South Health District

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed nearly 400 cases of lung illness reported from 36 states. Six deaths have been linked to the illness. All reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping. Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC. Many patients have reported using […]

After a health scare in July 2018 Gwen Huerta, administrative support supervisor for the Irwin County Health Department, made the decision to get healthy. “I wound up in the ER and they weren’t able to get my blood pressure down. It was very, very high, almost to the point they wanted to put me in […]

South Health District is continuing to monitor Hurricane Dorian. At this time we plan to operate all health departments, clinics and offices as normal this week. We are working closely with our local EMAs and at this time are not expecting to open evacuee shelters in our area. If anything changes, local impacts are predicted […]

Subdivision Lot Size To provide for the orderly and safe development of subdivisions utilizing on-site sewage management systems, minimum lot sizes have been established. These lot sizes permit flexibility to suit soil conditions, topography and ground or surface water limitations. The following shows the minimum lot sizes based on the grouping listed in Table CT-2. […]

Hepatitis A outbreaks are on the rise across the southeast and the Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District wants to make sure our communities understand the virus and how it spreads. While South Health District, which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner Counties, has only seen […]

Public Health advocates getting vaccinated during National Immunization Awareness Month VALDOSTA – 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. Each week of NIAM focuses on a different stage of the lifespan: Pregnant women […]

Summer vacation is winding down and school will commence soon, but is your child completely ready to start school? Local public health officials encourage you to beat the rush and get vaccinations required for school age children now. “Immunizations are the best way to fight vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Reomona Thomas, RN, Immunization Program Coordinator. “Our […]

The summer heat is blazing across South Georgia. With the heat comes health risks and South Health District wants to encourage residents to take the proper precautions to avoid heat related illnesses. There are two types of heat related illness: heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate […]

Summer break means swimming! While it might not be fun to think about, it is important to remember that swimming might be a fun way to relax on a hot day but it also means you are encountering other people’s germs. One of the most dangerous germs you can encounter while swimming is Crypto. Crypto, […]

LOWNDES, ECHOLS and BROOKS COUNTY – The Georgia Department of Public Health was awarded funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Healthy Start Initiative: Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health.  These funds will support the Georgia Strong Families Program (GSP) that will be implemented in South Health District (Valdosta District) and the […]