Georgia Coastal Health District

The hours of operation at health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties will change slightly beginning July 1 to make it more convenient for clients to come in for services. The Fort Stewart WIC clinic will also have modified hours. Click on your county for an updated hours of operation.

In Chatham and Glynn counties, the vital records offices (death and birth certificates) will follow the same hours of operation as the health departments. The environmental health offices in  Camden and McIntosh counties will also adjust hours beginning July 1. The Chatham County environmental health office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The office will physically close at 2 p.m. on Fridays; however, clients can schedule appointments in advance to take place after 2 p.m.

Health department services include child and adult immunizations, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, family planning services, child health services, the Women, Infant, and Children’s (WIC) nutrition program, Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) and more.

There is a recall by Caito Foods of fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, & fresh-cut mixed fruit with the same melons because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Georgia is one of the states where the products were distributed.

Get more information and a complete list of the recalled products here: https://bit.ly/2LGvreT

The Coastal Health District HIV Prevention Program will offer free HIV testing on June 27 in observance of National HIV Testing Day. Testing events will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the following locations:

CHATHAM COUNTY:
Walgreens, 2109 E. Victory Drive, Savannah
Walgreens, 11509 Abercorn St., Savannah
Walgreens, 4210 Augusta Rd., Garden City

GLYNN COUNTY
Walgreens, 4575 Altama Ave., Brunswick

All testing is completely confidential and results will be available in one minute. A follow-up visit will be scheduled for anyone who tests positive and counseling will be made available to those individuals.

The first 25 people who come for testing at each Walgreens location will receive a gift card.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight people don’t know they have it. Nearly 45,000 people find out they have HIV every year. In Georgia, the risk of HIV diagnosis is 1 in 51. National HIV Testing Week is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage people to get the facts, tested, get involved, and get linked to care and treatment services. The Coastal Health District is pleased to offer free HIV testing as part of this global effort. As a reminder, HIV testing is free at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday during regular health department hours of operation.

Anyone with questions about testing can call Diane DeVore at (912) 644-5828 or e-mail Diane.Devore@dph.ga.gov.

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Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties are now offering Shingrix, a new vaccine to help protect against shingles, a painful rash that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingrix also protects against postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), severe pain that can occur at the site of the shingles rash even after the rash clears up. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to recommend the vaccine in adults ages 50 and older.

The previous vaccine for shingles – Zostavax – was recommended for those 60 and older. According to the CDC, Shingrix is recommended for healthy adults 50 and older even if they have previously had shingles, received Zostavax, or are unsure if they have had chickenpox.

“Being able to offer the Shingrix vaccine means that we can protect even more people against shingles,” said Coastal Health District Immunization Coordinator, Paige Lightsey, R.N. “When we can offer a vaccine that provides even more coverage against a disease, it’s a good day in public health.”

Shingrix is given in two doses separated by two to six months. According to the CDC, two doses of Shingrix is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and PHN.

About one in every three people in the United States will get shingles. The risk of shingles increases as you get older. There is no maximum age for getting the Shingrix vaccine.

For more information on the Shingrix vaccine, click HERE.

 ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed one case of E. coli infection in Georgia that is linked to the multi-state outbreak of E. coli. The CDC has identified romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region as the likely source of the outbreak strain of E. coli. Eighty-four people from 19 states have been infected so far.

The Georgia case linked to the multi-state outbreak of E. coli is a metro Atlanta teenager and was hospitalized, but has since been released. The individual ate salad containing romaine lettuce at different restaurants in the metro area, and also ate bagged romaine purchased at a local grocery store.

Symptoms of E. coli infection usually develop between 2-8 days after contact with the bacteria. Most people experience diarrhea (that can be bloody), severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Some infections are very mild and people recover within a week. Other infections are severe or even life-threatening.

“This particular strain of E. coli has resulted in more hospitalizations than we would normally expect with this type of outbreak,” said Cherie Drenzek, DVM, state epidemiologist. “It is crucial that the public understands how serious E. coli infections can be, and to heed all recommended precautions about avoiding romaine lettuce for the time being.”

The CDC recommends:

• Consumers avoid all romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, including whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine and salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce.
• Understand that product labels often do not identify growing regions; do not eat or buy romaine lettuce it if you do not know where it was grown.
• Don’t take chances – if you are not sure what romaine lettuce is or what it looks like, do not eat it.
• Washing lettuce will not eliminate E. coli – the bacteria can stick to leafy surfaces or hide in microscopic crevices.
• Contact your healthcare providerif you have diarrhea that lasts for more than three days or is accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.

For more information log on to https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/signs-symptoms.html.

About the Georgia Department of Public Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters. DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH visit www.dph.ga.gov.

March 2, 2018                                                                                                                                                         

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) program invites interested persons to participate in a 60-day public comment period for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 Annual State Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Stakeholders, early intervention providers, parents and members of the public are encouraged to comment. The grant application and revised policy may be reviewed online or at locations throughout the state.

Participants can submit comments by mail, email, fax or in person:

1. Written comments will be accepted by mail until May 2, 2018:
   Babies Can’t Wait
   Attn: Lisa Pennington, Deputy Director Early Intervention
   2 Peachtree Street NW, 11^th Floor
   Atlanta, GA 30303-13422
2. Email comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018:

DPH-MCHDO@dph.ga.gov  (Subject line: Part C or Public Comment)

1. Fax comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018:
   State BCW office fax: (404) 657-7307
2. In person comments at a public hearing:
   See available locations below.

