NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT

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    NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Health District equips Gilmer County with emergency cots and trailer

Written by: Jennifer King
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Category: Media Releases
Ken Ellington and David Huskey with trailer containing 50 cots.for-webELLIJAY, GA – New cots and a trailer to house and transport them will enable emergency responders to shelter more residents in times of disaster in Gilmer County.
 
Officials of North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health recently delivered the trailer containing 50 cots to the Gilmer County Department of Public Safety as part of a wider effort to prepare communities for emergencies. The equipment was purchased through designated Public Health Emergency Preparedness federal funds.
 
Tony Pritchett, Director of the Gilmer County Department of Public Safety, said, “We very much appreciate the health district for seeing the need for this equipment and for supplying the trailer and cots.”
 
As the result of hazardous winter weather and floods that sometimes occur in Gilmer County, there is often the need to open shelters for residents affected by these conditions.
 
“Gilmer County is the area within our health district that is at greatest risk for displaced persons due to winter weather power outages or flooding from heavy rains,” said David Huskey, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the North Georgia Health District. “Therefore, this county is in greatest need of shelter supplies. Through the partnership between the North Georgia Health District and the Gilmer County Department of Public Safety, these supplies will now be readily available.”
 
For more information about how individuals, families and communities can prepare for emergencies, click here on the North Georgia Health District website at nghd.org/district-programs/ep.
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Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Program offered through North Georgia Health District

Written by: Jennifer King
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Category: Media Releases

prep-1Dalton (GA) – The North Georgia Health District is now accepting appointments for its new Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) program. The program is designed for people who are not HIV positive, but are at high risk of exposure to HIV and acquiring the infection.

PrEP consists of a single pill, containing two active medications, taken every day. This pill helps keep the virus from infecting an individual who is HIV negative but is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use. The pill can also be used as part of a treatment regimen for those who already are HIV positive.

  

PrEP is an HIV intervention tool and used as part of a comprehensive sexual plan. When used with condoms and other prevention methods, it provides the best defense against HIV infection. People who use PrEP must commit to taking the drug every day and seeing their health care provider for follow-up every three months.

  

To participate in the program, individuals should contact the North Georgia Health District PrEP Program at 706-281-2360 to schedule an appointment with the benefit coordinator. Clients will need proof of residency, proof of income and proof of insurance.

  

The clinic is located at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton, Georgia and is open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Additional Information:

AID Atlanta HIV/STD INFO LINE: 1-800-551-2728 or 404-876-9944

PrEPLine: 1-855-448-7737

DPH PrEP Toolkit: dph ga prep toolkit

CDC PrEP fact sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/prevention_prep_factsheet.pdf

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Walgreens FREE Hep C Testing Event in Dalton

Written by: Jennifer King
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Category: Media Releases

Walgreens Hep C Testing Event-2016-for web

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TIP 'N TOSS! Prevent Zika Virus Spread in North Georgia

Written by: Jennifer King
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Category: Media Releases
Zika Mosquito labeled-smNorth GA – The North Georgia Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health is joining the statewide public health campaign in urging residents to clean up around their homes, their yards and their communities and discard unnecessary items that can hold water. TIP 'N TOSS after every rainfall to reduce the number of mosquitoes and prevent the spread of Zika virus in North Georgia.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes – both species are found in Georgia. Aedes mosquitoes typically bite during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon hours but some bite at night. They are called “container breeders” because they lay eggs in any type of container with water – even something as small as a bottle cap if it has water in it.
 
As of this date, no locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Georgia, but cases have been reported in returning travelers.
 
One of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of Zika virus is controlling the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around the home and in the yard.
 
TIP 'N TOSS! After every rainfall, TIP out water in flowerpots, planters, children’s toys and wading pools, and buckets. If it holds water and you don’t need it (old tires, bottles,cans), TOSS it out. Look for small bodies of water such as drainage ponds, tree stumps and tire ruts. Clean out gutters, remove piles of leaves and keep vegetation cut low to prevent landing sites for adult mosquitoes.
 
For containers without lids or that are too big to TIP 'N TOSS (bird baths, garden pools), use larvicides such as mosquito dunks or mosquito torpedoes and follow the label instructions. Larvicides will not hurt birds or animals.
 
Homeowners associations and neighborhoods, along with city and county governments, are encouraged to sponsor community cleanup days.
 
Mosquito Neighbor - Cartoon by Raymond King-for webMosquitoes do not recognize property lines, so controlling their numbers has to be a collaborative effort among neighbors. Public health is increasing mosquito surveillance and educating residents, but the greatest impact will be when individuals take personal responsibility for their homes, yards and communities.
 
It is also important to protect against mosquito bites. Health officials advise to use EPA-registered  insect repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Wear light colored clothing with long sleeves, long pants and socks to help prevent mosquito bites.
 
To learn more about Zika protection and prevention or TIP 'N TOSS, log on to dph.ga.gov/zika or cdc.gov/zika.
 
Also, be sure to read MOSQUITO CONTROL AROUND YOUR HOME by Raymond King, District Environmental Health Director.
NGHD ZIKA Prevention image4Web
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