Georgia Coastal Health District

The Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Program will hold blood glucose screening events at health departments throughout the month of November, which is Diabetes Awareness Month. The screenings are free and no appointment is necessary. Those getting screened will also receive information about the Diabetes Prevention Program and upcoming “Eating Healthy over the Holidays” virtual sessions.

The following screening events have been scheduled:

Bryan County Health Department, 430 Ledford Street, Pembroke
Tuesday, November 8
8- 11 a.m.

Glynn County Health Department, 2747 Fourth Street, Brunswick
Wednesday, November 9
1 – 4 p.m.

Camden County Health Department, 905 Dilworth Street, St. Marys
Thursday, November 10
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

McIntosh County Health Department, 1335 Ga Hwy. 17, Townsend
Thursday, December 1
1 – 4 p.m.

Liberty County Health Department, 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville
Monday, November 14
1 – 4 p.m.

Bryan County Health Department, 66 Capt. Matthew Freeman Drive, Richmond Hill
Tuesday, November 15
8 – 11 a.m.

Effingham County Health Department, 802 Hwy. 119 South, Springfield
Thursday, November 17
1 – 4 p.m.

Long County Health Department, 584 N. Macon Street, Ludowici
Thursday, November 17
2 – 5 p.m.

Chatham County Health Department, 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah
Tuesday, November22
 1 – 4 p.m.

Diabetes affects more than 30 million people in the United States and more than one out of every three adults have prediabetes. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels higher than normal and are more likely to get type 2 diabetes. Making modest lifestyle changes can help lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. The Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Program provides the tools our residents need to help combat diseases like diabetes that can lead to serious health complications.

More information about prediabetes and diabetes, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/diabetes.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has launched an online, centralized scheduling tool and helpline to locate and make appointments for mpox vaccine. To schedule a mpox vaccine, visit https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/en-US/. You may also call the Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at (888) 457-0186.

The scheduling tool allows you to choose a first or second dose of Jynneos™ mpox vaccine from a dropdown menu. Because mpox vaccine supply remains limited, you will be asked to answer a series of questions that help DPH prioritize vaccine to individuals who may have been exposed to mpox. The questions follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administering mpox vaccine.

The mpox scheduling tool simplifies finding vaccine and scheduling a mpox vaccination anywhere in the state by having all available appointments in one place instead of having to search individual health department websites. The availability of vaccines will be updated regularly to reflect the allocation of vaccine that Georgia receives from the federal government.

The mpox virus can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. While more than 90% of those affected in the current global outbreak are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has mpox can be infected.

If you think you may have mpox , seek testing as soon as possible. To avoid potential spread of mpox to others, stay isolated until your rash has healed, and a new layer of skin has formed.

There are things you can do to protect yourself from getting mpox:  

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For more information about mpox, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/mpox.

ATLANTA –The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to closely monitor the current outbreak of monkeypox in the state. As of today, there are 625 confirmed monkeypox cases in Georgia. Testing and vaccination are available in health districts throughout the state; however, vaccine supplies from the federal government remain limited.

The monkeypox virus can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. 

More than 90% of the people with monkeypox in the current outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox. While many of those affected in the current global outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness.

Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids is another way monkeypox spreads but has not been identified to be a common mode of transmission in this outbreak or for monkeypox in general.

The risk of contracting monkeypox is based on exposure – an individual must be exposed to enough virus to become infected. What is currently known about monkeypox transmission indicates that sharing bedding or towels with someone who is infected with monkeypox would carry more risk than passing encounters with money or a door handle or other environmental surfaces.

Most settings where people congregate such as workplaces, schools, grocery stores, gas station, or public transportation are not considered high risk settings for monkeypox transmission. It is important to remember that monkeypox is not transmitted like COVID and typically takes skin-to-skin or other close contact to transmit. Unlike COVID or measles, this means far lower risk to persons that may be in a room with someone with monkeypox, but who do not have contact with the infected individual. 

There are things you can do to protect yourself from getting monkeypox:  

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.

• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

For more information on monkeypox, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/monkeypox or https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of life, including your ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations. During NIAM, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccination.

As your children head back to school this fall, it’s particularly important for you to work with your child’s healthcare provider e to make sure they get caught up on missed well-child visits and recommended vaccines.

Remember to take care of yourself too! Make sure to receive any vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.