Protection from catching and spreading influenza includes several important steps, but the first and most effective step toward fighting the flu is a flu vaccination.

Last year, Georgia experienced one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. Now, the CDC reports that Georgia is experiencing high numbers of flu-like illnesses and confirmed cases.

Don’t fall victim to the flu, North Georgians – vaccinate before it’s too late!

North Georgia Health District officials urge residents who have not received a flu shot this season to vaccinate, especially now that the peak of flu season is upon us, from mid-January through the end of February, possibly longer. It takes a couple of weeks for flu vaccine to reach its full protective potential within the body, so the timing is critical for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so right away.

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. 

Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu, but flu vaccine is the best protection.

Both regular quadrivalent flu vaccine, which protects against the four strains of flu virus that are most commonly circulating this season, and high dose flu vaccine for people age 65 and older are available at local health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties (click on the name of your county for health department contact information). The health departments accept several forms of health insurance as well as Medicare and Medicaid so that vaccination is cost-free to the client. For people without healthcare coverage, regular flu vaccine is $25 and high dose flu vaccine is $65. 

Symptoms of seasonal flu may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness and/or muscle aches. People who might have flu –particularly if they are in the groups listed above at risk for severe disease and complications – should seek medical care and start antiviral medication as soon as possible.

In addition to a flu shot, here are other steps anyone can followto help prevent getting or spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently, especially after contact with other people.
• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue afterward, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve if no tissues are available.
• Clean your hands after you cough or sneeze, even if you use a tissue. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty.
• When possible, stay home if you get the flu.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

But remember, that first step to protect against the flu is to get a flu shot! So, please go to or call the local county health department or a health care provider to be vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

Measles, also called Rubeola, is a highly contagious viral disease. The disease has not been common in the United States for many years, however it is widespread in many parts of the world including Europe, Africa, and Asia, and currently, there are some areas even in the U.S. that are experiencing measles outbreaks - get the latest outbreak updates from the CDC.

Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). These symptoms are followed by a maculopapular rash that begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck and then down the body. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards.

The GOOD news is Measles can be PREVENTED! Contact your local Health Department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County for vaccination against measles and many other preventable diseases... Just click on the name of your county to find them! Look below to learn more about measles.

Get more information about measles from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, click on each Measles informational document down below from the Georgia Department of Public Health to view the full pdf and to download and print:

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Millions of people get sick from norovirus each year. It causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea, and spreads quickly and easily to other people. If you think you have norovirus, stay hydrated and take steps to keep it from spreading.

Norovirus is very contagious. When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick.

You are most contagious

• when you have symptoms of norovirus illness, especially vomiting
• during the first few days after you recover from norovirus illness.

However, you may still be able to spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.  

You Can Spread Norovirus in Many Ways

If you are sick with norovirus, you can spread it to other people by having close contact, such as by caring for, preparing food, or sharing food or eating utensils with them. You can also spread norovirus to others by contaminating surfaces.

Take Steps to Keep Norovirus from Spreading

• Wash your hands.
  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating or preparing food.
• Handle and prepare food safely.
  Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating.

If you are sick with norovirus, do not prepare food for others while you have symptoms and for at least 2 days after symptoms go away.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces.
  After you vomit or have diarrhea, immediately clean up the entire area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. If no such cleaning product is available, you can use a solution made with 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
• Wash laundry thoroughly.
  Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may have vomit or poop on it. Handle items carefully—try not to agitate them. If available, wear disposable gloves to handle soiled clothing or linens, and wash your hands after. Wash soiled items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length then machine dry them at the highest heat setting.

Norovirus Symptoms

Most people who get sick from norovirus will have these symptoms:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• nausea
• stomach pain

Some people may also have a fever, headache, or body aches.

Norovirus can be more serious for young children, the elderly, and people with other health conditions. It can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization and even death. To learn how to stay hydrated see norovirus treatment.

Most people sick with norovirus get better in 1 to 3 days.

Norovirus is Common

19 to 21 million people get sick with norovirus each year in the United States. A person will get norovirus about 5 times during their lifetime. People of all ages can get norovirus.

You can get norovirus any time of the year, it is most common from November to April when outbreaks occur. Learn more about U.S. Trends and Outbreaks.

Chatsworth (GA) – A Chatsworth dog fought and killed a raccoon that has now tested positive for rabies. The dog is current on its rabies vaccinations so will only need a booster shot and to undergo a 45-day quarantine at home, but health officials are warning neighbors that multiple raccoons have been spotted near the property where the incident occurred and to take extra precautions against rabies.

Murray County Environmental Health Manager Jason Baum said on Wednesday, January 2, a resident on Center Hill Church Road in Chatsworth reported that the dog living at the residence had gotten into a fight with the raccoon on the property and killed it.

The Georgia Public Health Laboratory informed health officials that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

There was no human exposure in this incident.

Baum and his staff have distributed to neighboring homes in the area fliers that alert residents to the exposure and urge them to get pets boosted or vaccinated against rabies.

Murray County residents can get more information about rabies and its prevention by calling their county environmental health office at (706) 695-0266, or by logging on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website page, Rabies Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rabies/public/index.html.

Last year, Georgia experienced one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. This year, even before the typical peak of flu season, the CDC reports that Georgia is already experiencing high and widespread numbers of flu-like illnesses and confirmed cases.

Don’t fall victim to the flu, North Georgians – vaccinate before it’s too late!

North Georgia Health District officials urge residents to vaccinate before the peak of flu season, which usually begins in this region by mid-January and lasts through the end of February, possibly longer. It takes a couple of weeks for flu vaccine to reach its full protective potential within the body, so now is a critical time to get the shot for those who still need one.

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. 

Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu, but flu vaccine is the best protection.

Both regular quadrivalent flu vaccine, which protects against the four strains of flu virus that are most commonly circulating this season, and high dose flu vaccine for people age 65 and older are available at local health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties (click on the name of your county for health department contact information). The health departments accept several forms of health insurance as well as Medicare and Medicaid so that vaccination is cost-free to the client. For people without healthcare coverage, regular flu vaccine is $25 and high dose flu vaccine is $65. 

Symptoms of seasonal flu may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness and/or muscle aches. People who might have flu –particularly if they are in the groups listed above at risk for severe disease and complications – should seek medical care and start antiviral medication as soon as possible.

In addition to a flu shot, there are simple things anyone can do to help prevent getting or spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently, especially after contact with other people.
• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue afterward, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve if no tissues are available.
• Clean your hands after you cough or sneeze, even if you use a tissue. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty.
• When possible, stay home if you get the flu.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

But most importantly, before flu season peaks, people should make it a top priority to go to or call their county health department or health care provider to be vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.