Georgia Emerging Infections Program
Georgia Department 
News Releases
Quick Links
The Division of Public Health wants all Georgians to be able to enjoy the Fall with all that Georgia has to offer. Please find valuable resources here to help prepare for and ensure a safe Fall.
Influenza (flu) season in the United States runs from October to May.
Now is the time to get vaccinated against influenza. You may get a flu shot at your local health department or visit www.flucliniclocator.org for information about flu vaccination clinics in your area.
The Georgia Health Facts describes major risk factors and their associated health outcomes to inform meaningful dialogue and actions for improving the health of Georgians. more
Here you'll find news releases pertaining to public health matters that concern the 10-county Northwest Georgia Public Health district. News releases pertaining to individual counties can be found in the specific county's newsroom, which you can find on its home page.
May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
"May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. May 5, 2010 is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. We encourage (Bartow County, Floyd County, Walker County) teens to take the Prevent Teen Pregnancy test and find out how they score. It's a short, scenario-based quiz that challenges them to think carefully about what they would do in a number of risky sexual situations. Beginning May 1, throughout the month, teens can access the quiz at www.stayteen.org/quiz/."
Chad Foster to Speak to Youth at Leadership Summit on March 15th at Berry College
March 12, 2008, Rome, GA: Public Health is sponsoring their annual youth leadership summit entitled “Text Me into the Future” for youth who live in northwest Georgia. The Rome and Dalton Health Districts, through their Adolescent Health & Youth Development programs, coordinate this event for youth, but the planning of the workshops is done by the youth members of the regional youth council. Additional sponsors who assist with the cost of the Summit include Family Connection, the State Department of Labor, Floyd Health Care Foundation and members of the Community Action Partners of Northwest Georgia. The keynote speaker, Chad Foster, has brought in a record number of registrations. About 150 youth are expected at the event.Full Story
Georgia Division of Public Health Confirms Cases of West Nile Virus
August 1, 2007, Atlanta, GA: The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health confirmed the first two cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year in the state. The cases involve a 57-year-old resident of Gwinnett County and a 52-year-old resident of Johnson County. Full Story
Public Health Advisory on Wildfire Smoke
May 22, 2007, Rome, GA: Rome, GA: Northwest Georgia Public Health officials see no health-related reasons for most people to change their behavior or take special precautions against current conditions. However Dr. Wade Sellers said “we’ve had slightly elevated levels of particulate matter in Paulding County, south of Rome, and advised “unusually sensitive people to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.”
Full Story
Health Officials Concerned About Shigellosis
May 15, 2007, Rome, GA: Rome, GA: Northwest Georgia Public Health officials are investigating lab confirmed cases of shigellosis, in Bartow, Floyd and Gordon County elementary schools and daycare centers as well as a significant number of anecdotal reports of other children at the schools and centers with recent history of gastrointestinal illness. Some of the ill children have family members who also have gastrointestinal symptoms. Shigellosis is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella, which multiplies in the digestive tract and is passed out of the body in the bowel movement.
Full Story
New Immunization Requirements
April 17, 2007, Rome, GA: New state immunization requirements to help protect children from preventable childhood diseases have been announced, according to Northwest Georgia Public Health Immunization Coordinator Marie Smith. The new requirements go into effect July 1, 2007 and include two new required vaccines and additional doses of two existing required vaccines, according to Smith.
Full Story
