Worth County GA Online News

Extreme heat events are the most dangerous natural hazards in the United States See the Southwest Georgia Health District Press release below:               Heat-related illnesses and deaths are the most dangerous natural hazards in the United States, says Southwest District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “But they are preventable,” she added. “And now is the [...]

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Dog tests positive for EEE in Berrien County Nashville, GA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed one positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a dog found in Berrien County. This is the second positive case of EEE found in an animal in South Georgia this year. See more below:   EEE [...]

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  PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SOUTHWEST GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT Drowning can happen quickly – take action to reduce your child’s risk   Each day, around 10 people unintentionally drown, says Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant, who added that total includes two children 14 years old or younger. “Yet most of those deaths [...]

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The American Trauma Society and the Society of Trauma Nurses are marking the 25th anniversary of National Trauma Awareness Month with their “If You’re Distracted, We’re Impacted” campaign. The national campaign encourages area residents to put down their cell phones and focus on driving safety. See more below:   Cont’d: In the past year, more [...]

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Learn the “ABCs” to lower the risk of having a stroke               Even though age, family history, gender and race or ethnicity play a role in people’s stroke risk, there are things they can do to lower their chances of having a stroke, says Southwest Health District Infectious Disease and Health Promotion Coordinator Remy [...]

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  National Infant Immunization Week spotlights importance of life-saving vaccinations; see more below:   _____________________________________________ Southwest Health District’s 14 county health departments and two farm worker programs are joining with counterparts across the country this month to emphasize the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. National Infant Immunization Week is an annual observance that [...]

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Nasty stomach virus blasting through Southwest Georgia, and there’s no vaccine. See Southwest Public Health District press release  below:   ____________________________________________________ A virus that causes diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and stomach cramps is sickening people across Southwest Georgia, and Public Health officials are urging residents to take special precautions to prevent the spread of the [...]

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Public Health lists risk factors for heart disease – and how to reduce them    Heart attack and stroke are life-threatening emergencies, warns Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant, so individuals should learn the risk factors of heart disease that can be modified, and take steps to overcome them. Cont’d below:     [...]

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Symptoms of heart disease differ in women and men-and signal need to call 911 – see information below:         Even though American women and men are victims of the same leading cause of death – cardiovascular disease – they do not necessarily have the same symptoms. As a result, women are less likely to recognize their condition and [...]

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Along with influenza, “stomach flu” is making the rounds in Southwest GA. See more below:           Peak season for flu is yet to arrive, but another nasty bug is also making its presence felt in Southwest Georgia – and there is no vaccine to prevent it and no drug to treat it. “Norovirus causes [...]

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This season’s flu vaccine good match to influenza strains circulating, says Public Health         Children and young adults seem to be hardest hit by influenza this season, but the good news is that the flu vaccine contains the right mix to be effective against the main strains of flu in circulation, says [...]

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A limited number of free insect repellent and larvicide briquettes to help combat mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are available from environmental health specialists at the 14 county health departments in Southwest Health District, including Worth County Health Department. See more below:     “A grant from The Friends of Southwest Georgia Public Health, [...]

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“Like” District Public Health on Facebook for chance to win emergency kit September is National Preparedness Month, and Southwest District Public Health is reminding residents of the four steps to take to be ready for disasters – get a kit, make a plan, be involved and be informed. See details below:     “As an [...]

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A West Nile virus human case under investigation in Miller County; horse confirmed. As counts increase, Worth also has one human case and one equine case. See the Southwest Health District press release below regarding an update from disease investigators  as well as tips to avoid contact with the infection       COLQUITT, GA – A suspected human [...]

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County health departments to begin offering seasonal flu vaccine Sept. 4 Southwest Public Health District’s 14 county health departments will begin offering seasonal influenza vaccinations on Tuesday, Sept, 4, says District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. Continued below:      Cont’d… “We have an ample supply of both nasal mist and flu shots,” Grant said. [...]

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More WNV cases, including 3 deaths, heighten Public Health concerns. See more below:         ALBANY— With the number of human West Nile virus cases in Southwest Health District climbing to 12 and including three fatalities, Public Health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites. “There have been an unusually [...]

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             August is National Immunization Awareness Month – and Southwest Health District is using the observance as a reminder that timely immunizations protect the health of people of all ages. See more below: “Most of us remember to get vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, measles or chicken pox; but, [...]

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Four more human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Southwest Health District this week, bringing the season’s total to five, and prompting Public Health officials to remind residents to take precautions against mosquito bites. See more below:       “August is peak season for West Nile virus,” said Southwest Health District [...]

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Public Health urges precautions after 1st West Nile case of season is reported. See this & more below:         ALBANY- A 64-year-old Dougherty County man is recovering from the first reported case of West Nile virus in Southwest Health District. “Unofficial test results were reported to us on July 13 indicating that he had been exposed [...]

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Southwest Health District describes heat-related illness emergency symptoms. See more below:         Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided, cautions Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. Knowing who is at greatest risk of heat-related illness, the symptoms and how to respond is especially important during heat waves. “During [...]

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Last year, nearly 1 million Americans experienced herpes zoster, or shingles, a disease that causes a painful skin rash. In addition, shingles can lead to severe pain that can last for months or years after the rash disappears. “If you are age 60 or older, we recommend you get the shingles vaccine,” said Southwest Health District [...]

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Stroke can strike anybody at any time, cautions Southwest Health District; see details and warning signs information below: ______________________________________________ Strokes can strike anyone, at any time or any age and regardless of gender, education or occupation, warns Southwest Health District. And every four minutes, a stroke claims another life. “In the United States, stroke is the fourth leading [...]

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Health departments highlight effort to immunize infants against life-threatening diseases  Southwest Health District’s 14 county health departments are joining with counterparts across the globe this month to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. See more below: ______________________________________________  National Infant Immunization Week is an annual observance that since 1994 has served as a [...]

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Usually West Nile virus is a seasonal epidemic that flares up in the summer – peaking in South Georgia in August – and continuing into the fall. But this year an unusually warm winter and unseasonably warm spring may be behind higher than average mosquito activity across the region. See more below:   __________________________________________ Public [...]

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Phoebe Putney is conducting a study which may prove to be of great benefit  for those recently diagnosed with Stage I or II Colon Cancer. Find out how this may affect you or a loved one in a PPMH provided press release below:                         [...]

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In this Worth Health segment: The District Health Director encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities - Guidelines for use of wellness breaks and more; Another way of keeping a community healthy is having food establishments with great inspection scores like in Worth! - Local Restaurant/food scores below as provided by Worth County Environmental Health in  Sylvester, GA. Telephone: (229) 777-2150. [...]

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Worth County  Health Department now offering shingles vaccine. A vaccine recommended for people 60 and older to prevent shingles is now available at Worth County Health Department. “The older a person is, the more severe the effects of shingles typically are,” Southwest Health District Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant said. “The National Centers for Disease Control and [...]

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Why get your flu shot? Georgia ranks near the bottom in vaccinations – See an important message below from the Southwest Georgia Health District:           Only 40.5% of Georgians were vaccinated against seasonal influenza in 2010-2011, according to a survey by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That puts the state at [...]

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Medicare patients are now covered for an annual wellness visit and a personalized prevention plan. Sylvester Family Practice offers more information which is posted below our Worth Health sponsor ads: _______________________________________  

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Worth County Health Department, Humane Society to sponsor free rabies clinic Nov. 12th. Free Rabies vaccinations available at two Worth County locations. See details below:         On Nov. 12, Worth County residents will have the opportunity to vaccinate their dogs against rabies quickly and conveniently – for free. “This Saturday, the Worth [...]

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