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Our Health District office and all our county public health facilities and programs, including Health Departments, Environmental Health offices, CWSN and WIC services, in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties, and The Living Bridge Center Ryan White HIV Clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville, will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3rd, in celebration of our Nation's 250th Independence Day (July 4th).
All our public health services will resume on Monday, the 6th.
Have a safe, Healthy, and HAPPY Fourth of July!
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 2, 2026
Celebrate the Nation's
250th Birthday
Stay Safe and Healthy this 4th of July!
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) wants it to be a safe and healthy 4th of July for all Georgians and visitors to the state. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-90s, so be sure to stay well hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.
At the beach, barbecuing, or watching fireworks, below are some tips on staying safe while having fun this weekend and throughout the summer.
HEAT AND SUN can cause skin damage, skin cancer, and serious illness, but there are ways to enjoy the summer and stay protected.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 that protects your skin from both UVA and UVA rays
- Reapply sunscreen if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
- Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water! Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine and sugar.
- Find places out of the sun to cool off.
- Avoid strenuous activity; take breaks.
- Never leave children or pets in a hot car.
- Check on family members, older adults, and neighbors.
- Call 911 if someone has signs of heatstroke:
-
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- For more information, please visit the CDC’s Heat Health web page. Read more DPH Guidance below....
National HIV Testing Day Encourages Awareness, Prevention, and Early Detection
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Each year on June 27, National HIV Testing Day highlights the importance of knowing your HIV status and taking steps to protect your health. The annual observance encourages individuals to get tested, learn about prevention options, and connect with care and treatment services if needed. According to HIV.gov, HIV testing is the first step in prevention, treatment, and living a healthy life, and everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine healthcare.
“The North Georgia Health District is committed to helping end the HIV epidemic and ensuring our communities have easy access to the services they need,” said K. Mills McNeill, MD, PhD, District Health Director. “National HIV Testing Day is the perfect opportunity to start a conversation about getting tested and taking control of your health.”
HIV testing is available year-round through all seven of our public health department locations across the six-county North Georgia Health District, comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties, as well as through The Living Bridge Center (TLBC) Ryan White HIV Clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville. This service is fast, confidential, and available at little to no cost at each of our clinics.
Find locations and Monday-through-Friday hours of operation for our county health departments and The Living Bridge Center clinics by clicking the county and city names linked above.
Also visit www.nghd.org to learn about the full range of public health services offered through our health district and county health departments, and go to nghd.org/tlbc-home to find the state-of-the-art public health HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services provided at The Living Bridge Center (TLBC) clinics.
Learn more about National HIV Testing Day at www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day.
By working together, we can ALL help end the HIV epidemic and support healthier futures for everyone.
⚠️🍔 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗨𝗬, 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞! 🥤⚠️
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This summer, as roadside food vendors become more common in North Georgia, it's important to think about food safety before making a purchase.
There are numerous permitted mobile food units in Georgia, such as food trucks and food trailers. However, you should be aware that food and beverages sold from 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 may not be prepared, stored, or served under the food safety standards that help protect public health.
Potential risks for Foodborne Illness from UNPERMITTED or UNINSPECTED Roadside Food Vendors may include:
✅ Improper food temperatures that allow harmful bacteria to grow
✅ Lack of handwashing and restroom facilities for food handlers
✅ Unsafe food preparation or storage practices
✅ Exposure to insects, dust, animals, or environmental contaminants
✅ Unknown sources of food ingredients or water used in beverages
Consuming contaminated food or drinks can lead to foodborne illnesses that may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and other serious health complications.
Protect yourself and your family by purchasing food and beverages from permitted establishments and vendors that follow required food safety regulations and are subject to routine inspections.
When in doubt about whether a roadside vendor is permitted or not, call 706-529-5757 to speak with your local Environmental Health office. You can find additional contact information here: nghd.org/eh-contact.
Learn more about food safety in North Georgia on our Environmental Health website at nghd.org/eh.
We are CLOSED on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. The North Georgia Health District office, health departments, environmental health offices, WIC program, and all other public health programs and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed. Clinics at The Living Bridge Center in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville will also be closed.
Have a Healthy, Happy Easter Weekend!
—En Español—
Estaremos CERRADOS el Viernes Santo, 3 de abril. La oficina del Distrito de Salud de North Georgia, departamentos de salud, oficinas de salud ambiental, programa WIC y todos los demás programas y servicios de salud pública en Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens y Whitfield contarán con sus instalaciones cerradas. Las clínicas de The Living Bridge Center en Canton, Dalton y Gainesville también estarán cerradas.
¡ Disfruta de un fin de semana de Pascua, Feliz y Saludable!
