- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Press Room
Jasper (GA) – A Pickens County dog has been euthanized because it was not vaccinated against rabies and came into contact with a rabies-infected animal.
Jan Stephens of Pickens County Environmental Health reported there was a fight between the dog and a raccoon in the Henderson Mountain Road area of Pickens County on Tuesday, July 1. The raccoon was shot and environmental health sent the head to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for testing. Test results came back the following day that the raccoon was positive for rabies, and since the dog was not vaccinated against rabies, it was euthanized.
The other household animals at the residence were current on their vaccinations so the only requirement for them was a rabies booster shot.
Georgia state law requires that ALL dogs and cats receive rabies shots on a regular basis for the protection of other animals and their owners. An unvaccinated animal that is exposed to a rabid bat or other rabid animal may also become rabid and expose family members and pets to the disease before it is discovered.
Rabies that goes untreated is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.
A vaccinated pet is the best protection for everyone.
Additionally, anytime a person or domestic animal in this area receives an animal bite, it must be reported to Pickens County Environmental Health at (706) 253-0900.
For more information about rabies and rabies protection, log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/features/rabiessafefamily/.
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Is your child ready for the upcoming school year? The Pickens County Health Department will conduct a Back-to-School Bash Health Clinic on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The health department is located at 60 Health Way in Jasper, GA. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and BMI/Nutrition Screenings will be available: Total cost for screenings is forty dollars. Also, immunizations will be provided for school-age children. There is a charge for vaccines. Medicaid is accepted as well as Amerigroup, Peach State, PeachCare and WellCare. Participating community partners will include Georgia State Patrol, Pickens Emergency Medical Services and the Pickens County Fire Department. For more information, please call (706) 253-2821.
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Make sure your child is prepared for the upcoming school year! The Cherokee County Health Department will conduct a Back-to-School Health Clinic on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 from 2 to 6 p.m. at public health centers in both Canton and Woodstock. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and BMI/Nutrition Screenings will be available: Total cost for screenings is forty dollars. Also, immunizations will be provided for school-age children. There is a charge for vaccines. Medicaid is accepted as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, PeachCare, WellCare, Amerigroup, Peach State and Aetna Insurance. The Canton Health Center is located at 1219 Univeter Road in Canton, and the Woodstock Health Center is at 7545 North Main Street in Woodstock. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton or (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.
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- Written by the Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Media Releases
New School Immunization Requirements in Georgia
Let’s face it – nobody likes getting shots. But a shot lasts a second; diseases last much longer.
In an effort to protect every adult and child, the Georgia Department of Public Health established this year – Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, June 23-27 to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Preteens are becoming increasingly social. They go to overnight camps, attend parties and play team sports – they’re beginning to interact with a larger social circle. While these are all fun parts of being a teenager, they could also increase their risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Steven Mitchell, director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Office. “Couple this with the new school immunization requirements and it’s the ideal time to make sure your preteen is up-to-date on their vaccinations and protected for their future.”
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students born on or after January 1, 2002 entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into 8th-12th grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MCV4). This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).
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