For all persons involved in floodwater clean-up efforts, public health officials recommend that you make sure you are current on your Tetanus vaccine, which is contained in the Tdap shot (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).

Tetanus is a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the muscles and nerves. It enters the body through breaks in the skin, such as cuts and puncture wounds. It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus can be fatal.

A Tetanus shot is recommended every 10 years. Protection against tetanus is especially needed if you have worked or are working in flooded areas.

Please be sure to check your immunization history prior to asking for the vaccine, as you may already be protected. You may check with your medical provider, county public health department, workplace employee health service, etc.

For children under age 19, contact your child’s pediatrician.

Pregnant women can be protected against tetanus but should consult with their prenatal healthcare provider prior to receiving the vaccine.

Tetanus vaccine should not be administered to people who have had a severe reaction to the vaccine. This is very rare, and if you are not protected, working on this clean-up effort should be done with caution. The vaccine information sheet (VIS) provides complete information about the vaccine and is available when you get the vaccine.

For more information on tetanus and the Tdap vaccination, log onto CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/ or contact your local public health department.

Now that the recent flood waters in our area have receded and the most immediate safety hazards have passed, it’s time to address the secondary health issues that can develop as the result of floodwater pollutants.

Be sure to protect your home, family and business by following these easy guidelines from Gilmer County Environmental Health.

CONTACT WITH FLOOD WATERS - Swimming and similar recreational water activities are not advised at this time. Flood waters contain large amounts of contaminants of all kinds. Many thousands of dead chickens have been washed into the streams and rivers. These fast flood waters will carry these contaminants downstream quickly but for now do not have contact with flood waters. Fishing and other non-contact activities are not affected by this advisory.

SANITIZING FLOODED AREAS – Floors, walls, equipment and furniture that have been covered with flood waters should be cleaned and sanitized to kill any disease bacteria or viruses. Flood waters usually have sewage from over-running sewers and septic systems, manure and other contaminants. Wear gloves, eye protection and boots when working with contaminated areas and items. An easy sanitizing solution is made from a quarter cup of household bleach and one gallon of water. Items should be cleaned with soap and water, rinsed and then sanitized with the bleach solution. This will kill any disease germs and help prevent mold. Do not mix bleach with any ammonia product and work in well-ventilated areas.

Public health officials are cautioning against swimming and other recreational water activities in Gilmer County’s Coosawattee, Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers and their tributaries.  Flooding washed large amounts of manure, sewage and thousands of dead chickens into these waters.  Fast flood waters will wash these contaminants downstream very quickly, but for now avoid activities that would put you into direct contact with these waters.  Fishing and non-contact activities are not affected by this advisory. 

Wells and springs that were covered by flood waters, even temporarily, should be considered contaminated and not used for drinking.  Contact the Gilmer County Environmental Health Office for directions in disinfecting and testing your well water.

Mold will grow in almost any home materials that were flooded.  Remove all wet materials such as sheetrock and allow wood studs to dry completely before replacing. 

Throw out any foods that were touched by flood waters.  It is not worth the risk.

Treat temporary pools left by flood waters for mosquito larvae using Mosquito Dunks available at any home supply or hardware store.

Click here for more details on our website on how to Prevent Potential Health Problems from Recent Flooding or go to Emergency Preparedness and Response information for Flood Water After A Disaster or Emergency from the CDC. 

24 July 2013
Portable Sanitation Contractors
Revision to Regulation Chapters 290-5-59

THE WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 800 PROFESSIONAL BOULEVARD IN DALTON WILL CLOSE EARLY FOR MAJOR AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7:30 A.M. UNTIL NOON. NORMAL OPERATING HOURS AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME ON MONDAY, AUGUST 5.

Dalton (GA) - The Whitfield County Health Department is encouraging parents to get vaccines and health screenings needed for their children this month to beat the back-to-school rush! These services are offered on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary, at the Whitfield County Health Department.

Children enrolling in any Georgia school, Pre-K, Kindergarten, or Child Care program must present a Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231). In addition, children enrolling in Pre-K, Kindergarten and any Georgia school must present Form 3300 (Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Exam).

