Georgia Coastal Health District

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A mosquito sample collected by Chatham County Mosquito Control has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Mosquito Control routinely collects and samples mosquitoes throughout Chatham County. The infected mosquitos were collected from the south side of Savannah. This is the first positive WNV test in the Chatham County mosquito population this year. Mosquito Control is treating the area with insecticide.

Last week, Mosquito Control’s routine testing program also confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a chicken in West Savannah. EEE is another mosquito-borne virus that can infect humans. The testing program acts as an early alert system for detecting these viruses in the mosquito population. The information is used to direct insecticide efforts and to warn residents to take precautions.

WNV and EEE are transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Many people who are infected with these viruses have no symptoms, but severe cases can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

There is no vaccine or cure for WNV or EEE, so prevention is key. All residents should take steps to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water. You can reduce your risk of infection by following the 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention:

• Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
• DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
• Drain – Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flowerpots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
• Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.

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The Chatham County Health Department invites the community to a Family Resource Fair on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The event will take place in the health department parking lot at 1395 Eisenhower Drive from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with activities for adults and kids, including:

• Bouncy houses
• Raffle prizes
• Games
• Face painting
• Music & activities
• Food trucks
• Vaccination booth, and
• Community vendors.

“We’ve planned a really fun-filled day for grownups and kids,” said Katee MacCauley, Public Health Educator at the Chatham County Health Department. “But what we’re most excited about is connecting people with family resources that are available right here in our community.”

Several vendors will be at the event, including the Live Oak Libraries, Over the Moon Diaper Bank, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, First City Pride Center, Parent University, and many more.

“Chatham County is fortunate to have so many great community organizations, but not everyone is aware of what’s available to them,” said MacCauley. “We want to connect those dots so our neighbors and clients can take advantage of these resources. And we want to have some fun, too. “

This event is open and free to the public; the only services with a fee are food truck purchases and immunizations.

The Chatham County Health Department is hosting a Community Baby Shower on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 for pregnant moms and caregivers of children up to age 1. The event will be held at the health department located at 1395 Eisenhower Dr. in Savannah from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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“Getting ready to welcome a baby is exciting, but also a little overwhelming,” said Katee MacCauley, Public Health Educator at the Chatham County Health Department. “Our community has a lot of great resources, and we want to connect families with the support that is available to them.”

At the community baby shower, moms and caregivers can get help installing car seats or checking the seats they’ve already installed. There will be information on safe infant sleep practices, breastfeeding support, nutrition programs, and health insurance plans. Diapers and other infant items will be given away along with raffle prizes and light refreshments. Parents can also sign up for safe infant sleep classes where they’ll receive a free pack-n-play for attending.

The event is being sponsored by the Chatham County Health Department, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Peach State Health Plan, Safe Kids Savannah, and Over the Moon Diaper Bank. No RSVP is required.

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A bat in the Forsyth Park area of downtown Savannah has tested positive for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office reminds all residents and visitors to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure pets are properly vaccinated against rabies.

The bat was caught by a domestic cat inside a home near Forsyth Park and was brought to a local veterinarian. The veterinarian notified the Health Department, who then tested the bat for rabies. Fortunately, the domestic cat is current on its rabies vaccination. The resident had recently received post-exposure rabies treatment and is not considered at risk. The resident is working with a wildlife removal company to ensure any other bats are removed from the property.

This incident is a reminder that several species of wild animals in our area can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. Following these tips can protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health office at 912-356-2160.

The Chatham County Health Department will offer FREE mammograms to eligible women on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the Midtown clinic at 1602 Drayton Street.

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The St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be in the Health Department’s parking lot from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free mammography screening will be available by appointment for women between the ages of 40 and 64 who meet income guidelines and have no health insurance coverage.

The service is by appointment only, so women are urged to schedule the free mammogram by calling the Chatham County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) at 912-356-2946.
BCCP provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening for women who may not otherwise receive such services. The BCCP program partners with the St. Joseph’s/Candler mobile mammography program to offer free mammograms several times a year.

The remaining dates for 2023 are:

• May 23
• August 14
• October 24

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in woman after skin cancer. It is estimated that about one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.

For more information on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/bccp.

The Chatham County Health Department reminds residents and restaurant owners on Tybee, Wilmington, and Talahi Islands to discard any refrigerated, perishable food if they experienced a power outage of more than 4 hours.

A downed tree caused a power outage late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for thousands of customers on the islands in Chatham County. During a power outage, perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products can spoil quickly, even if they are kept in a refrigerator. The risk of foodborne illness increases significantly when these foods are not stored at the proper temperature.

If the refrigerator doors stay closed, food will stay safe for up to:

• 4 hours in a refrigerator.
• 48 hours in a full freezer; 24 hours in a half-full freezer.

Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power. Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture.

Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.

The Coastal Health District Adolescent Health and Youth Development program is partnering with the Beta Phi Lamda, Delta Eta, and XI Tau chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., to host a workshop for young men ages 12 to 18 that will focus on the importance of behavior, especially as it relates to sexual responsibility.

The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus Student Union. The event is free and meals will be provided.

“We are happy to partner with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to offer this opportunity for young men in our area,” said AHYD Coordinator, Antwonette Bulloch. “We’ll talk openly and honestly about things like relationships, teen pregnancy prevention, and sexually transmitted diseases.”

Registration is required. Click the button below to register or email 1906projectalpha@gmail.com for registration/consent forms or more information.