Tell Us What You Think About the Health of Our Community

The Onondaga County Health Department has launched the 2019 Community Engagement Survey and wants to hear from Onondaga County residents about health issues that matter to you. Onondaga County Executive, Ryan McMahon encourages residents to share their views by filling out the Community Engagement Survey. “The Community Engagement Survey helps us identify the health priorities of Onondaga County residents. The results will be used to set goals that will lead to the development of strategies to positively impact the health of our community, especially as we work to tackle the issue of poverty.” The 2019 Community Engagement Survey is now available online at: ongov.net/health in both English and in Spanish.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, explained “The Community Engagement Survey asks questions on mental health, alcohol, chronic disease, cancer screening, and other important health related issues. This initiative is led by the Onondaga County Health Department in collaboration with local hospitals, and multiple community based organizations. The goal is to create a long-term plan and systematic approach to improve the health of community residents.” Dr. Gupta also shared that Health Department staff will be conducting engagement activities directly with community members and stakeholders to further help understand their health-related priorities.  

All survey responses will remain anonymous and will not be shared. As a thank you, participants can register to win a prize! The survey will be open until May 31, 2019. For more information, or questions about the survey, call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.3280.

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 more information about the Boil Water Order, call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

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 Department to boil all water for drinking and culinary purposes.

At about 9:00 PM on May 1, 2019 the water system lost pressure due to a water main break.  When the distribution pipes and mains lose pressure, it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes could enter the system.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health.  Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.  The symptoms above are not just caused by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

What is being done?
The water main break was identified, repaired, and the distribution system is being flushed.  You will be informed when tests confirm that no harmful bacteria are in the system and you no longer need to boil your water. It is anticipated that the problem will be resolved within three days.

For more information, please contact Joe Dwyer of Skaneateles WDs at 315-729-3483 or the Onondaga County Health Department at 315-435-6600.

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 make sure that their baby is up-to-date on vaccines.

Immunizations protect the individual as well as families and communities. Infants who are not up-to-date on their immunizations increase their risk of disease and put others at risk.  While there may be some minor side effects from immunizations, all licensed vaccines are rigorously monitored for efficiency and safety. If you have questions about vaccine safety, your health care provider remains the most trusted source of information about vaccines.

Take time during National Infant Immunization Week to be certain your baby is up-to-date on their immunizations. For more information about vaccine preventable diseases and the importance of immunizations, contact your health care provider or visit the Onondaga County Health Department website at https://ongov.net/health/vaccinesimmunizations.html.

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 tests, which leads to early detection of precancerous lesions and their removal.

Early detection saves lives. Colorectal cancer usually starts from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum, which can develop into cancer over time. Sometimes polyps will bleed and a person may notice blood in their stool. Other symptoms of colorectal cancer may include abdominal pain or bloating that doesn’t go away or unexplained weight loss. But, it is important to remember that colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms at first. This is why having screening tests for colorectal cancer on a regular basis is important.

Adults between the ages of 50 and 75 should be tested. Some screening tests can be used to find polyps while others look for specific signs of colorectal cancer. The FIT (fecal immunochemical test) Kit is an at-home stool testing kit which looks for blood in a person’s stool. A colonoscopy is a test which allows your doctor to view the inside of the entire colon to find and remove polyps in the colon or rectum. Talk to your doctor to determine which test is right for you and how often you should be screened.

Free colorectal cancer screening tests are available. The Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) offers free tests for men and women between 50 and 64 years old who do not have health insurance. Services are available at many healthcare provider sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County.  Call 315-435-3653 or visit the CSP website at ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html to register for your free screening test.

Remember, if you are between 50 and 64 years old and do NOT have health insurance, call 315-435-3653 to see if you qualify for free colorectal cancer screening. Early detection of colorectal cancer saves lives. Take care of yourself and schedule your appointment today!

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 and frostbite, and make sure their homes are safely heated.” Dr. Gupta reminds residents to check on other family members and neighbors during extremely cold weather. Homeless individuals are encouraged to seek shelter if possible. If you have pets, bring them inside or provide adequate, warm shelter.