The health department’s Children’s Clinic Supervisor Angie Callaway, RN, BSN, stated, “The vaccine requirements differ depending on the age of the child. It is very important to check now to determine if your child needs vaccines and/or a certificate for school or child care entry.”

For example, children under five (5) who attend child care facilities (including Pre-K) must have two (2) doses of Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity. All children entering sixth grade must have two doses of Measles vaccine, two doses of Mumps vaccine, and one dose of Rubella vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps and Rubella and have two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or provider diagnosed documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.

Contact the Whitfield County Health Department at 706-226-2621 or your health care provider to obtain needed vaccinations, health screenings and required certificates.

Click poster to enlargePrepare your child for the upcoming school year! The Cherokee County Health Department will conduct a Back To School Health Clinic from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30 at both public health centers in Canton and Woodstock. Hearing, Dental and Vision Screenings will be offered for $30.00, and Immunizations will be provided for School-age Children (there is a charge for vaccines). Medicaid is accepted. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services will have a Fire Engine and Booster Seat Distribution Booth at both locations! The Canton public health center is located at 1219 Univeter Road, and the Woodstock public health center is at 7545 N.   Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton, or call (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.

  click poster to enlarge/DownloadGet your child’s car seat checked for FREE at the Murray County Health Department ON TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013 FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. THE MURRAY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT is located at 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road in Chatsworth.

Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to check child car seats and child restraint installations to make sure they are properly installed.

Buckling up your child the right   way for every ride is the most important thing you can do to keep your child safe in the car, so join us for this free child car seat check event!

Call for more information at (706) 695-4585 or log onto www.safekidsgeorgia.org.

Ellijay (GA) – On June 24, a dog at a Gilmer County farm on Anderson Creek Road, located off Roy Road, fought with a raccoon that has now tested positive for rabies.

The dog was treated for multiple wounds to the face and head sustained during the fight, and the owner was referred to a physician to be evaluated for treatment because he had touched the dog’s wounds where saliva from the raccoon may have been present.

According to Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager Andrea Martin, the dog’s owner had been unable to break up the fight between the animals, so he shot the raccoon and took it to the VCA Appalachian Animal Hospital in East Ellijay. VCA prepared the raccoon for rabies testing and Martin shipped the specimen to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory on June 25. The lab reported the positive results for rabies on June 26.

Martin was pleased to announce that the dog was current on its rabies vaccination, which alleviates concerns about rabies infection in the animal.

“Since the dog's vaccination was current, the only recommendation we had to give was a booster shot and a 45-day observation period,” said Martin. “This is a much better outcome than when we’ve had to recommend either euthanasia or a strict, costly six-month quarantine because a rabies-exposed pet was not vaccinated.”
Stock photo

It is vital that rabies vaccinations are regularly maintained in pets, not only for the safety of pets, but also for the protection of people who may handle them. Health officials recommend that pets receive the first rabies vaccination at 3-months old then another shot one year later. In subsequent years, owners have the option to provide pets with one-year or three-year rabies shots.

For more information about rabies, please contact Gilmer County Environmental Health at (706) 635-6050 or log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov.

June is Men’s Health Month and we are reminded of the importance of properly educating men and boys about what they can do to be proactive about their health.

The statistics are troubling. At birth, males outnumber females 105:100. By age 65-74, the ratio shifts to 80:100. Even worse, men often experience a lower quality of life than women.

Some other staggering statistics:

● 1/6 of American men will get prostate cancer.

● 50% of men will develop cancer in their lifetime.

● Testicular cancer is most common in men ages 15-35. It is 100% curable when caught and treated early.

There are, however, simple steps men and boys can take to significantly improve their health. Things like exercising moderately for 30 minutes, five days a week, drinking eight glasses of water every day, and eating a varied diet that includes a lot of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

The infographic below highlights some of the most important facts related to this issue, with actionable steps that should be taken to address this challenge (resource http://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/).