Author Archives: ongovhealth

Rise in Opioid Overdoses in Onondaga County

Over the last few years, Onondaga County, like much of New York State, has seen a dramatic increase in opioid overdose fatalities, including 156 and 186 deaths in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Factors such as the proliferation of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, as well as their combination with methamphetamines, and cocaine, have driven this… Read more >

Oneida Shores Beach Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department will be monitoring the lake water daily until… Read more >

Jamesville Beach Closed for Swimming Due to Visual Presence of Algal Bloom

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Jamesville Beach located in the Town of LaFayette is closed for swimming due to the visual presence of an algal bloom. Water sampling will be conducted to confirm there are no toxins before the beach is reopened. Please note that this does not affect the park’s other… Read more >

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes SYRACUSE, NY:  This week is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, a good reminder to protect yourself and your family from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes now and throughout the fall season. Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta explains, “We have seen a high number of mosquitoes due to… Read more >

Reality Check Program Host FREE Smoke-Free Movie Event on June 17

On Friday, June 17, the Reality Check program of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties is hosting a FREE smoke-free movie event showing “Angry Birds” at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse, NY. This event is in conjunction with Reality Check’s smoke-free media initiative to de-normalize and de-glamorize tobacco use and imagery on screen. Reality Check is… Read more >

World No Tobacco Day Calls Attention to the Environmental Risks of Tobacco

Protecting the Environment is Just One More Reason To Quit SYRACUSE, NY: The Tobacco-Free CNY program partnered with the Reality Check youth program to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31st. This year, the World No Tobacco Day global campaign highlights tobacco’s threat to the environment and aims to educate the public about the… Read more >

Fight the Bite: Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes and Ticks

SYRACUSE, NY:  With some sunny days in the forecast and the arrival of spring in Central New York, the Onondaga County Health Department urges the public to protect themselves from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks now and throughout the fall season. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta reminds residents, “After the long winter in Central… Read more >

The Pandemic’s Newest Facelift with Omicron BA.2 Subvariants!

As we are seeing more contagious new Omicron subvariants BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1 in Onondaga County and Central New York, I cannot help comparing this to the latest version of a do-over by this SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease. I have been told that no one wants to hear the same prevention messages of the… Read more >

Reality Check Program Says Rate Smoking “R”

This year for International Week of Action for Smoke-Free Movies, the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) Reality Check group spoke out against the tobacco industry using entertainment media to market their products to youth by creating and displaying posters with facts and statements throughout their school to educate their peers. International Week of… Read more >

New Screening Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer

By Kara Verbanic, Public Health Educator Onondaga County Health Department Cancer Services Program March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society are now recommending colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer… Read more >