Georgia Coastal Health District

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to your health, particularly if you have asthma or other lung diseases. As wildfires continue to burn in our region, here are two federal resources for air quality information.

U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program

At outlooks.airfire.org, you can click on a specific fire and see the regional smoke outlook for that day and the next.

Environmental Protection Agency & Partners

At www.airnow.gov, you can type in your zip code to see the current air quality index.

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Protecting Your Health from Wildfire Smoke

The Coastal Health District is encouraging residents to take precautions when wildfire smoke is impacting air quality across the Coastal Health District.

Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but some people have a higher risk of health problems associated with wildfire smoke. People at increased risk include individuals with chronic conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart disease. Pregnant women, children, and first responders are also at higher risk.

If wildfire smoke is impacting your area, you’re encouraged to:

• Stay inside and away from the smoke.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if you have one but keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. You can also use fans inside the home to help stay cool.
• Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution such as smoking or vaping, spraying aerosol products, burning candles or incense, or vacuuming unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
• Keep airways moist by drinking plenty of water.
• Follow the advice of your health care provider about medicines and your respiratory management plan if you have asthma, COPD, or any other lung or heart disease. Seek medical attention if you are having difficulty breathing or if your symptoms worsen.

Get more information about protecting your health from wildfire smoke at the website of the CDC.

Health departments in the Coastal Health District are offering free testing events for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, during STI Awareness Month in April.

STI testing is always available without an appointment during clinic hours at health departments in coastal Georgia. But during these special events, STI testing will be offered at no cost. A full list of free STI testing events is at the bottom of this page.

One in five people in the U.S. has an STI. Many infections don’t have obvious symptoms at first, but if left untreated, they can cause severe, long-term health problems and spread to partners.

STI testing is important for anyone who is sexually active, including adolescents, adults, and pregnant women.  STIs can cause serious health problems for pregnant moms and can be passed to their unborn babies.

The good news is, all STIs can be treated, and most can be cured. Routine STI testing can help individuals get treatment early, protect their health, and have open, informed conversations with partners. Testing is quick, confidential, and often easier than people expect.

In 2024, more than 2.2 million STIs were reported across the United States. Overall, rates have declined in recent years but are still much higher than STI rates of a decade ago, reinforcing the need to continue prioritizing STI prevention, testing, and treatment.

Free STI Testing Events in the Coastal Health District

Bryan County

• April 22, 8-11am and 1-4pm, 430 Ledford St., Pembroke
  Appointments preferred but not required
  
• April 14, 8-11am and 1-4pm, 66 Capt. Matthew Freeman Dr., Richmond Hill
  Appointments preferred but not required

Camden County

• April 16, 8am-12pm and 1-5:30pm, 101 Winding Rd., Kingsland
  Appointments preferred but not required

Chatham County

• April 13-17, 8-11am and 1-4pm, Mon. through Thurs., 8a-1p on Friday
  1395 Eisenhower Dr. & 1602 Drayton St., Savannah
  No appointment needed

Effingham County

• April 13-17, 8-11am and 1-4pm, Mon. through Thurs., 8a-12p on Friday
  802 Hwy. 119 South, Springfield
  Appointments preferred but not required

Glynn County

• April 16, 8am-12pm and 1-5pm, 2747 Fourth St., Brunswick
  No appointment needed

Liberty County

• April 13-17, 8-11am and 1-4pm, Mon. through Thurs., 8a-12p on Friday
  1113 East Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville
  Appointments preferred but not required

Long County

• April 20-24, 8-11am and 1-4pm, Mon. through Thurs., 8a-12p on Friday
  584 N. Macon St., Ludowici
  Appointments preferred but not required

McIntosh County

• April 14, 8-11am and 1-4pm, 1335 GA Hwy 57, Townsend
  Appointments preferred but not required

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.