Cherokee County Health Department in Woodstock Now Offering Child Well Check Visits for Ages 3 to 20
Woodstock, Georgia – The Cherokee County Health Department in Woodstock is pleased to announce the availability of Child Well Check Visits for individuals aged 3 to 20.
These visits are now offered by Julia George, a Public Health Registered Nurse specially trained to provide comprehensive well-child assessments. Child Well Check Visits are an important part of preventive healthcare, helping to monitor growth and development, identify potential health concerns early, and support overall wellness for children and adolescents.
Services Will Include:
- Growth and development assessments
- Routine health screenings
- Immunization review and updates
- Vision, hearing, and/or other screenings
Appointments are available at the Cherokee County Health Department in Woodstock. Read on!
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Flu Vaccination Still Available at All County Health Departments
North, GA – Hundreds of North Georgians “cruised through” this year’s Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics at county health departments across the district—rolling in for protection and rolling out with peace of mind!
This fall, our local public health teams provided a total of 599 flu vaccinations during these drive-thru events, distributed as follows:
- Cherokee County: 83
- Fannin County: 102
- Gilmer County: 42
- Murray County: 114
- Whitfield County: 258
Residents in Pickens County were encouraged to schedule appointments directly at the health department in Jasper.
Flu Shots Still Available
If you missed a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late! Flu vaccines are available now at all six county health departments in the North Georgia Health District: Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield.
Contact information for each location is available at www.nghd.org.
Protect Yourself & Others
Getting a flu shot is the best way to guard against influenza—but it’s only one layer of protection. To help reduce the spread of flu, public health experts also recommend:
- Get vaccinated—everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot each year.
- Practice good hand hygiene—wash hands often with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes—use a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Stay home if you’re sick—to prevent spreading the flu to others.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces—especially high-touch areas.
Why It Matters
According to the CDC, flu vaccination helps prevent illness, reduces missed work and school days, lowers the risk of hospitalization, and protects vulnerable family members—like infants, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions.
“Every flu shot makes a difference—for you, your family, and your community,” said Robin Coffey, BSN, RN, District Immunization Coordinator. “Even if you couldn’t attend a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late to fuel your immunity. Contact your local health department today.”
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The Murray County Health Department in Chatsworth will be CLOSED on Thursday, October 2, and Friday, October 3, due to needed plumbing repairs. This closing will impact both clinical and WIC services. We apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to resuming services to residents as soon as possible next week.
Learn about public health services provided by each county health department in the North Georgia Health District at www.nghd.org.
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North GA – The North Georgia Health District is proud to announce that this year’s Environmental Health All-Star Award recipient for Health District 1-2 is Wendy Scoggins, Administrative Professional with the Gilmer County Environmental Health Office.
The Environmental Health Office of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) established this award in 2024 to honor an outstanding Environmental Health Specialist in each of Georgia’s 18 public health districts. Staff members within each district are nominated by their peers, and a special committee carefully selects the top candidate. For North Georgia Health District 1-2, Wendy Scoggins exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond in serving her community through Environmental Health.
Wendy Scoggins, 2025 EHS All Star for District 1-2, and District Environmental Health Director Amy Grice“Wendy has devoted 19 years of service to the health district, where she has been a steadfast and compassionate presence in Environmental Health,” said Amy Grice, MPH, REHS, District 1-2 Environmental Health Director. “She approaches her work with patience, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help others. Her unwavering dedication to customer service has made her a favorite among the public. Real estate agents, local builders, partner agencies, and many others often praise her for her prompt responses, kindness, empathy, and willingness to go the extra mile.”
According to Andrea Mathis, Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager, “Wendy’s personal motto — ‘Treat others the way you would like to be treated’ — shines through in every interaction. As the only administrative staff member in a rapidly growing county, she carries a tremendous workload, managing all customer inquiries, document submittals, and office administration with remarkable organization and efficiency.”
Her extensive knowledge of Environmental Health programs, coupled with the strong partnerships she has built across departments and agencies, makes Wendy not only an invaluable resource to her customers but also to her fellow staff. Her excellence truly embodies the spirit of this award.
We congratulate Wendy on this well-deserved recognition and are proud of our hard-working environmental health staff throughout the district! Learn more about the Environmental Health program in North Georgia and how it serves residents in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties at https://nghd.org/eh.
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Today we join the nation in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a day for quiet reflection, memory, and inspiration. Please be reminded all our public health offices, departments, and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed today in observance of this special occasion. Learn about the life and legacy of Dr. King at https://www.dodea.edu/news/observance-calendar/martin-luther-king-jr-day.