W
elcome to the Southwest Health District, a 14 county public health district
serving over 300,000 citizens. Our mission is to prevent disease, injury, and disability; promote health and well-being; and prepare for disasters.
News
CDC confirmation: Colquitt County E. coli cases officially part of the multi-state outbreak
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now citing a Colquitt County case as part of a multi-state outbreak linked to beef infected with E. coli 0157. 07/16/08
Keep guard up against disease-carrying mosquitoes, urges Public Health Director
With the peak season for West Nile Virus coming up, Southwest Georgia Public Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant is reminding residents to take precautions against being bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes. 07/11/08
Ground beef from restaurant tests positive for E. coli in Colquitt County investigation
Ground beef taken from the Barbecue Pit, the restaurant that has been the common thread in a Colquitt County disease outbreak, has tested positive for Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157. 07/09/08
New information helping disease investigators “close in” on E. coli source
Southwest Georgia Public Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant said today that disease investigators have uncovered new clues that tainted beef may be the culprit behind an E. coli outbreak in Colquitt County that is continuing to sicken people. 07/08/08
Public Health confirms eighth case of E. coli in Colquitt County disease investigation
The Barbecue Pit, the restaurant that closed voluntarily July 3 at Southwest Georgia Public Health District’s request, remains shut today as disease investigators announced the tally of E. coli patients has climbed to eight confirmed and four presumed cases. 07/07/08
Restaurant voluntarily closes at request of Public Health officials investigating E. coli cluster in Colquitt County
At the request of Southwest Georgia Public Health District, a Moultrie restaurant is voluntarily closing temporarily to give disease investigators full access during their countywide hunt to determine the source of a bacterial infection that has sickened scores of residents within the past month. 07/03/08
Southwest District Public Health Deputy Health Director Brenda Greene said today that the investigation into a cluster of confirmed Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157 cases in Colquitt County is intensifying. 07/03/08
No new confirmations of E. coli, but on-going investigation finds people still falling ill
No new cases of E. coli have been confirmed in the cluster now being investigated by Public Health in Colquitt County, but patients are continuing to seek medical treatment for symptoms that suggest the infection remains active, new samples are being tested and a the team of medical investigators is continuing to pursue leads. 07/02/08
Public Health confirms four cases of E. coli so far, but no common thread yet
Southwest Public Health District announced today that a Moultrie-based disease investigation has turned up four patients with lab-confirmed cases of Escherichia coli (E. coli). 07/01/08
Public Health investigates apparent disease cluster in Colquitt County
Public health disease investigators are looking into what appears to be an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Colquitt County. Two cases of E. coli have been confirmed and around a dozen tests are pending, said Southwest Georgia Public Health District Deputy Director Brenda Greene today. 06/30/08 E-coli Factsheet
Salmonella in Tomatoes
The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health has identified seven Salmonella Saintpaul cases in Georgia that match the nationwide outbreak. Georgia is one of 23 other states impacted by the outbreak. Six of the state’s cases are in the east metro Atlanta area and one case is in northeast Georgia. There are now 228 confirmed Salmonella Saintpaul cases nationwide..more. Salmonella factsheet.
Smoking Cessation Classes - Sponsored by the Thomas County Health Department
Extreme Heat: Because most heat-related deaths occur during the summer, and because weather projections for this year indicate a hotter-than-average summer, people should be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. Overview , Q & A's , Heat Stroke Exhaustion , Extreme Heat Tips
Residents of Southwest Georgia are facing a growing healthcare threat as climate changes heat up the region, spawn more and fiercer hurricanes, trigger droughts and wildfires and cultivate an environment for new diseases and viruses to emerge, warns the area’s top public health official.
Community Health Survey
Teenagers who have sex run the risk of unplanned pregnancy, catching and transmitting diseases and limiting their chances of pursuing educational and employment opportunities. The problems associated with teens having sex affect our entire community. We can make a difference with this growing problem. You can help, by clicking here to access our community health survey and honestly answering its questions. Sexual Behavior Press release
