Georgia Coastal Health District

A bat in Savannah’s midtown area 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.

An individual discovered the bat in a parking lot on 31^st Street near Abercorn Street. When they attempted to nudge the bat away from cars, the individual was bitten. The person has received follow-up medical care, and there were no other known exposures.

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.

Haga clic aquí para obtener información en español.

The Chatham County Health Department is hosting a Bilingual Community Baby Shower on Friday, September 29, 2023, for pregnant moms and caregivers of children up to age 1. The event will be held at the health department’s midtown clinic at 1602 Drayton Street in Savannah from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with giveaways and information about community resources for parents and babies. Overflow parking is available in the health department parking lot across Drayton Street.

All information will be shared in English and Spanish, and Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available. “We want to be a resource for our whole community, and that includes our Spanish-speaking neighbors,” said Katee MacCauley, Public Health Educator at the Chatham County Health Department. “Parents and children can find a lot of support in Chatham County if they know what’s available, and this baby shower is our way of spreading the word.”

A similar event was held in June and attracted more than 150 attendees. At the community baby shower, parents and caregivers can get information on safe infant sleep practices, breastfeeding support, nutrition programs, and more. 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, Migrant Equity Southeast, Healthy Savannah, Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, and Mary’s Place. No RSVP is required.

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Chatham Organizará una Lluvia de Regalos para Bebé el 29 de Septiembre en la Clínica Midtown

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Chatham organizará una lluvia de regalos para bebé el viernes 29 de septiembre de 2023 para madres embarazadas y cuidadores de niños de hasta 1 año. El evento se llevará a cabo en la clínica Midtown del departamento de salud, dirección: 1602 Drayton Street en Savannah. El evento ocurrirá de 10 a 12 h. con obsequios e información sobre recursos comunitarios para madres y padres y bebés. El estacionamiento adicional está disponible en el estacionamiento del departamento de salud al otro lado de Drayton Street.

Toda la información se compartirá en inglés y español, y habrá intérpretes de habla hispana disponibles. “Queremos ser un recurso para toda nuestra comunidad, y eso incluye a nuestros vecinos de habla hispana,” dijo Katee MacCauley, Educadora de Salud Pública del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Chatham. “Las familias pueden encontrar mucho apoyo en el condado de Chatham si conocen los servicios disponibles, y este evento es nuestra forma de correr la voz”.

En junio se celebró un evento similar que atrajo a más de 150 asistentes. En la lluvia de regalos, se regalarán pañales y otros artículos infantiles junto con premios de rifa y refrigerios. Los padres también pueden inscribirse en clases de sueño seguro para bebés, donde recibirán una cuna portátil gratuita por asistir. Además, las familias pueden obtener información sobre prácticas seguras para el sueño infantil, apoyo a la lactancia materna, programas de nutrición y más.

El evento está patrocinado por el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Chatham, el Programa de Mujeres, Bebés y Niños (WIC), Migrant Equity Southeast, Healthy Savannah, las Escuelas Públicas de Savannah-Chatham y Mary’s Place. No es necesario confirmar su asistencia.

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A raccoon in Savannah’s midtown area has tested positive for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office reminds all residents to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure pets are properly vaccinated against rabies.

The raccoon was discovered already deceased in a residential yard near White Bluff Road and DeRenne Avenue and was taken to a public health lab for rabies testing. There was no human exposure to the infected raccoon. Fortunately, the only family pet that may have interacted with the raccoon is up to date on rabies vaccination and received a booster vaccine.

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.