RECENT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cherokee County Environmental Health Officials announced today that they recently received confirmation of rabies in both a raccoon and a fox. Additionally, a local woman is being treated for possible rabies exposure.
Glendon Gordy of county environmental health said the incident involving the raccoon occurred on May 31 when the animal entered a residential yard on Cherrydale Lane in Woodstock and attacked two puppies.
Glendon Gordy of county environmental health said the incident involving the raccoon occurred on May 31 when the animal entered a residential yard on Cherrydale Lane in Woodstock and attacked two puppies.
A raccoon that attacked two dogs last week at a Fannin County residence located off Skeenah Gap Road has now tested positive for rabies, according to Monica Hodskins of the Fannin County Environmental Health Department.
Ms Hodskins said, “The dogs killed the raccoon during the attack on May 13, and the raccoon head was sent to the state lab that same afternoon for testing. We received the positive rabies results late in the day last Friday, May 15.”
Ms Hodskins said, “The dogs killed the raccoon during the attack on May 13, and the raccoon head was sent to the state lab that same afternoon for testing. We received the positive rabies results late in the day last Friday, May 15.”
Roberts Ridge area residents urged to be on look out for stray dog
Gilmer County Environmental Health officials announced today that a fox, which attacked a man at his Roberts Ridge Road home on May 8, has now tested positive for rabies. “The man was attacked by the fox after he had seen it in his yard earlier that day,” according to Andrea Wheeler, Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager. “He was able to kill the fox during the attack, but the man did suffer some wounds to his hands and arms for which he was immediately treated at the hospital. The fox was shipped off to the state lab for testing on May 12, and the positive rabies results were delivered on May 13.”
Jan Stephens of the Pickens County Environmental Health Department has reported the first case of confirmed rabies in Pickens County this year.
"A fox came out of the woods off Old Jones Mountain Road in Talking Rock last Thursday [May 7] morning at about 9:30 and tried to attack two small dogs in the presence of their owner," Ms. Stephens said. "The dogs killed the fox and the owner reported the incident right away. We immediately shipped off the fox's head to the state lab for rabies testing and received the positive results late on Friday. Fortunately, both dogs involved were current on their rabies vaccinations."Since the dogs were up to date on their shots, they pose no threat to the public and will only need a booster rabies vaccination.
"A fox came out of the woods off Old Jones Mountain Road in Talking Rock last Thursday [May 7] morning at about 9:30 and tried to attack two small dogs in the presence of their owner," Ms. Stephens said. "The dogs killed the fox and the owner reported the incident right away. We immediately shipped off the fox's head to the state lab for rabies testing and received the positive results late on Friday. Fortunately, both dogs involved were current on their rabies vaccinations."Since the dogs were up to date on their shots, they pose no threat to the public and will only need a booster rabies vaccination.
What is a Stroke?
- A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel.
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States
- On average someone suffers a stroke every 53 seconds
- About 600,000 Americans suffer strokes each year
- Every 3.3 minutes, someone dies of a stroke
- Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability
- About 4 million Americans are stroke survivors
- Stroke costs the U.S. $30 to $40 billion a year
Related Links:
National Stroke Association
American Stroke Association
American Stroke Association - Power to End Stroke
Six Ways to STOP Stroke Through Risk Factor Management
Symptoms of H1N1 flu
The health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties will provide the vaccine at no charge. However, an administrative fee may be charged through Medicare, Medicaid, and all third party insurance including State Health Benefit plans for United Healthcare and Cigna. Persons are asked to bring their insurance cards with them at the time of service.
Service is based on a first-come, first-served basis until the current vaccine supply is depleted. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect you from the seasonal flu. People should get both kinds of flu vaccine to protect themselves from getting sick. You cannot get the flu by taking this vaccine.
However, the nasal spray (live, attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV) sometimes produces mild side effects. The most common side effects are runny nose, wheezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, and fever. These are rare and less severe than any problems created by actually having the flu.
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The nasal spray also should not be given to the following:
- Children that are younger than 2 years old,
- Children and adults with asthma or recurrent wheezing problems,
- Children receiving treatments containing aspirin or steroids,
- Children and adults with sensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine,
- Children and adults who have a muscle, nerve, or seizure disorder that could lead to breathing or swallowing problems,
- Children and adults who have a weakened immune system or any other chronic conditions.
- Persons who have received an injectable live virus vaccine (e.g., MMR, varicella) in the past 4 weeks – they should wait 28 days before receiving live nasal spray vaccine, and
- Live nasal spray vaccine for seasonal flu and live nasal spray vaccine for 2009 H1N1 flu should be separated by a minimum of four weeks.
Georgia H1N1 Vaccine Provider Locator now available
Novel H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Facts and Recommendations (English & Spanish)
Seasonal Flu Shots are still available at local health departments for $20.
Contact numbers and regular hours of operation for local health departments are:
Cherokee County Health Department
Canton Office - 770-345-7371
Woodstock Office - 770-928-0133
Clinic Hours:
click image to view flyer
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Fannin County Health Department
706-632-3023
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm
Gilmer County Health Department
706-635-4363
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Murray County Health Department
706-695-4585
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Pickens County Health Departments
706-253-2821
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm
Whitfield County Health Department
706-279-9600
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
The Murray County Health Department is pleased to present:THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
FREEDOM FROM SMOKING ® STOP SMOKING CLINIC
Location: Murray County Health Department
More information to come... ...
Prevention best “cure” for many health problems
Dalton (GA) April 6, 2009 —Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – and the best cure for many of the most prevalent health problems in the United States is to prevent them in the first place through healthy lifestyle choices.
FDA Alerts Consumers to Recall of Certain Pistachios
FDA and California
(updates @ http://www.fda.gov/pistachios/)
The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif.