Weather Favorable for Mosquito Spraying Planned for Town of Lysander

The weather forecast is favorable for the truck spraying planned in areas of the Town of Lysander after 7pm tonight, Monday, September 20. Please see the original announcement at https://healthnews.ongov.net/mosquito-spraying-planned-9-17-21/ that contains pesticide information and recommended preparations for those who live in the spray area. Please see an updated spray map at https://www.ongov.net/health/env/documents/SprayMapLysander.pdf.

Update on Skaneateles Lake Water Sampling

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta was notified this evening that the samples taken earlier today in Skaneateles Lake show non-detectable levels of toxin in drinking water reaching customers of the system, including the City of Syracuse, the Town of Dewitt, the Village of Skaneateles, the Town of Skaneateles, the Town of Elbridge, the Village of Elbridge, and the Village of Jordan. Although low levels of toxin continue to be found in untreated drinking water, the treated water shows no indication of toxin.

The New York State Department of Health has advised the City of Syracuse that sampling is not necessary over the weekend since the algal blooms have dissipated. The City will continue to visually monitor the lake for the presence of blooms over the weekend and routine water sampling will start again on Monday.

The Onondaga County Health Department reminds residents to NEVER drink untreated surface water, whether or not harmful algal blooms are present. Residents who draw water directly from the lake through near-shore PRIVATE INTAKES should take the following precautions:

DO NOT USE the water for potable purposes such as drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth, preparing food, or washing dishes, or for pets.
If either algae blooms or scums are present in the vicinity of your water intake, do not use the water for bathing.

To be clear, these recommendations apply only to residents with private intakes; in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet radiation (UV), and water filtration units do not remove the toxins associated with harmful algal blooms.

Learn more about blue-green algae:

Blue-Green Algae and Health: health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/
Dogs and Algae Blooms: dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

Low Levels of Algal Toxins Detected in Skaneateles Lake Water

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta announced today that the City of Syracuse has reported low levels of algal toxins found in their routine water samples of the untreated intakes in Skaneateles Lake. Results are well below health advisory limits for the general population. Skaneateles Lake is used by several municipalities as a public drinking water supply. Small shoreline algal blooms have been confirmed on the lake this week. Samples of both raw and treated drinking water are being tested now and the community will be informed of the results. Enhanced monitoring through daily testing will continue until all samples consistently return to non-detectable results.

DO NOT USE the water for potable purposes such as drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth, preparing food, or washing dishes, or for pets.
If either algae blooms or scums are present in the vicinity of your water intake, do not use the water for bathing.

The Health Department recommends taking the following additional precautions:

Do not swim, wade, or fish near algae blooms or surface scums
Do not let dogs wade, drink the water, or walk on algae-contaminated shoreline debris
Rinse yourself and pets with clean water if exposed to algae
Anyone who experiences skin or eye irritation or gastrointestinal illness should contact their health care provider.

Learn more about blue-green algae:

Blue-Green Algae and Health: health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/
Dogs and Algae Blooms: dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

Death of Horse Due to West Nile Virus Infection, Spraying Planned for Town of Lysander

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory that a horse in the Town of Lysander has died from West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Dr. Gupta explains that, “West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito; therefore it is extremely important that people use personal protection measures to reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.”

There have been no virus findings in mosquito surveillance traps in the area where the horse was located, however, due to the death of the horse the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) will be intensifying trapping in this area and is planning to conduct truck spraying. The spraying will take place on Monday, September 20 after 7:00 pm, weather permitting. The product used will be Anvil 10+10 ULV and a label can be found at https://www.ongov.net/health/documents/AnvilProductLabel.pdf A written copy of the label can be provided by calling 315.435.1649.

This proactive measure is done in an attempt to interrupt the virus cycle in the mosquito population. If weather or wind conditions are unfavorable, the spraying will be conducted on the next appropriate day. Residents in the spray areas will be also notified by phone through the 911 emergency notification system. A map of the spray area is available at https://www.ongov.net/health/env/documents/SprayMapLysander.pdf.

If you live in the spray area, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the day of the scheduled spraying, it is recommended that you:

Stay indoors and keep your windows closed for one hour after the area has been sprayed.
Keep your pets indoors if possible.
Set your window air conditioners to circulate indoor air. It is safe to use your central air conditioning.
Keep outdoor gardens covered and rinse vegetables before eating.
Be sure children’s toys, outdoor furniture, and clothes on outdoor clotheslines are brought inside. If toys or clothes are left outdoors, wash each thoroughly with soap and water before using and launder clothes before wearing them.
Close your car windows and car vents if you are driving during the spraying.

This season OCHD reported one finding of WNV, in a mosquito pool from a trap located near the Cicero Swamp on August 25. There have been no findings of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in Onondaga County this year. As a whole, numbers of mosquitoes in the surveillance traps remain average for the season, however, the recent heavy rains and heat have resulted in the mosquito population being higher than usual for this time of year.

West Nile Virus
Most people who are infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. One in five people with mild cases may develop fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, or rash. People with severe illness usually have a high fever, sudden headache, neck stiffness, altered mental status, inflammation of the brain or membrane of the spinal cord (encephalitis or meningitis). People at greatest risk of developing severe disease are those over 60 years of age and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or who have received organ transplants.

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
This finding of WNV in a horse serves as a reminder for all residents that the virus is present and to be consistent in protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites no matter where you live.

Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period of time. Use insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and other products that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use for safety and effectiveness. Insect repellents should be applied only to intact skin or over clothing. Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin—apply to your own hands and then put it on the child. Repellent should never be used on babies younger than 2 months old.

Given the significant amount of rainfall in Onondaga County recently, it is extremely important to remove mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating any standing water that may have collected on your property:

Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots or containers that hold water
Remove all tires from your property
Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
Change water in birdbaths at least every four days
Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
Drain water from pool covers
Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates

The Onondaga County Health Department remains in close contact with the New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation. For the weekly mosquito pool test results and for more information about personal protection measures against mosquitoes, visit www.ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html or contact the Onondaga County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health at 315. 435.1649.

Syracuse Teen Named “CNY Reality Check Youth Ambassador of the Year”

Ali Kareem honored for his commitment to the fight against Big Tobacco

Pictured: Karyn Johnson, County Executive Ryan McMahon, Ali Kareem, and Dr. Indu Gupta

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, joined by Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta and Tobacco-Free CNY Coordinator Karyn Johnson, recognized Ali Kareem, a student at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central who was honored with the 2021 New York State Central New York Reality Check Youth Ambassador of the Year Award. Reality Check, an initiative of Tobacco-Free CNY, is a statewide youth-led movement aimed at creating the first tobacco-free generation.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “We are so pleased to honor Ali Kareem’s dedication to the health of our community, especially his generation, who will become the leaders of tomorrow.” McMahon continued, “Congratulations to Ali, and thank you for your commitment to making Onondaga County and Central New York a healthier place to live, work, and play.”

Health Commissioner Indu Gupta said, “This award honors the outstanding work of young leaders in countering the tobacco industry’s deceptive and manipulative marketing tactics in communities across New York State. We are proud of Ali and his efforts to foster environments supportive of tobacco-free norms through public education efforts, mobilizing their peers, and educational outreach to decision-makers.”

Kareem’s accomplishments include planning and carrying out activities and events in the Central New York region to raise awareness about the negative impact of tobacco and what youth, other community members, and elected leaders can do to help prevent youth initiation of tobacco use. As part of these activities, he has traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators to raise awareness of the manipulative and deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry and what can be done to fight against this. Kareem has been particularly passionate about educating his peers and community about tobacco marketing in movies and marketing targeting youth at the point of sale in his community.

Karyn Johnson, Program Coordinator for the Tobacco-Free CNY program, said, “Ali is an outstanding young leader who continues to make a difference in his school and within his community.” Johnson continued, “He has shown tremendous dedication and commitment to Reality Check, even attending weekly virtual meetings and participating in virtual activities and events since the start of the pandemic. His work to make his community a healthier place to live has been an inspiration to his peers.”

Reality Check of New York is a youth-led movement in New York State that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education. Visit realitycheckofny.com for more information.

Overdose Awareness Day—August 31st

Local communities around the world are coming together on Overdose Awareness Day to remember those who have passed away or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. In 2020, the CDC reported that 93,000 people died from an opioid overdose in the midst of the pandemic, with 156 of those deaths occurring locally in Onondaga County. Dr. Indu Gupta, Onondaga County Commissioner of Health explained that “efforts to stop the opioid crisis are more vital than ever, as the pandemic has exacerbated risk factors such as high unemployment rates, social isolation, and despair, as well as the disruption of available treatment and harm reduction support services that individuals with substance use may depend on.”

Observed on August 31^st every year, International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. Locally, the Onondaga County Health Department has partnered for the second year in a row with Prevention Network for an Overdose Awareness Day event on Tuesday, August 31^st. There will be drive-thru naloxone training, fentanyl testing strips, educational materials, and more. The event will take place in the Prevention Network parking lot at 906 Spencer Street, Syracuse from 3:00 to 7: 00 pm. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Dr. Gupta urged that “addressing opioid use and overdose is an urgent public health priority, and making potentially lifesaving treatments more readily available is an important way to address this crisis.” Naloxone remains the most powerful tool in preventing opioid overdose deaths and is a safe medication that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. Dr. Gupta continued, “This is a vital component of the three-pronged approach taken by the Onondaga County Health Department to address the opioid epidemic.” The approach includes the following:

Preventing substance use disorders by ensuring safe drug disposal, implementing appropriate prescribing practices, increasing community awareness of the opioid crisis, and reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
Treating substance use disorders by providing timely access to treatment and recovery options, along with appropriate linkages to follow-up care.
Reversing opioid overdoses through the effective distribution and use of naloxone, and ensuring long-term supports for people pursuing recovery.”

