South Health District

If you have not gotten your flu vaccine for the 2018-2019 flu season, do not delay any longer. Flu activity is higher today than it was at this point last year which was classified as a high severity season across all age groups by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last year Georgia experienced one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. Don’t fall victim to the flu this year, vaccinate before it’s too late. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is Dec. 2-8, and DPH encourages all Georgians 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine.

In collaboration with Valdosta State University, the ID program will host a World AIDS Day event on Friday, November 30 from 11:30 am – 1 pm at VSU in the University Center, Cypress Room.

During Georgia’s last flu season, five children died and hundreds were hospitalized. It was the worst flu season in the state on record. Nationally, 177 children died from flu- associated complications, and 80 percent were not appropriately vaccinated against the flu for their age.

At all times, the permit holder has the responsibility and the obligation to the Health Authority and to the consumer to protect the public health from imminent health hazards that may be present and associated with his/her food service operation.

Ben Hill, Berrien, Irwin, Tift and Turner County Health Departments will remain closed Friday, October 12 due to power outages from Hurricane Michael.

All public health facilities in Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner Counties will be closed Wednesday, October 10 and Thursday, October 11 due to Hurricane Michael.

To be prepared for this flu season, CDC recommends getting your vaccine by the end of October. Once you have received your flu vaccine, it takes approximately two weeks for antibodies to develop in your body. Therefore, you should get the vaccine before the flu virus begins spreading around you.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed one human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Echols County. Three horses have tested positive for mosquito-borne diseases in Brooks, Cook and Lowndes County this season.

The month of August is about bringing awareness to immunizations, and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) wants Georgians to think ahead and get the required school vaccinations.