The Coastal Health District is warning individuals and businesses after receiving a report that an unknown person falsely claimed to be a health inspector and threatened to close a Glynn County restaurant. The restaurant manager reported the incident to the Glynn County Health Department on Monday, Feb. 10, stating that the encounter occurred over the weekend with an angry patron who made the false claim.

Because the individual did not ask for money or favors, law enforcement was not involved. However, the Coastal Health District is sharing the following information to help protect individuals and businesses from potential fraudulent encounters.

“We take incidents like this very seriously, because we take integrity and professionalism seriously,” said Environmental Health Director Brant Phelps. “This is a good opportunity to let folks know what to expect from our health inspectors and how to recognize suspicious behavior.”

County health inspectors:

• Carry official identification cards. Businesses may ask to see the inspector’s ID and may call the county environmental health office to verify credentials.
• Never accept money in the field. Fees for permits and other environmental health services are paid directly to the health department and are never collected in cash.

If the behavior of someone claiming to be a health inspector seems suspicious, contact the county environmental health office to verify their identity. Never pay for environmental health services in cash or directly to an individual in the field.

Show your heart some love this month and get free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings during events at your local health department.

The Chatham County Health Department is hosting its 3^rd Annual Heart Health Fair on Thursday, February 12 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the clinic located at 1395 Eisenhower Drive. There is no cost to participate and no appointment is needed.

The event will include free blood pressure screenings, blood glucose tests, raffle prizes, and refreshments, plus door prizes for the first 30 attendees! The health fair will also feature information and education from several community partners.

These other free blood pressure and blood glucose screening events are scheduled throughout the Coastal Health District:

Why Get Screened?

High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, but you and your healthcare team can take steps to lower your blood pressure if it’s too high. The only way to know is to get checked with a simple blood pressure screening.

Another important routine test is a blood glucose screening, which checks for health concerns like prediabetes and diabetes. Once you know your blood glucose levels, you can make any needed adjustments to your diet, exercise, or medications to improve your health.

The Coastal Health District has several programs to help you manage blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Find out more about these programs and other local resources at any of these heart health events and on our Healthy Living web page.

The following press release was issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health on January 12, 2026:

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a measles case in a baby too young to receive routine measles vaccination. The baby, who acquired the virus while traveling internationally, lives in the Coastal Health District. DPH is working to identify individuals who may have been exposed to measles through contact with the child.   

Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. 

Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, including high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then, a rash of tiny red spots appears. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. 

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can prevent measles and rubella. The vaccine is safe and effective, and parents with questions about the vaccine or the vaccination schedule can consult their physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. For babies aged 6-11 months travelling internationally, the CDC recommends a single dose of the MMR vaccine before travel, followed by two additional doses after their first birthday. 

More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%. Individuals who are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine also help protect others who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.

 People with measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without first calling to let them know about your symptoms. Healthcare providers who suspect measles in a patient should notify public health immediately.

This is the first reported measles case in Georgia in 2026. There were 10 confirmed measles cases in Georgia in 2025.

For more information about measles, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.