Public health officials are urging Northwest Georgia residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the 2026 West Nile virus season gets underway earlier and more aggressively than it has in more than two decades.
Georgia health officials are warning expectant and young mothers that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, especially during pregnancy or around infants.
The Georgia Department of Public Health says vape products often contain highly addictive nicotine and other substances that are heated and inhaled into the lungs. The CDC says nicotine products are not safe during pregnancy and can harm a baby’s developing brain and lungs.
The warning is especially important in communities across Northwest Georgia, where young families may see vaping as less harmful than cigarettes. Health experts say secondhand exposure can also be dangerous for babies and small children, and homes and vehicles should remain smoke-free and vape-free.
Mothers who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for infants are encouraged to talk with their doctor or local health department about safe ways to quit nicotine use.
Georgia residents looking for help can contact Ready to Quit GA, the state’s tobacco quit resource.
Health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of a foodborne parasite that has sickened at least 145 people across the United States, including cases in Georgia.
Georgians may want to keep the bug spray handy this summer as experts warn that mosquito populations are expected to be especially active across the state.
A new substance misuse prevention initiative is expanding into Northwest Georgia, and organizers are seeking local partners in Chattooga and Walker counties.
The latest health inspection report for Chattooga County covering April 15 through April 30 shows a strong run of perfect scores across local schools and restaurants.
The following establishments all received a 100 health inspection score during the reporting period:
- Menlo Elementary School – inspected April 29
- Leroy Massey Elementary – inspected April 28
- Summerville Middle School – inspected April 28
- Trion School – inspected April 27
- Chattooga Head Start / Early Head Start – inspected April 22
- Chattooga High School – inspected April 16
- Domino’s Pizza in Summerville – inspected April 15
Health officials say these scores reflect proper food handling, cleanliness, and adherence to safety standards.
Residents are reminded that if they ever have concerns or complaints about a food service establishment or tourist accommodation in Chattooga County, they can contact the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department at (706) 857-3377.
The Chattooga Health Fair is coming up, and this year it will include an AngioScreen bus offering important preventative screenings. The screening checks for early warning signs of heart attack and stroke before symptoms ever appear. That is what makes it so important. Many people feel completely normal and go about their daily lives with no idea that a serious health issue could already be developing.
Health insurance costs continue to put pressure on family budgets in Georgia, and even when premiums are not the highest in the country, many households here still feel the strain more sharply than families in other states. Nationally, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage reached $26,993 in 2025, with workers paying an average of $6,850 of that total out of pocket. At the same time, workers’ wages rose 4% while family premiums rose 6%, meaning insurance costs are still growing faster than paychecks.
Newly reported 2025 health risk data for Chattooga County shows two ongoing challenges that can affect long-term health and access to care: adult obesity and a high share of residents without health insurance. Local health leaders say both factors can contribute to higher rates of chronic disease and make it harder for people to get preventive services before problems become emergencies.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed the state’s first measles case of 2026 involving an infant who was too young to receive the routine measles vaccination. Health officials say the baby, who lives in Georgia’s Coastal Health District, contracted the virus while traveling internationally and is now the focus of an exposure investigation.