NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT

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  • NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

    NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gilmer County Health Department Receives Prestigious Immunization Award

Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Category: Press Room

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Ellijay, GA —The Gilmer County Health Department was recently awarded the Walt Orenstein Champions for Immunization Award, recognizing their exceptional efforts in 2023 to protect the public against vaccine-preventable diseases.

This award, named after Walt Orenstein, a highly esteemed professor of medicine and associate director of the vaccine center at Emory University, honors those who exemplify standards for child, adolescent, and adult immunization practices, which are a national strategy to protect the public against vaccine-preventable diseases and provide guidelines and resources for immunization providers.

The award was presented to the Gilmer County Health Department and one other health department at the recent Immunize Georgia Conference held in Atlanta by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The conference aims to educate healthcare providers on the latest recommendations and best practices in immunization services and to give public health immunization champions special recognition for their leadership and influence in immunizing Georgians.

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Sick Raccoons Reported in Gilmer County

Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Category: Press Room

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Residents Reminded: Guard Against Any Potentially Rabid Wildlife

 
Ellijay, GA - The Gilmer County Environmental Health office has received reports this week of sick raccoons in the Blackberry Mountain subdivision area on the east side of Gilmer County. Residents are reminded to guard against any potentially rabid wildlife.
 
The rabies virus can be present in almost all wild mammals, including but not exclusive to foxes, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, wild dogs, feral cats, and bats.
 
Rabies symptoms in an animal can include but are not limited to unsteady or 'wobbly' behavior, circling or pacing movements, paralysis, dragging back legs, excessive drooling, aggression, lethargy, etc.
 
We caution the public not to approach or attempt to rescue any wildlife. Touching wildlife could injure you, putting you at risk of contracting the rabies virus. Should an incident occur resulting in you or your pet having direct contact with a wild animal (i.e., a bite, scratch, etc.), please notify the Gilmer County Environmental Health office at (706) 635-6050.
 
If the animal that potentially exposed you or your pet to the rabies virus is available for testing, local environmental health officials will arrange to obtain the animal from you.
 
Under any circumstance in which a potentially rabies-infected animal injures you, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated in time.
 
For more information about rabies, please refer to 'Rabies - Frequently Asked Questions' on the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/rabies.
 
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Our Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, March-April 2024 Issue

Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Category: Press Room

Our Emergency Preparedness Department's March-April 2024 issue of the North Georgia Health District Newsletter: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS has been released!

In this issue, find tips for staying safe from the severe weather that often occurs each spring in North Georgia. See the latest regional North Georgia Healthcare Coalition updates. Check out the upcoming outreach events involving our Community Overdose Response Program. And don't miss our Emergency Preparedness Team's "Shout-Out" to an extremely supportive member of our district staff. PLUS, challenge yourself with our WordSearch by finding words and word phrases that relate to severe weather preparedness and response.

Enjoy the full issue by clicking the image below or by going to nghd.org/images/EmPrepNews_Mar-Apr2024.pdf.

This newsletter is currently issued every other month and highlights our health district’s Emergency Preparedness Department's efforts, along with state and local partners, to help prepare our communities for disaster. To see all issues of our Emergency Preparedness newsletter, please click HERE. 

NGHD Emergency Preparedness Newsletter Thumbnail and Social Media Post Jan 2024

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Tips for Staying Safe During Severe Weather this Spring!

Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Category: Press Room

MarchWx

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The old saying goes, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”, but when it comes to spring weather in North Georgia, it can be as erratic and unpredictable as a wild hog. As we welcome the arrival of spring in our area, we also need to be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.

We joined the National Weather Service this past February 5-9 in marking Georgia Severe Weather Preparedness Week to emphasize the importance of proactive planning for adverse weather conditions. This is a good time to remind you that to ensure your safety during this time of year, it is crucial to stay informed and ready for the common types of severe weather in our region.

The key to protecting yourself during severe weather threats is to have quick access to information. To set yourself up for success, make sure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather updates.

Remember that tornado sirens are meant to alert those outdoors only. Ensure you can receive weather alerts even when you are indoors. Here are some tips to stay informed while inside:

  • Install a weather radio in your home.
  • Download a weather app on your mobile device and enable notifications.
  • Sign up for your county’s alert notification system to receive timely emergency announcements, including weather warnings.

Severe weather can bring about dangerous conditions such as strong winds, hail, lightning, flooding, and tornadoes. If you encounter severe weather while driving, seek shelter immediately and avoid driving through flooded areas. The safest place to be during severe weather is indoors.

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  1. Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week
  2. CELEBRATING IBCLC DAY ON MARCH 6TH!
  3. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
  4. Cherokee County Sexual Health Survey
  5. Introducing our District E-Newsletter: EPI News!
  6. Georgia Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Feb 5 - 9
  7. Cherokee, Gilmer, Pickens, Whitfield County Health Departments Awarded Car Seat Mini-Grant
  8. Our Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Jan 2024 Issue
  9. DPH: Count the Kicks! Free Webinar for Healthcare Providers and Community Partners, Feb. 8th
  10. Weather-related Delayed Openings on Tuesday, Jan. 16

Media Releases

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