Georgia Coastal Health District

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.