The City of LaFayette says it has identified the source of elevated E. coli levels that have kept the swimming area at Queen City Lake closed in recent weeks.
With the dog days of August bringing continued heat to Northwest Georgia, public health officials are reminding residents to take precautions outdoors while also beginning to prepare for the upcoming fall respiratory illness season.
Dr. Gary Voccio, Health Director for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Northwest Health District, recommends scheduling outdoor activities during the early morning or late evening whenever possible rather than during the hottest part of the day.
Residents are also encouraged to drink plenty of water, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid heavy foods during periods of high heat.
At the same time, health officials are looking ahead to fall and flu season. Voccio says this is a good time to consider vaccinations against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, particularly for older adults and young children.
With a new school year getting underway, parents are also encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on recommended vaccinations.
Additional information about immunizations and vaccinations is available through the Northwest Health District.
A new statewide poll conducted by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health found that one in three Georgia families with children experience food insecurity, meaning they do not always have reliable access to enough nutritious food.
The survey found that 33% of Georgia families with children reported low or very low food security, while 18% said they had skipped meals, gone hungry or eaten less because they could not afford enough food. Researchers also found that many parents are sacrificing their own meals to ensure their children have enough to eat.
Food insecurity was found to be especially severe in rural parts of the state. According to the poll, 43% of rural Georgia families with children reported food insecurity, compared with 31% of families in urban and suburban areas.
Researchers warned the problem could worsen as changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect, potentially making it more difficult for some families to qualify for benefits and increasing administrative costs for the state.
The poll surveyed 1,002 Georgia parents and highlights growing concerns about rising grocery prices, access to food assistance and the impact food insecurity can have on children’s physical health, mental well-being and academic performance.
Georgia’s medical cannabis program is experiencing its fastest growth since it launched a decade ago, with the number of registered patients increasing by more than 22 percent in just over a month following new state law changes.
Queen City Lake Beach in LaFayette will remain closed into next week as city officials continue investigating elevated E. coli levels in the water.
The City of LaFayette says daily testing has been conducted in an effort to determine the source of the contamination. While E. coli levels remain elevated, officials say the testing patterns have been inconclusive. The city is expanding the testing area to collect additional data and develop a clearer picture of the problem.
City officials are also working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for guidance concerning the non-native duck population around the lake, which may be contributing to the elevated bacteria levels.
Residents have also reported a sewer leak located some distance from the shoreline. The line is privately owned, and the city says the organization responsible for it has begun making repairs. That work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Officials say they do not want to draw conclusions before the testing is complete and will continue collecting data while the beach remains closed.
Georgia continues to face a growing shortage of physicians and other healthcare providers, with rural communities experiencing some of the greatest challenges in accessing medical care.
Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants as the source of a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause prolonged watery diarrhea.
The Chattooga County Environmental Health Department has released food service inspection scores for the first half of July, with local restaurants earning strong marks overall.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging residents to take additional precautions when handling fresh fruits and vegetables following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The American Red Cross is asking donors to roll up their sleeves after declaring an emergency blood shortage caused by a sharp decline in donations during June. The organization says its blood supply dropped nearly 25 percent, creating a growing gap between available blood and hospital demand. The shortage is especially critical for platelets, O-positive blood, and B-negative blood.