Each of these strategies is a vital component of reversing the opioid crisis. If you are unable to attend the event on August 31^st and would like to take a virtual training please visit www.ongov.net/health/opioids/NaloxoneTraining.html to see available training options community-wide.

Mosquitoes Found Positive for West Nile Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory today that a mosquito pool from a trap located at Island Road in the town of Cicero has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Dr. Gupta explains that “West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito; therefore it is extremely important that people use personal protection measures to reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.” This is the first positive finding of WNV in mosquitoes in Onondaga County since 2019.

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
This first positive finding of WNV in mosquitoes serves as a reminder for all residents that the virus is present and to be consistent in protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites no matter where you live.

Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots, or containers that hold water
Remove all tires from your property
Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
Change water in birdbaths at least every four days
Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
Drain water from pool covers
Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates

COVID-19 Update, School Reopening

Dr. Indu Gupta, MD, MPH
Onondaga County Health Commissioner

Fall is knocking at our doorsteps and kids are ready to go back to school. I am sure you and your kids are very excited. At the same time, are concerned because of the increasing number of cases in our community and throughout the United States and the world. The Delta variant has taken hold of the communities and destroying the gains of the past.

The Delta variant is a highly contagious new variant of the same virus which causes COVID-19 disease. It is more contagious than the original virus strain. That means, in 2020, when someone was positive, that person could infect 3 people. But now, a person infected with the new Delta variant can infect 6-9 people making it 2-3 times more infectious than the original SARS COV-2 virus. Additionally, it causes more severe disease and it is creating havoc among children.

The good news is the current vaccines are effective against this Delta variant. However, many of the eligible adults and eligible children of 12 years and older have yet not taken steps to receive even the first dose of the vaccine in our community…even though they are widely available in our community. As of now, about 60% of our county population has been fully vaccinated falling short of the desired goal. Fully vaccinated means two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

2020 was a very difficult year for everyone. Schools had to be cancelled and kids had to learn virtually- which affected not only their academic growth but also physical and mental health. We have come a long way since then and with many available tools in our toolbox. 0ur joint goal is to have every child come to school for in-person learning. With the rise in the cases in our community, I am concerned, and I wanted to talk to you regarding steps you can take to keep your children healthy while in school and help school administration achieve a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Here are some thoughts:

First and foremost, if you or your children are not vaccinated- please take steps to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor. Vaccines are safe, very effective, do not change the body, and prepares it to fight against the virus if it comes close to us. Get the facts from CDC and our health department website.
Number two is wearing a mask. In my recent guidance for reopening of the schools in the fall, I strongly recommended to the school districts to have universal masking for everyone irrespective of vaccination status. The reason for universal masking is that many people who are eligible are not yet vaccinated, providing the opportunity for the virus to spread. If that happens, with isolation and quarantine, school learning will be significantly impacted. You can see this unfolding in many southern states where there are very low vaccination rates and no masking—new cases were diagnosed in the schools resulting in many children in isolation and quarantine, with some schools having to go to virtual learning again as soon as they opened. I can safely presume that you are looking to avoid that same scenario in Onondaga County, right? If the answer is yes, I need your help in stopping the spread of the virus in our schools so schools can remain open and kids can grow academically, physically, and emotionally in a safe, healthy, and happy environment. As we saw recently in Massachusetts, without masks many vaccinated people got infected. However, there were no serious health consequences among them including no deaths. The bottom line is that vaccines protected them, but masks would have stopped the transmission of the virus. This was the reason CDC changed its recommendations, and so did we, for universal masking while indoors.
The third step to keep schools open is to do ongoing random screening testing of staff and kids alike in the schools. Why? To give you the current state of our County—on June 27 we had 1 case and we thought it was amazing; however, our cases have increased significantly to 100 or so every day. That means Onondaga County is in the high transmission zone as calculated by the number of cases per day based on our population. That does not mean we should feel helpless. Testing is an important tool of prevention strategies where we can do testing in the schools and identify those who are asymptomatic infections. We can then isolate positive cases and quarantine those exposed. This will help reduce the chance of the spread of infection in the classroom and in different buildings of the schools. And we can keep schools open. To achieve this, I need your help because children under 18 years of age need consent from the parent. Please consider signing a universal consent for testing for the entire academic year. Your school will send you more information about these.

