An unvaccinated Boxer belonging to a family on Damascus Road in Pickens County, GA tested positive for rabies on December 6. As a result, environmental health officials had to recommend post rabies exposure treatment to people who most recently handled the dog before it was euthanized on December 5.

Almost thirty people were evaluated for rabies exposure in this case because the dog had been present during a Thanksgiving family gathering. There was no indication of exposure to those persons; however, six other people, including two veterinary technicians and four family members, were considered potentially exposed. Five have begun post-exposure rabies treatments, but one family member has declined to undergo post-exposure preventive treatments.

WITH THE PEAK OF THE FLU SEASON FAST APPROACHING, FLU SHOTS ARE NOW REDUCED TO $10 AT PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN CHEROKEE, FANNIN, GILMER, MURRAY, PICKENS AND WHITFIELD COUNTIES!

DON'T LET THE FLU GET THE BEST OF YOU THIS SEASON. COME RIGHT AWAY TO ONE OF THESE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO GET YOUR LOW-COST $10 FLU SHOT! YOU MAY PAY WITH CASH, CHECK, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, STATE CIGNA OR STATE UNITED HEALTH CARE INSURANCES - AND NOW, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE ACCEPTING BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD BLUECHOICE PPO INSURANCE!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT:
CHEROKEE: CANTON (770) 345-7371/WOODSTOCK (770) 928-0133 GILMER (706) 635-4363 / PICKENS (706) 253-2821 FANNIN (706) 632-3023 / MURRAY (706) 695-4585 WHITFIELD (706) 226-2621

During this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 4-10, North Georgia Health District officials remind residents how important it is that they receive an annual flu shot.

Since flu viruses are constantly changing and immunity can decline over time, annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection, even during years when the particular flu viruses the vaccine protects against remain the same as in the previous season.

Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well; and an annual flu shot is the most effective tool to continuously prevent the flu and flu-related complications that could become quite serious.