Hypothermia, or lowered body temperature, can occur after prolonged exposure to a cold environment. Watch out for the signs and symptoms of hypothermia:

  • Shivering
  • Confusion
  • Memory loss
  • Drowsiness
  • Exhaustion
  • Slurred speech
  • Glassy stare
  • Slow, irregular pulse
  • Numbness

If you recognize the above signs and symptoms in yourself or others, seek medical help immediately. Remove all wet/cold clothing and place the individual in dry blankets/clothing. If conscious, provide a warm beverage.

 Frostbite is an injury to exposed body parts such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas.  It can permanently damage body parts if not treated quickly. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of frostbite:

  • Any discoloration of the skin such as flushed, white, yellow, or blue
    depending on the length of exposure
  • Waxy appearance of skin
  • Lack of feeling or numbness

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms:

  • Handle the frostbitten area gently
  • Do not rub the area
  • Expose the affected area to asource of warmth
  • Seek medical attention


General Safety Tips During Cold Weather:

  • Stay indoors, if possible
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages, which cause the body to lose heat more rapidly
  • Do not ignore shivering–it is an important first sign that the body is losing heat and a signal to quickly return indoors

When going outdoors, adults and children should wear:

  • Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
  • A wind and water-resistant coat
  • A scarf to cover their face and mouth, hat, and gloves or mittens
  • Insulated waterproof boots

It is also important to stay safe when heating your home, especially during a power outage. Take precautions to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide any time a fossil fuel such as natural gas, oil, or coal is burned. Make sure that both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and is hard to detect. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and can lead to death. Do not ignore these symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them. Get medical help right away.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by taking the following precautions:

  • Install a carbon monoxide detector which is battery powered or has a battery back-up and is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Have gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Be sure that the flues and chimneys are in good working condition.
  • Choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible.
  • Read and follow all the instructions that come with any fuel-burning device.
  • Do not idle the car in a garage, even if the garage door to the outside is open.
  • Do not use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
  • Do not use a charcoal grill indoors, even in a fireplace.
  • Do not sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
  • Do not use any gas-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blower, chain saws, small engines, or generators) in enclosed spaces.

For more information on how to reduce your risks from carbon monoxide contact the Upstate New York Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or visit www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm. For more information about hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold weather conditions, visit www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.html

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 early.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. It is important to remember that most sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. Usually, HPV will go away on its own, but when it doesn’t, cervical cancer can develop over time. The HPV vaccine can prevent infection from the nine most common types of HPV.  The vaccine is recommended for males and females at age 11 or 12, but can be given through 26 years of age. Recently, the FDA expanded the approved age for this vaccine to men and women up to age 45. If you do not have insurance that covers the vaccine, please call 315-435-2000 for more information on the Onondaga County Immunization Clinic.

There are two tests that can find cervical cancer early. Cervical cancer screening tests are recommended for women between the ages of 21 to 65. Women aged 21-30 should be screened regularly with Pap tests. Women aged 30 and older may also be screened with Pap and HPV testing. A women’s doctor will indicated how often to have these tests completed based on past test results. Routine screenings are an important step to help find cervical cancer early.

Free Pap and HPV tests are available through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) for women between the ages of 40 to 64 who do not have health insurance or experience other barriers to completing their screenings. Services are available at many healthcare provider sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Call 315-435-3653 or visit the CSP website at ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html to register for your free screening test.

Whether you have health insurance or not, having cervical cancer screening tests may save your life. You should start regular Pap Tests at age 21 and continue this practice through age 65 with guidance of your doctor. Remember, if you are a woman between the ages of 40 to 64 and do NOT have health insurance, call 315-435-3653 to see if you qualify for free cervical cancer screening tests.  Take care of yourself and schedule your test today!

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 the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age, there are still a number of myths and misconceptions regarding the vaccine that lead people to not be vaccinated.  Let’s take a look at a few of the most common myths:

MYTH #1: The flu vaccine will give you the flu.
Injectable flu vaccines are either made with killed flu viruses or small parts of the viruses.  The flu nasal spray contains a weakened virus that cannot grow at a person’s normal body temperature. Both flu vaccine options cannot cause the flu. Some people may have redness where the shot is given and / or feel a little achy or feverish for 1- 2 days following the vaccine, this is normal and shows you that your immune system is responding to build up protection against the flu. If you do get the flu after getting the flu vaccine, most likely you were exposed before getting vaccinated or within the two weeks after vaccination before the flu vaccine becomes effective.  In some cases, you may have been exposed to a flu strain that was not included in the flu vaccine, or exposed to a different illness all together.

MYTH #2: The flu shot doesn’t work.
The effectiveness of the vaccine varies, depending on how good a match the flu strains in the vaccine are to the circulating strains, and the health and age of the person receiving the vaccine. Although the protection from vaccination is not perfect, it is the best defense we have. Even during seasons when the vaccine is not a great match to circulating flu strains, the vaccine can reduce how severe a person’s illness is, and reduce the risk of hospitalization or death due to the flu.

MYTH #3: It is too late in the season to get a flu shot.
In Central New York, we often do not see the highest numbers of flu cases until February or later. Although getting vaccinated earlier is encouraged, getting vaccinated in December and into the New Year can still offer protection during the time when the number of flu cases are at the highest levels.

MYTH #4: I have never had the flu, so I don’t need to get the vaccine.
If you have never had the flu you can count yourself as lucky! However, this does not mean you are immune to getting the flu in the future. The flu is an unpredictable virus. Just because you are a generally healthy person does not mean the flu cannot be serious. Although many people who die from the flu are medically compromised, many are not.

MYTH #5: The flu is not that serious.
The last flu season (2017-2018) was particularly severe, with an estimated number of 79,000 deaths due to influenza (CDC, Influenza Division program impact report 2017-2018). Some people, such as older people, young children, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women are at a higher risk for serious flu complications.

Don’t let flu myths keep you from staying healthy this winter! The Onondaga County Health Department Immunization Clinic has flu vaccines available for uninsured and underinsured Onondaga County residents 6 months of age and up.  The clinic is held every Wednesday from 9:00am – 12 Noon in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, Room 30.  This is a walk-in clinic, no appointments are necessary.  For more information on the flu or where you can get a flu shot, ask your health care provider or call 315-435-2000.

Hepatitis A Cases Reported in Onondaga County

The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) is investigating a recent increase in reported Hepatitis A cases in Onondaga County. Since November, five cases have been confirmed among Onondaga County residents, a significant increase from the usual number of local cases. Dr. Indu Gupta, Commissioner of Health explained that, “Although anyone can get Hepatitis A, these recent cases are a result of intravenous and other drug use and unprotected sexual activities.”

If you or a loved one may have been exposed to someone with Hepatitis A since November 23, especially through drug use and unprotected sex, it is important that you receive vaccine as soon as possible to prevent infection. Contact your healthcare provider or call OCHD at 315-435-3215 Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 or 315-435-3252 after hours.

The best way to prevent Hepatitis A infection is by getting vaccinated. If you or a loved one is at high risk for Hepatitis A infection, contact your healthcare provider today to get vaccinated. People who are at greater risk include those who: have sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis A; are men who have sexual encounters with other men; use recreational drugs (injected or not); or are household members or caregivers of a person infected with Hepatitis A.

Infected individuals can spread Hepatitis A even if they don’t look or feel sick. Many children and some adults have no symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after exposure and can include: fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and yellowing of the eyes and skin. In some cases, serious consequences can result including liver failure and death.

If you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to someone with Hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider or call OCHD at 315-435-3215 Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30, or 315-435-3252 after hours. For more information about the Hepatitis A virus, please visit: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/pdfs/HepAGeneralFactSheet.pdf.