Cherokee County Environmental Health officials announced today that the fourth raccoon in Cherokee County since May has tested positive for rabies, and an unvaccinated horse must undergo a six-month quarantine.

Environmental Health Specialist Glendon Gordy stated that on Saturday, July 23, a raccoon was found with a horse in the horse's stall at a residence on North Lake Drive in Canton. The raccoon was alive but not moving, and the resident's son shot it.

North Georgia Health District officials announced today that public health departments in Gilmer, Murray and Pickens Counties will be closed on certain days each month as part of planned furlough days when the agencies close and staff take leave without pay. The furlough days are due to budget shortfalls.

The first of these health department furlough days will take place in Murray County on Wednesday, July 27.

2011 Furlough Dates include:

Gilmer County Health Department

-Monday, August 22
-Monday, September 12
-Monday, September 26
-Monday, October 3
-Monday, October 24
-Monday, November 14
-Monday, November 28
-Monday, December 12
-Monday, December 19

*The Gilmer County WIC clinic WILL be OPEN on each of these dates

Murray County Health Department

-Wednesday, July 27
-Wednesday, August 24
-Wednesday, September 28
-Wednesday, October 26
-Wednesday, November 23
-Wednesday, December 28

Pickens County Health Department

-Monday, August 22
-Monday, September 12
-Monday, September 26
-Monday. October 3
-Monday, October 24
-Monday, November 14
-Monday, November 28
-Monday, December 12
-Monday, December 19

Health department furlough days in these counties are necessary to minimize the impact of declining funding and increased healthcare costs.

Cherokee County Environmental Health officials reported that a second raccoon this year has tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with dogs. Unfortunately, unlike the first incident, these dogs were not protected against the disease.

With temperatures already soaring into the 90s – much earlier than normal – the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is urging Georgians to exercise caution. Every year, thousands of Americans are hospitalized from heat-related illnesses. The elderly and those working in excessive heat are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat exhaustion and heat illness.

“We’re sounding the alarm early,” said Division of Public Health (DPH) Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., noting that temperatures are generally 10 degrees higher than normal for this first week of June. “I’m asking everyone to ensure their own safety and also the safety of their neighbors and loved ones.”

It’s important to take the proper steps to avoid common summer-related injuries and illnesses.

• Do not leave children in hot cars. Even with outside temperatures in the low to mid-70s, a car’s inside temperature can jump as much as 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. Last year, a record 49 children nationwide died from heatstroke after being left in cars, including three children in Georgia.
• Avoid sun exposure. Melanoma is the third most common skin cancer. Every year, an estimated 1,709 new melanoma cases are diagnosed in Georgia. Wear light, loose fitting clothing and use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15. Avoid the outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. Infants and children are especially susceptible to sunburn.
• Stay hydrated. Drink more fluids than unusual if you’re outside in hot weather for prolonged periods of time or doing vigorous physical activity. Avoid alcoholic beverages or those containing caffeine as they cause dehydration.
• Check on the elderly. Check on elderly neighbors and relatives often to watch for signs of heat-related stress. The elderly population and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer from extreme and prolonged exposure to heat.
• Locate the coolest room in your home. Finding a place to cool down, at least temporarily, can provide some relief and allow a person’s body to recover from higher temperatures.
• Bathe to cool down. Taking a cold shower or bath can reduce body temperature.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of Heatstroke:
• An extremely high body temperature
• Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

Learn to recognize the symptoms of Heat Exhaustion:
• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting


What to do if you or someone near you exhibits these symptoms:

• Help victim cool off and seek medical attention if condition worsens or lasts for more than 1 hour.
• Get out of the sun.
• Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.
• Drink cool, non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages.

About the Georgia Department of Community Health

DCH was created in 1999 to serve as the lead agency for health care planning and purchasing issues in Georgia. DCH is designated as the single state agency for Medicaid and the State Health Benefit Plan, the health insurance program for Georgia’s teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents. In 2009, Healthcare Facility Regulation was created at DCH from sections transferred from the former Department of Human Resources, Office of Regulatory Services. At that same time, the Division of Public Health and the Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response transitioned to the Department. To learn more about DCH, visit www.dch.georgia.gov.

From United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness.

Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.

May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and even as the month ends, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health partners continue to emphasize the importance of viral hepatitis prevention.

The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver, and it is most often caused by a virus. In the US, the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications and certain medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.

Click to View Flyer

3 in 10 Girls in the US get pregnant at least once before age 20.  - STAYteen.org

Join us for a Watch Party May 4, 2011! 

Teens, Pre-Teens, and Parents:  view MTV's '16 and Pregnant'

Time:  4:30pm - 5:30pm

Location: Dalton Parks & Recreation Center

Presented by North Georgia Health District Teen Health Program

For more information view the flyer or call 706-281-2327

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2011

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location:  Boys & Girls Club of Dalton

for Teens ages 13 and up and their parents

For more Information view the flyer or call 706-281-2327

Presented by North Georgia Health District Teen Health Program and Vision of Hope

The North Georgia Health District joins the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) in reminding residents of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties that National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 23 - 30, 2011. NIIW emphasizes the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Parents and caregivers will have a chance to become better educated on the importance of vaccination and protecting their newborns against diseases during NIIW.

“Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, and it is critical that we as caregivers and parents make sure they receive their immunizations,” says Dr. Anil T. Mangla, Program Director of Infectious Disease and Immunization, Georgia Department of Community Health.


Each day, approximately 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized before age 2 against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Some of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases are pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and chicken pox.

Take proper precaution and immunize your child. Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and discuss an immunization schedule with your infant’s pediatrician. Protect, love and immunize your child.

For more information on immunization, contact your local health department (phone numbers for the North Georgia Health District county health departments are listed below) or visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.

Approximately 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the United States – and almost half of these are among young people aged 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) pose a serious public health threat to Americans – particularly young women, African Americans, men who have sex with men (MSM), and individuals who live in poverty or have limited access to healthcare. STDs cost the United States’ health care system as much as $17 billion annually.

STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are major causes of infertility among women. These and other common STDs can increase the risk of HIV transmission for both women and men.

There are many effective ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs. STD screening and early diagnoses are vital to prevent serious health consequences and increased transmission.