Author Archives: ongovhealth

Preventing Rabies Exposure from Wild Animals

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, reminds Onondaga County residents to take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from rabies. Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Fortunately, human rabies is rare in the United States. Although there is no treatment… Read more >

Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Ticks and Mosquitoes

The Onondaga County Health Department is encouraging residents to protect themselves from mosquito and tick bites. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta reminds residents, “Now that warmer weather has finally arrived, it is important to consistently use personal protection measures to reduce the risk of mosquito and tick bites that may transmit West Nile virus (WNV),… Read more >

Boil Water Order LIFTED for Town of Skaneateles

The Onondaga County Health Department has lifted the Boil Water Order for the residents in the Town of Skaneateles who were affected by a water main break (see May 2 press release here: https://bit.ly/2JbQVCC). The water main break has been repaired and testing has confirmed that it is safe to resume drinking tap water. For… Read more >

BOIL WATER ORDER: Loss of Pressure in Town of Skaneateles Water

Customers of the Town of Skaneateles living on Route 20 (between County Line Road and Fuller Street), Transportation Drive, Hillside Drive, Franklin Road, Clapp Road, Milford Drive, W. Elizabeth Drive (between Milford Drive and Franklin Road), and County Line Road (between Route 20 and Old Seneca Turnpike) are hereby ordered by the Onondaga County Health… Read more >

National Infant Immunization Week

Infants are at high risk of serious diseases. It is important that infants be protected by getting all of the recommended immunizations (vaccines) to build defense against serious diseases. National Infant Immunization Week is recognized during the week of April 27 – May 4, 2019. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to… Read more >

FREE Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests Are Available

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. All men and women are at risk for colorectal cancer but it occurs most often in adults over the age of 50. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and fourth in women. The best prevention for colorectal cancer is to undergo colorectal cancer screening… Read more >

WIC Clinics Closing

Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the Onondaga County Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) clinics at Gifford Street, Bayberry Plaza, and St. Michael’s Lutheran church will be closing at 3:00 pm today.… Read more >

Community Urged to Take Precautions During Severe Cold

Due to the Winter Weather Advisory that has been issued, Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta recommends that Onondaga County residents take precautions against cold-related injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr. Gupta explained, “With the extreme cold in the forecast, people, especially the elderly and young children, need to take measures to protect themselves from hypothermia… Read more >

FREE Tests to Detect Cervical Cancer are Available

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. All women are at risk for cervical cancer but it occurs most often in women over the age of 30. Approximately 12,000 U.S. women get cervical cancer each year. Cervical cancer is easily prevented with regular screening tests and follow-up and is highly curable when found and treated… Read more >

Flu Vaccine Myths and Misconceptions

By Karyn Johnson, Public Health Educator Over the years I have heard many reasons why people choose to get vaccinated against the flu. Unfortunately, I have also heard a few reasons why people choose not to get a flu vaccine (injectable or nasal spray), many of those reasons are based on incorrect information. Even though… Read more >