positive test results for rabies on December 10.
The Woodstock man who was bitten began post rabies exposure treatment immediately after the incident. Treatment for post rabies exposure consists of one shot of rabies immune globulin and four shots of rabies vaccine administered over a two-week period.
Rabies is almost always deadly in humans who contract it and do not receive treatment. People must recognize the exposure and promptly get appropriate medical treatment before developing rabies symptoms.
*UPDATE, 12/13/12: IT HAS NOW BEEN DECIDED THAT ONLY ONE OF THE THREE DOGS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE WILL BE EUTHANIZED. THE OTHER TWO DOGS WILL BE QUARANTINED FOR 6 MONTHS.
Rabies VirusBlue Ridge (GA) - Fannin County Environmental Health officials announced today that three Morganton dogs were exposed to a raccoon, which has now been confirmed as positive for rabies. The dogs' owner may have been exposed, as well.
Environmental Health Specialist Shannon Bradburn said a local veterinary office called him on December 10 to report they were treating three dogs for wounds received the day before in a fight with a raccoon at a residence on Old Dial Road in Morganton. The veterinary office advised that none of the dogs were current on their rabies vaccinations.
The dogs' owner had intervened in the fight by killing the raccoon, and in the process, the man received a cut to his hand.
Bradburn immediately arranged for the raccoon to be picked up and shipped to the state lab and was notified on December 11 that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
*Consequently, the decision was made to have the three unvaccinated dogs euthanized and their owner has begun post rabies exposure treatment.
Additionally, Fannin County Environmental Health staff are canvassing the area near the Old Dial Road residence and are handing out pamphlets regarding actions to take in case of potential rabies exposure.
Rabies that goes untreated is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.
According to Raymond King, Director of Environmental Health for the North Georgia Health District, "Even the most trivial bite or scratch from a rabies-infected animal can transmit the rabies virus and warrants post exposure treatment; therefore, if you think it's even possible that exposure to a rabid animal has occurred to you or your pet, call your healthcare provider or veterinarian immediately."
Rabies VirusBlue Ridge (GA) - Fannin County Environmental Health officials announced today that three Morganton dogs were exposed to a raccoon, which has now been confirmed as positive for rabies. The dogs' owner may have been exposed, as well.Environmental Health Specialist Shannon Bradburn said a local veterinary office called him on December 10 to report they were treating three dogs for wounds received the day before in a fight with a raccoon at a residence on Old Dial Road in Morganton. The veterinary office advised that none of the dogs were current on their rabies vaccinations.
The dogs' owner had intervened in the fight by killing the raccoon, and in the process, the man received a cut to his hand.
Bradburn immediately arranged for the raccoon to be picked up and shipped to the state lab and was notified on December 11 that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
*Consequently, the decision was made to have the three unvaccinated dogs euthanized and their owner has begun post rabies exposure treatment.
Additionally, Fannin County Environmental Health staff are canvassing the area near the Old Dial Road residence and are handing out pamphlets regarding actions to take in case of potential rabies exposure.
Rabies that goes untreated is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.
According to Raymond King, Director of Environmental Health for the North Georgia Health District, "Even the most trivial bite or scratch from a rabies-infected animal can transmit the rabies virus and warrants post exposure treatment; therefore, if you think it's even possible that exposure to a rabid animal has occurred to you or your pet, call your healthcare provider or veterinarian immediately."
Dalton (GA) -The holiday season is here, and as long as flu viruses are spreading and 
Don't exchange the flu during the holidays!
causing illness, you want to make sure it's not the flu you're exchanging with loved ones and friends for the holidays.
It's not too late to arm against the flu, and a flu shot can help provide protection.
According to the latest CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are currently increasing across the country. And since flu activity doesn't usually peak until February in the United States and can last as late as May, it is important for anyone who has not been vaccinated to get a shot now.
Flu vaccine is available at all county health departments in the North Georgia Health District, including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. For office hours, call the health department nearest you (phone numbers are listed below) or log onto the North Georgia Health District website at www.nghd.org and click on the 'Locations' tab.
In addition to protecting yourself against the flu by getting vaccinated, the Georgia Department of Public Health urges you to also wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose with your hands, and cover your coughs and/or sneezes with a tissue or cough into your sleeve, not your hands.
If you do get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, reduce fever with a non-aspirin pain reliever, and stay home to avoid spreading the flu to others.
For more flu information, log onto http://health.state.ga.us/epi/flu/whatyouknow.asp.
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North Georgia Health District County Health Departments:
Cherokee: Canton (770) 345-7371 / Woodstock (770) 928-0133
Fannin (706) 632-3023 Gilmer (706) 635-4363 Murray (706) 695-4585
Pickens (706) 253-2821 Whitfield (706) 279-9600
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Don't exchange the flu during the holidays!causing illness, you want to make sure it's not the flu you're exchanging with loved ones and friends for the holidays.
It's not too late to arm against the flu, and a flu shot can help provide protection.
According to the latest CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are currently increasing across the country. And since flu activity doesn't usually peak until February in the United States and can last as late as May, it is important for anyone who has not been vaccinated to get a shot now.
Flu vaccine is available at all county health departments in the North Georgia Health District, including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. For office hours, call the health department nearest you (phone numbers are listed below) or log onto the North Georgia Health District website at www.nghd.org and click on the 'Locations' tab.
In addition to protecting yourself against the flu by getting vaccinated, the Georgia Department of Public Health urges you to also wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose with your hands, and cover your coughs and/or sneezes with a tissue or cough into your sleeve, not your hands.
If you do get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, reduce fever with a non-aspirin pain reliever, and stay home to avoid spreading the flu to others.
For more flu information, log onto http://health.state.ga.us/epi/flu/whatyouknow.asp.
___________
North Georgia Health District County Health Departments:
Cherokee: Canton (770) 345-7371 / Woodstock (770) 928-0133
Fannin (706) 632-3023 Gilmer (706) 635-4363 Murray (706) 695-4585
Pickens (706) 253-2821 Whitfield (706) 279-9600
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