Yearly Archives: 2025

Illuminating 25 Years of Landmark Progress and Great American Smokeout

TOBACCO-FREE CNY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025 – Look out for purple this Thursday, November 20, 2025! Landmarks across New York State will light up in purple to celebrate 25 years of the New York State Tobacco Control Program (NYS TCP). This event is part of a statewide effort to recognize the progress made in reducing the… Read more >

The Tobacco Industry Plays Tricks Year-Round by Selling “Treats”

TOBACCO-FREE CNY, OCTOBER 29, 2025 –  This Halloween season, it is important to remember the manipulative tricks that the tobacco industry uses to addict youth. Making highly attractive products in thousands of flavors is one of the strategies the industry is using to target kids. There are more than 14,000 different flavors of tobacco products… Read more >

Onondaga County Health Department to Offer Free Drive-Thru Flu Shots at NBT Bank Stadium

ONONDAGA COUNTY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 – The Onondaga County Health Department will host a free flu vaccine drive-thru clinic on Monday, October 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium (1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse). The annual drive-thru clinic is part of the Health Department’s emergency preparedness training, designed to ensure staff are… Read more >

Blue-Green Algae Advisory Issued for Skaneateles Lake

ONONDAGA COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 –  The Onondaga County Health Department has issued a Blue-Green Algae Advisory for Skaneateles Lake following confirmation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) of a harmful algal bloom. Laboratory testing conducted by the City of Syracuse has detected Microcystin toxins, which are produced by certain types… Read more >

Two Additional Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County; Dead Bird Surveillance Partnership Helps Detect Virus Activity

ONONDAGA COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 – The Onondaga County Health Department has received reports of two additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in county residents. The first human case of the season was announced on July 16, 2025, bringing the total to three cases this year. These new cases highlight the ongoing risk… Read more >

Weather Favorable for Mosquito Spraying Planned for the Cicero Swamp

UPDATE: The aerial spraying of Cicero Swamp and the immediate surrounding areas was completed as planned. _________________________________________________ ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 4, 2025 – Current weather conditions are suitable for this evening’s aerial mosquito spraying of the Cicero Swamp and the immediate surrounding areas, provided there is no sudden drop in visibility due to wildfire smoke.… Read more >

Additional Mosquito Pools Found Positive for EEEV and WNV, Spraying of Cicero Swamp Planned

ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 1, 2025 – The Onondaga County Health Department was notified that additional mosquitoes collected from traps located in the Cicero Swamp area in the town of Cicero tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV). On July 29, the Health Department received confirmation that mosquitoes from traps… Read more >

Reality Check Youth Program: A Year in Review

TOBACCO-FREE CNY, JULY 24, 2025 –  Reality Check, the Tobacco-Free CNY youth program led by the Onondaga County Health Department, has worked hard throughout the school year to combat current tobacco issues. Many students have worked this year to stand up to Big Tobacco and dedicate their time to making their communities healthier and safer… Read more >

Tobacco-Free Chalk Art Contest Hosted by Reality Check on Saturday, July 26, 2025

LOCAL YOUTH HOST CHALK ART CONTEST AND WELLNESS FAIR TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY AND HIGHLIGHT HARMS OF TOBACCO Great photo, video, and interview opportunities CONTACT: Camryn Chaffee, 315-435-3280 ext. 4607, CamrynChaffee@ongov.net WHO: Reality Check youth from Onondaga, Cortland, Tompkins, and Chenango counties will volunteer and participate in the tobacco-free chalk art contest to educate and… Read more >

Onondaga County Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus Since 2019; First Finding of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Mosquitoes this Season

ONONDAGA COUNTY, JULY 16, 2025 – Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson announced today that the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection since 2019 has been reported in an elderly adult residing in the Town of Cicero. The individual was hospitalized, has since been discharged, and is currently recovering. Additionally, Eastern… Read more >