In closing, I can say that this SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID 19 is very smart, and is outsmarting us by changing itself to fool us, and is becoming stronger and stronger. The future is in everyone’s hands; with available tools. We are in a much better place than we were last year when testing was scattered, and there were no vaccines. Masks, physical distancing, and handwashing saved lives and continued to do so. We have more tools in our tool kit NOW than ever before, and WE SHOULD NOT abandon those tools which helped reduce the number of cases until vaccines became available. Wearing a mask in indoor public settings, physical distancing, hand washing, symptom checks, testing, and vaccination are the best preventive tools we have to reduce the spread of infection in the schools and community alike. We should learn from other states where new cases among unvaccinated and unmasked individuals have now overwhelmed the hospital systems near collapse. On a lighter note, the benefit of vaccination is that if you are vaccinated and exposed, as long as you have no symptoms you will not be quarantined!

Onondaga County Health Department’s guidance is built on CDC and NYSED, which is the regulatory agency for the schools. The school superintendents will make the final policy decisions for the reopening. I will continue to work with them throughout the process and will provide recommendations to specific situations as they arise.

We have come a long way. I am asking for your help and support again to stop the spread of this virus in our community. I am hopeful because all of you have been a great partner since the 16^th of March, 2020 when our first case was diagnosed. And I believe you will continue to do so now, I am counting on you!

You may also watch this as a video message:

Sources:

NYS: COVID -19Vaccine Tracker: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker
CDC: Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 school: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
NYSED: Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-22 School Year: https://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/back-school/nysed-health-and-safety-guide-for-the-2021-2022-school-year.pdf
OCHD: Onondaga County Health Department: Guidance for K-12 Reopening: https://www.ongov.net/health/documents/K-12Guidance2021-22.pdf
MMWR: Outbreak of SARS CoV-2 Infection, Including COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections associated with large gatherings: Barnstable County, Massachusetts: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm
Delta Variants: What we know about the science : CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html

Two Mosquito Pools Found Positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta announced today that lab results show the presence of the Jamestown Canyon virus in two mosquito pools, one from a trap located on Midler Avenue in Syracuse, and another located in Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. This is the first finding of the virus in mosquitoes in Onondaga County since 2014. There have been no known human cases in Onondaga County.

This finding is a result of the Health Department’s mosquito surveillance and control program which collects and tests mosquitoes for viruses. The program also uses larvicides (insecticides) to control mosquito breeding in standing bodies of water. While this virus is rare, the Health Department will report any future findings as part of their weekly mosquito pool testing.

Dr. Gupta explained that, “Jamestown Canyon virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes. Many people have no symptoms and do not get sick, but some have symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, cough and sore throat. Very rarely it can develop into encephalitis. The best way to reduce your risk of infection is by avoiding mosquito bites.”

Personal Protection Measures
The Health Department reminds residents that there are steps everyone should take to protect themselves from mosquito bites during outdoor activities:

Wear shoes, light-colored socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck in your shirt and tuck pant legs into boots or socks.
Consider using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and other products that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Use this EPA search tool to help you choose the repellent product that is right for you, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use for safety and effectiveness. Insect repellents should be applied only to intact skin or over clothing. Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin (apply to your own hands and then put it on the child). Repellent should not be used on babies younger than 2 months old.
Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
It is also important to mosquito-proof your home by replacing or repairing broken screens and getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Keep your property free of standing water by cleaning clogged rain gutters; turning over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use; changing water in birdbaths every four days; properly maintaining swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; draining water from pool covers; and, using landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates.

Signs and Symptoms
According to the CDC, there were 4 cases of Jamestown Canyon virus disease reported in New York State from 2010 to 2019. Although many people infected with Jamestown Canyon virus do not have symptoms, the virus can cause severe disease.

For people with symptoms, the time from mosquito bite to feeling sick ranges from a few days to 2 weeks.
Initial symptoms can include fever, fatigue, and headache. Some people also have respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or runny nose.
Jamestown Canyon virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis include stiff neck, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or seizures.
About half of patients reported with Jamestown Canyon virus disease are hospitalized.
Deaths associated with Jamestown Canyon virus infection are rare.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have recently been bitten by a mosquito and are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

More Information and Resources
For more information about Jamestown Canyon virus and mosquito-borne illnesses, contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.1649 or visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/jamestown-canyon/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html

Clift Park Beach in Village of Skaneateles Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Clift Park Beach located in the Village of Skaneateles 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 bacteria levels reach acceptable standards and will notify the public when the beach is reopened for swimming.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause brief diarrhea. While only some types of bacteria will cause gastrointestinal illness, the presence of E. coli bacteria is an indicator of increased general bacterial action in the water. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

For more information, please call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.