- Written by Tammy Bowling, District TB Coordinator
- Category: Media Releases
Kim Bennett, RN, Cherokee County Health Department Nursing Supervisor, provides TB education to a new patientDalton (GA) - March 24th is World TB Day. This date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch stunned the scientific community by announcing his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). On this day, the North Georgia Health District joins other health officials worldwide in not only recognizing this early significant event in TB-control efforts, but we raise awareness about the devastating impact that TB disease has on the economy and health of our world today.
Pickens County Health Department TB Nurse Caroline Garrett, RN, is reading a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
TB is the second leading killer of adults in the world and is the leading cause of death in people who are infected with HIV. There were 10,528 reported cases of TB in the US in 2011, and Georgia reported 347 of those new cases. There have been 17 cases in the 6 counties of the North Georgia Health District in the past two reported years.
For the second year in a row the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the global Stop TB Partnership have chosen "Stop TB in my lifetime" as the slogan for World TB Day. This theme encourages people of all ages, all over the world, to make an individual call for the elimination of TB.
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- Written by Ready.gov, Adapted for NGHD by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
Dalton (GA) - The North Georgia Health District, part of the Georgia Department of Public Health, is proud to promote National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 3-9, 2013. During this week, we are asking everyone who lives or works in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties to Be a Force of Nature and better prepare for severe weather threats in our area.
As part of weather-readiness, we as individuals can Be a Force of Nature by knowing the risk, taking action and serving as an example.
Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of severe weather.
Each year, individuals are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual.
According to David Huskey, district director of Emergency Preparedness, "We are committed to working with leaders in all six of our counties to ensure the safety of each community; however, each individual has an important role to play in this, as well. By taking a few steps now, you can be better prepared and assist in saving lives."
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- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
RAPID HIV TESTING IS NOW AVAILABLE IN DALTON AND IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT AT THE WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE RAPID HIV TEST IS QUICK, CONFIDENTIAL AND REQUIRES ONLY A FINGERSTICK. TEST RESULTS WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE SAME OFFICE VISIT. COUNSELING, FOLLOW-UP AND REFERRAL WILL BE PROVIDED, AS NEEDED. THE RAPID HIV TEST IS FREE OF CHARGE.
WALK-IN TESTING TIMES WILL BE ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 9:00 A.M UNTIL 3:00 P.M.
THE WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS LOCATED AT 800 PROFESSIONAL BOULEVARD IN DALTON.
THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) RECOMMENDS THAT EVERYONE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 64 BE TESTED FOR HIV AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFETIME, AND THOSE AT INCREASED RISK -- SUCH AS GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN, INJECTION DRUG USERS, OR PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS -- SHOULD BE TESTED AT LEAST ANNUALLY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RAPID HIV TESTING THAT IS BEING PROVIDED BY PUBLIC HEALTH IN DALTON, CALL (706) 281-2370.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIV/AIDS AND ITS PREVENTION, LOG ONTO THE CDC WEBSITE AT WWW.CDC.GOV/HIV.
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- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer and Risk Communicator
- Category: Media Releases
Ellijay (GA) – Gilmer County Environmental Health officials announced today that a local male Siberian Husky came into contact with a raccoon that has now tested positive for rabies.
On February 7, the dog owner found the dog with the dead raccoon on Willard Mountain Road in the area of Big Creek and Doublehead Gap Roads near the Gilmer-Fannin County line.
There was no human exposure to the raccoon.
The raccoon was sent for rabies testing to the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory, and the positive results were returned on February 8.
The dog was current on its rabies vaccination; therefore, the only treatment required was a rabies booster shot and a 45-day observation period.
“This is a happy ending as opposed to what could have been a very unhappy one,” said Andrea Martin, Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager. “And it’s all due to the owners responsibly keeping their pet current on its rabies vaccination.”
Health officials urge residents to prevent the spread of rabies by maintaining current rabies vaccinations in their pets and by avoiding contact with all unfamiliar animals, both domestic and wild.
For more information about rabies, please contact Gilmer County Environmental Health at (706) 635-6050 or log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov.
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