Two Unvaccinated Dogs Euthanized

Ellijay (GA) – Gilmer County Environmental Health officials have reported that three local dogs were recently exposed to rabies when they came into contact with infected raccoons in two separate incidents.

The first dog that was exposed was previously vaccinated for rabies, so it only required a booster shot and to be home-quarantined for 12 weeks. However, since there was no proof that the other two dogs had been vaccinated, the owner of those dogs chose to have them euthanized.

There was no human exposure in either incident.

According to Andrea Martin, manager of Gilmer County Environmental Health, the first exposure occurred in the afternoon of March 11 in the Big Creek Road/Scrougetown Road vicinity, when a Labrador retriever attacked and killed a raccoon. The owner of the dog took both the dog and the body of the raccoon to a local veterinarian, who gave the dog a rabies booster shot and reported the incident to Martin.

“The raccoon was shipped for rabies testing to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory on March 14th and the positive results were reported on March 16th,” said Martin. “I notified the owner of the results and it was agreed the dog should receive the booster shot and be quarantined under general home observation for 12 weeks. I will be checking on the dog and its health during this period; plus, I explained to the owner our home observation protocol and the signs and symptoms of rabies, which generally begin with behavior that is simply unusual for that particular animal.”*

The second incident took place in the afternoon of March 13 in the Blackberry Mountain Road area of east Gilmer County.

A raccoon ran into a residential yard where two mix-breed Labrador retrievers fought and killed the animal. The dogs’ owner contacted Gilmer County Environmental Health on March 14, and the raccoon was shipped to the state public health lab later that day. The positive results for rabies were reported on March 16, and the two dogs were euthanized that afternoon.

“It’s heartbreaking when an owner has to make that tough decision,” said Martin. “That is why we constantly urge residents to keep rabies vaccinations current in their pets.”

Additionally, health officials advise residents to be wary of unfamiliar animals, wild or tame, that exhibit unusual behavior and report them to animal control or the county environmental health office.

The public is also urged to report to them any attacks or bites by a stray or wild animal.

If bitten, individuals are advised to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention. If a pet is bitten, the owner should seek veterinary assistance for the animal right away.  The health care provider and/or the veterinarian will need to know the following to assess the risk of rabies exposure:

• The geographic location of the incident
• The type of animal that was involved
• How the exposure occurred (provoked or unprovoked)
• The vaccination status of the animal (if known)
• Whether the animal can be safely captured and tested for rabies

For more information about rabies and its prevention, contact the local county environmental health office. In Gilmer County, the phone number is (706) 635-6050. Information is also available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at *www.cdc.gov/rabies.

North Georgia – Timely Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and diagnostics are being provided to women ages 50 to 64 at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties.

Currently, North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health is offering Clinical Breast Exams, Mammograms and Follow-up Consultations at LOW or NO cost to all women ages 50 to 64 who have limited annual income, limited health insurance or no health insurance.

• Let us help you know your personal risks and risks based on family history.
• Screening includes family health history, self-breast exam, clinical breast exam and mammography.
• Learn how to know your own breasts through periodic self-examination and breast observation.
• Discover how you can make healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise and tobacco cessation.

Learn more at www.nghd.org or call your county health department. (Click on LOCATIONS tab above for health department phone numbers.)

Recognizing National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), the North Georgia Health District will conduct Free Rapid HIV Testing at Dalton State College in the Sequoyah Hall foyer on Tuesday, March 15th from 10 AM to 3 PM. Additional free services will include prevention kits and pre- and post-test counseling.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an annual observance that sheds light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls. Every year on March 10, and throughout the month of March, federal, national, and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by HIV and AIDS. This year marks the 11th observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Today, about one in four people living with HIV in the United States is female. Only about half of women living with HIV are getting care, and only four in 10 of them have the virus under control. Women face unique HIV risks and challenges that can prevent them from getting needed care and treatment. Addressing these issues remains critical to achieving an HIV- and AIDS-free generation.

The 2016 theme is “The Best Defense Is a Good Offense.” Whether you’re actively dating or are in a committed relationship, you can take these simple, effective steps to help prevent HIV infection for you and your partner:

• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Get an HIV test, which is free and confidential.
• Be monogamous.
• Do not abuse alcohol or drugs

For more information about the free HIV testing at Dalton State College, call (706) 281-2360.

Beat the back to school rush at the doctor’s office 

North Georgia – While no one likes getting shots, getting a shot lasts just seconds; diseases last much longer.

In an effort to protect every adult and child, the Georgia Department of Public Health established Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, observed March 13-19, 2016, to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Our preteens are branching out. They go to overnight camps, attend parties and play sports – they are becoming increasingly social. While these are all fun parts of being a teenager, they can also increase their risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Sheila Lovett, director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Program. "Let’s protect our children by vaccinating them when they are most vulnerable to exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.”

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 eighth -12^th grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MenACWY). 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 home schools).

These vaccines are available at county public health departments in the North Georgia Health District. Health department locations and phone numbers are as follows:

Cherokee: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115 - (770) 345-7371 / 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188 - (770) 928-0133

Fannin: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA - (706) 632-3023

Gilmer: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540 - (706) 635-4363

Murray: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 - (706) 695-4585

Pickens: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143 - (706) 253-2821

Whitfield: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720 - (706) 226-2621

Vaccines are the best defense we have against serious, preventable and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and after school activities and decrease the spread of illness at home, school and the community.

Marie Smith, Immunization and Child Health Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, “Immunization is the most effective measure against infection so we are reminding parents to talk with their preteens about gettingvaccinated. We are also stressing the importance of vaccination in our communities to better ensure that diseases such as pertussis, HPV, meningococcal meningitis and influenza become less of a threat to our children.” 

The CDC currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Influenza (flu)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - three doses
• Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY) 

Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia’s pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students. Speak with your physician today to find out if your preteen is up-to-date and if not, make a date to vaccinate.

For more information, click here.

Gilmer County Health Department will close early at 3:30 PM today, Thursday, March 3, 2016, due to inclement weather and possible hazardous road conditions.

Pickens County Health Department will close early at 2:30 PM today, Thursday, March 3, 2016, due to inclement weather and possible hazardous road conditions.