Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Thursday, August 02, 2012  Updated with video; The Georgia Department of Public Health announced the eight-county metropolitan Atlanta area has seen an increase in pertussis or whooping cough.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011  Older kids need vaccines, and fall's a good time to check even if school doesn't

Friday, August 12, 2011  Along with young children, the Southwest Public Health District is encouraging college students and adults to get their vaccinations updated.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011  Updated with Video; The Dougherty County Health Department's Saturday clinic aims to be accessible to parents with busy schedules and children that need immunized.

Monday, June 27, 2011  Health officials are asking parents to get their children’s vaccinations up to date now to beat the back-to-school rush.

Thursday, May 05, 2011  Health officials say 30 children have confirmed cases of chickenpox in schools and daycares. This is the third vaccine preventable disease to come up in Southwest Georgia.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011  In 2010, the United States reported more than 21,000 cases of whooping cough, mostly in children younger than six months old, including in Southwest Georgia.

Friday, April 22, 2011  Public Health officials say there were 21,000 cases of whooping cough in children younger than six months in 2010.

Sunday, July 25, 2010  The Southwest Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed that we have 17 cases of pertussis.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010  Voters between the ages of 18 and 64 can receive a free tetanus vaccine if they vote early.

Monday, July 12, 2010  Southwest Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant says 12 children and two adults have symptoms of whooping cough - a runny nose, sneezing and fever, and a cough that slowly gets worse. After a couple weeks, the cough develops into spasms or fits followed in children or infants by a whooping sound as they try to catch their breath.