- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
Ellijay (GA) – A 7-year old male Boxer in Ellijay fought and killed a raccoon that has since tested positive for rabies. Because the dog was not current on its rabies vaccination, it is now undergoing a
six-month strict quarantine.
There was no human exposure.
Gilmer County Environmental Manager Andrea Martin reported that the fight between the dog and the raccoon occurred on January 16, 2013 at a residence on Raspberry Court off Highway 382 in Ellijay.
The raccoon was tested for rabies at the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory on January 17, and the positive rabies result was reported on January 18.
Health officials urge residents to maintain current rabies vaccinations in their pets, not only for the sake of the pet, but to also protect themselves and their family from rabies.
Rabies that goes untreated is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.
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.
- Hits: 4467
- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
Dalton (GA) – The Whitfield County Health Department was awarded the 2013 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Injury Prevention. Through the Mini-Grant, the Whitfield County Health Department and the Safe Kids Dalton Coalition work together to provide car seats and education to financially eligible families in Whitfield County. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Maternal and Child Health Program fund this grant to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles.
And it works! Since 2007, at least 229 children in Georgia who were involved in crashes were saved from serious injury or death by car seats, booster seats, and education provided through the Mini-Grant. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent among infants and by 54 percent among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars. Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Nearly three out of every four car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.
“It’s our responsibility to keep our children safe,” said Gayle Brannon, manager of the Whitfield County Health Department. “The Car Seat Mini-Grant is a great opportunity to help our community and help protect our kids from serious injuries or death in motor vehicle crashes.”
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- Written by Nancy Nydam, Media Relations Manager, GA Dept of Public Health -- Posted by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
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. - Hits: 4870
- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
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.
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