DPH invites interested persons to attend public hearings and present public comments. To allow an opportunity for all to be heard, comments will be limited to five minutes.

About Babies Can’t Wait

The Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, from birth to age three, and their families. BCW enhances the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their child to ensure each young child with significant developmental delays achieves his or her maximum developmental potential. To learn more about DPH Babies Can’t Wait program, please call (404) 657-2850 or (888) 651-8224 or visit http://dph.georgia.gov/Babies-Cant-Wait.

About the Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit dph.ga.gov.

March 1, 2018                                                                                                                                                         

PUBLIC NOTICE

 ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH), Maternal and Child Health, Title V Program invites interested persons to participate in a 45-day public comment period for updates to the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019 Annual State Application Guidance. Healthcare and community partners, families and members of the public are encouraged to comment and may review the proposed grant application’s revised guidance online.

Comments will be accepted in three ways:

1. Email comments will be received until April 15, 2018:

DPH-MCHDO@dph.ga.gov  (Subject line: Title V Public Comment)

1. Fax comments will be received until April 15, 2018:

State Title V Office fax: (404) 657-7307

1. Personal comments will be received at a Public Hearing Webinar:

DPH invites interested persons to attend a Public Hearing Webinar at which

proposed changes to national and state performance measures will be

discussed. To allow an opportunity for all to be heard, comments will be limited to

five minutes.

The Title V Block Grant is a federally funded grant provided to 59 U.S. states and jurisdictions. The mission of Title V legislation is to promote the health of women, infants, children and youth, including those with special health care needs, and their families. Activities for the block grant are grouped into five (5) domains or focus areas. These include: women/maternal health, infant/perinatal health, child health, adolescent health, and children with special health care needs. The Maternal and Child Health Section of the Georgia Department of Public Health administers the Title V Block Grant in Georgia.

To learn more about DPH’s Maternal and Child Health Title V Block Program, please call (404) 657-2850 or (888) 651-8224 or visit http://dph.georgia.gov/TitleV

To access the webinar, please follow the two steps below.  You will need to complete both steps to join the webinar:

1. Click on the following link:

https://join.freeconferencecall.com/sherry_richardson

You will be prompted to enter your name and email address, then enter the room.

1. To join the conference line, please dial the number listed below:

Dial in number          1 (605) 475-4764
Access Code            856767#

Due to the high volume of participants who are expected to join this webinar, we recommend that you call in 10 minutes before the start of the webinar. If you get a busy signal, please hang up and call again.

Questions and Comments are encouraged. Please feel free to email your questions to the Georgia Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: DPH-MCHDO@dph.ga.gov.

Agenda
Noon                  Welcome Remarks
12:05 p.m.          Revisions to Program Guidance – Overview/Rationale
12:10 p.m.          National/State Performance Measure Updates
12:15 p.m.          Comment Period (40 minutes)
12:55 p.m.          Closing Remarks

About the Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit www.dph.georgia.gov.

From the Georgia Department of Public Health
January 12, 2018

If you have not gotten a flu shot yet, do not wait any longer! Flu is widespread in Georgia, and more than three hundred individuals have been hospitalized with flu-related illness. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed four flu-related deaths so far, but that number is expected to increase.

The predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is influenza A (H3N2). This strain can be particularly hard on the very young, people over age 65, or those with existing medical conditions. H3N2 is one of the strains contained in this year’s flu vaccine along with two or three others, depending on the vaccine.

“It is not too late to get a flu shot,” says J. Patrick O’Neal, M.D., DPH commissioner. “Every individual over the age of six months should get a flu vaccine – not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications.”

Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary from person to person, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you think you have the flu, call or visit your doctor.

In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend the use of antivirals such as Tamiflu® or Relenza®. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder or an intravenous solution) that fight against the flu in your body. Antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. Antivirals are used to treat those at high-risk for flu complications – young children, the elderly, individuals with underlying medical conditions and women who are pregnant. Most otherwise-healthy people who get the flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs.

There are other things you can do to help prevent the spread of flu – tried and true measures your mother taught you.

• Frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol based gels are the next best thing if you don’t have access to soap and
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing to help prevent the spread of the flu. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or arm.
• Avoid touching your face as flu germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and
• If you are sick, stay home from school or work. Flu sufferers should be free of a fever, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours before returning to school or

If you are caring for a sick individual at home, keep them away from common areas of the house and other people as much as possible. If you have more than one bathroom, have the sick person use one and well people use the other. Clean the sick room and the bathroom once a day with household disinfectant. Thoroughly clean linens, eating utensils, and dishes used by the sick person before reusing.

To learn more about influenza log on to www.flu.gov.

About the Georgia Department of Public Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters. DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH visit www.dph.ga.gov.

Health Departments and HIV CARE Centers in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties will suspend operations at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8, for a software upgrade.

Environmental Health offices in Bryan, Camden, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties will also suspend operations at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8.

The Vital Records office at the Chatham County Health Department will remain open on Friday, December 8.

The Vital Records office at the Glynn County Health Department will be closed on Friday, December 8.

The Chatham County Environmental Health office will remain open on Friday, December 8.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. All services will be available at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 11.