The Georgia Department
of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the state's
first case of fungal meningitis related to contaminated epidural steroidal injections.

The patient is a 66-year-old female who lives in Bibb County (Macon), Ga. The patient is clinically stable, not hospitalized and is under the care of an infectious disease physician.  

The patient received an injection of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate from one of three implicated lots prepared by the New England Compounding Center (NECC), in Framingham, Mass. The patient is among those who reported
symptoms after receiving an injection for back pain at the Forsyth Street Ambulatory Surgery Center in Macon.

At least two other drugs produced by NECC also are being investigated by FDA. One is an ophthalmic drug used in eye surgery and the other is a cardioplegic used to paralyze the heart during heart transplant surgery.
 

  

 

Winford Duckett of Jasper is vaccinated by North Georgia Health District 1-2 nurse Nancy Loyed.

In what world are drive-by shots a good thing?

In the world of public health, of course, where people are urged to drive by and arm themselves against the flu at their local drive-by flu shot clinic.

County health departments in North Georgia Health District 1-2, based in Dalton, have successfully conducted these clinics each fall since 2007.

Almost 2,000 North Georgians were vaccinated and are now better prepared to face the flu season due to clinics held this year in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties.

"Not only do these clinics serve the purpose of making it easy and convenient for people to get their flu shots, but these are also opportunities for each health department to coordinate with community partners in testing their ability to quickly dispense medications in a widespread public health crisis such as pandemic influenza," said Marie Smith, RN, BSN, district immunization and child health coordinator.

Vaccinations were administered within just a few minutes of participants' arrival at each clinic. The efficient operation of each clinic was greatly enhanced by the use of state-of-the-art mobile mass vaccination stations, each of which can be used to serve as many as 5,000 people before restocking is necessary.
   
 

Sope Creek Elementary students lead community partners in physical activities during the event. The Sope Creek Elementary Sunrise program, an early morning physical activity routine, was recognized by First Lady Sandra Deal.

The Cobb2020 Partnership for a Healthier Cobb County recently hosted The Weight is Over...A Healthier Cobb Starts NOW! at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre for key Cobb business and community leaders to learn about the growing health problems and barriers to health services in Cobb County.

More than 350 guests from the community attended and were introduced to the Cobb2020 Partnership, which is designed to improve the overall health status of Cobb County. Guests received an introduction to the Health Improvement Plan that will address this critical issue and incorporate necessary actions that support a healthier Cobb. The event was provided through sponsorships from Kaiser Permanente, WellStar, Cobb Public Health, Cobb County Government, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Life University, Whole Foods Market, Lockheed and many others.

"Our goal was to bring together community leaders and actively involve them in the Cobb2020 Health Improvement Initiative," said Jack Kennedy, director of Cobb & Douglas Public Health and the Cobb2020 Steering Committee vice chair. "This initiative is far too big for any one person or organization to accomplish. However, by working together and pledging to impact our circles of influence, we will improve the health of Cobb County."
   
 

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-Story by DPH Communications