Georgia Coastal Health District

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Drug Surveillance Unit has received increased reports of overdoses due to drugs mixed with fentanyl, particularly cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills. Overdoses have been reported in several areas of the state over the past month.

Between early February and mid-March, at least 66 emergency department visits involved the use of cocaine, methamphetamine, crack, heroin, pain killers and cannabis products that were likely laced with fentanyl. Patients described extreme reactions to drugs – one patient reported taking a Percocet and went unresponsive – or patients were seen for a stimulant overdose but had a positive response to naloxone. Naloxone is administered to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

Fentanyl is a deadly substance that can be made illegally and found in all types of street drugs, not just opioids. It is important to know that it is possible to have an opioid overdose from a stimulant (e.g., cocaine) that is laced with fentanyl.

Symptoms of an opioid overdose include:

• Unconsciousness, or inability to wake up
  • Limp body
  • Falling asleep, extreme drowsiness
  • Slow, shallow, irregular or no breathing
  • Pale, blue, cold and/or clammy skin
  • Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
  • Slow or no heartbeat

Drugs that contain fentanyl cannot be detected by sight or smell, and even a small amount can cause an overdose. If you have a drug that was not prescribed for you, be aware it could contain fentanyl.

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have been increasing in Georgia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased 106.2% compared to the same time period the previous year.

If you suspect a drug overdose, call 911 immediately, provide the location of the overdose and stay with the individual until help arrives. Georgia has a medical amnesty law that protects individuals who may be experiencing an overdose and callers seeking medical attention for drug overdoses. Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be obtained from pharmacies in Georgia without a prescription under a standing order from the Commissioner.

Drug prevention and recovery are possible with the appropriate support. For access to services and immediate crisis help, the Georgia Crisis & Access Line 1-800-715-4225 is available 24/7.

The Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an annual observance aimed to help raise awareness and encourage preteens to make smart, healthy choices including defending themselves against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends these immunizations for preteens 11 to 12 years old:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) (2-shot series) to protect boys and girls from HPV-related cancers and infections.
• Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against some of the bacteria that can cause meningococcal disease, including sepsis and meningitis.
• Tdap vaccine is recommended for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Everyone 11-12 years of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year and preteens may also need to catch up on other immunizations, including chickenpox (many do not have their second dose), MMR (measles mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, and COVID-19.

For more information on immunization schedules, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/immunizations.

The Coastal Health District will host “Walk to Stop the Spread” at Forsyth Park on Saturday, April 16. The health fair and park walk are being held to raise awareness around HIV. The event is free and open to the public and participants who register will receive a free swag bag and t-shirt. There is no cost to register.

Outside vendors, food trucks, and other activities – including free HIV testing, diabetes screening, blood pressure checks, and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations – will also be available. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. The festivities will continue until noon.

To register, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/hiv or to eventbrite.com. You can also register in person at the Chatham County Health Department located at 1602 Drayton Street during regular operational hours.

The Coastal Health District’s HIV Program provides medical treatment and case management for those living with HIV/AIDS. all health departments offer free, confidential HIV testing. At-home HIV self-test kits are also available at no cost.

HIV testing is always free by appointment 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.

For more information on Coastal Health District HIV services, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/hiv.  

[JPG, 118.49 KB]

The following press release was issued from the Georgia Department of Public Health:

A recall of powdered infant formula is expanding to include a specialty formula for infants with certain dietary needs. Abbott Nutrition is now recalling one lot of Similac PM 60/40 in addition to select lots of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas manufactured in its Sturgis, Michigan, facility. The products are sold throughout the U.S. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents and caregivers of infants to check their powdered infant formula before using it.

The recall for Similac PM 60/40 includes lot numbers 27032K80 on cans and 27032K800 on cases.

The previously recalled powdered infant formulas – Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare – can be identified by the 7-to-9-digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package. Do not use these brands if they meet all 3 of the following conditions:

• the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
• the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Parents can also check Similac’s recall website or call 800-986-8540 and follow the instructions provided to find out if a formula they use is included in the recall. If a child’s regular formula is not available, parents should consult with their child’s healthcare provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices.

Georgia WIC participants may return, or exchange recalled formula to the place of purchase or contact their WIC clinic to exchange for replacement vouchers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating after five babies in three states (Minnesota, Ohio, Texas) became sick with bacterial infections after consuming the products. Four of the complaints concerned Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one complaint was Salmonella infection. All five illnesses resulted in hospitalization and Cronobacter may have contributed to death in two infants.

Additional recall information is available on the FDA website or the CDC’s website https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/outbreaks/infant-formula.html.