Second Human Case of West Nile Virus and Mosquito Pool Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory about a second human case of West Nile virus and also the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in a mosquito pool in Onondaga County.

The West Nile virus (WNV) case was diagnosed in an elderly person who is hospitalized but in stable condition. West Nile virus is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. Dr. Gupta explained that, “West Nile virus has been found in numerous mosquito traps throughout the county this summer, and is considered to be endemic, or widespread.”

While most people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms, 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Severe illness can strike at any age, however, people over 60 years of age and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or who have received organ transplants, are at higher risk. Symptoms of severe illness may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma that could lead to death. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV infection, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are concerned that you have any of these signs or symptoms.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) was found in a mosquito pool collected last week from a trap located in the town of Lysander. Dr. Gupta explained, “EEE is an extremely rare but serious infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEEV.” People over the age of 50 and younger than the age of 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease when infected with EEEV.

Dr. Gupta continued, “Mosquito counts are low at this point in the season, but it is extremely important that residents continue to use personal protection measures to help reduce their risk of being bitten by a mosquito. Reducing exposure to mosquitoes is the best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne viruses.” Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not allow children to handle repellent. Put a small amount of repellent on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

For more information about mosquito counts, mosquito-borne diseases, and personal protection measures, contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at (315) 435-1649 or visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html.

The Pink Shawl Initiative: A Story of Joining Together for Breast Cancer Screening

By Emily Young, Public Health Educator

For many years, the Cancer Services Program (CSP) has collaborated with the Onondaga Nation to screen local Native American women for breast cancer. This partnership has grown and evolved in many ways over the years. It is true that breast cancer rates do tend to be lower in American Indian/Alaska Native women when compared to other ethnic groups, but mammography screening rates among these women are also somewhat lower than rates among other non-Hispanic groups of women, including white, black, and Asian.

When the CSP first began working with the Onondaga Nation, we had access to a mobile mammography unit. The unit was transported directly to the Onondaga Nation Health Clinic and set up inside of the building, which allowed women access to Free Mammogramstheir mammograms at a location that was both convenient and familiar to them. Due to various factors, the use of the mobile mammography unit was eventually discontinued. As a result, the number of Native American women in Onondaga County who received breast cancer screenings through this program dropped dramatically over the next several years. These women no longer had a familiar and convenient location to have their mammograms and the sense of community that the mobile mammography program had offered to them was unique and difficult to replace.

Recognizing this, the CSP initiated contact with the Onondaga Nation’s clan mothers to discuss strategies to increase breast cancer screening rates among their Native women. Out of these discussions the “Onondaga Nation Pink Shawl Initiative” was created. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the CSP, the Onondaga Nation, and Wellspring Breast Care Center at Upstate University Hospital-Community Campus. It encompasses both education and the provision of breast cancer screening services to women of the Onondaga Nation. Promotional materials were designed with culturally appropriate artwork that was obtained from a well-known Native American artist. Now this artwork is easily identifiable among women within the Onondaga Nation community and has been extremely successful at bringing awareness to the availability of this mammogram program.

Through the “Pink Shawl Initiative”, three to four mammogram clinics are scheduled at Wellspring Breast Care Center each year. The clinics, held on Saturday mornings, are open only to Native American women.  We encourage women to schedule their mammogram appointments around the same time as other family members and friends who also need their mammograms so they can come together. This practice promotes a sense of community which is a very important part of the Native American culture. So far in 2017, approximately 60 Native American women have been screened for breast cancer through the “Onondaga Nation Pink Shawl Initiative”. The CSP looks forward to continued collaboration with our partners to provide these breast cancer screening clinics for our community’s Native American women.

Learn more about breast cancer and current federal screening guidelines at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/breast-cancer-screening1?ds=1&s=breast%20cancer

 

 

FREE Mammograms are Available

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among United States women, no matter your race or ethnicity. The three main risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman, getting older, and certain genetic changes.

Most women (about 8 out of 10) who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. However, women who have close blood relatives like a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are at a higher risk themselves.  About 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, meaning they result directly from gene changes passed on from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited change in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

  • a lump, hard knot, or thickening in the breast or underarm area
  • new pain in one spot that does not go away
  • nipple discharge that starts suddenly
  • pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
  • dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
  • any change in the size or shape of the breast
  • swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breast skin
  • itchy, scaly sore, or rash on the nipple.

Routine screenings are an important step to help find breast cancer early. With early detection breast cancer is usually easier to treat and has better outcomes. A mammogram is the best test to detect breast cancer early.

Free mammograms 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 mammogram.

Whether you have health insurance or not, having a mammogram may save your life. 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 a free mammogram. Take care of yourself this October and schedule your mammogram today!

Mumps Cases Reported in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta reported two cases of mumps in Onondaga County since the last week of August. Both cases are students at Syracuse University. Dr. Gupta explained, “It is important to remember that mumps is a vaccine preventable disease and because of high vaccination rates, mumps is no longer very common in the United States. While sporadic cases can still occur among vaccinated individuals and outbreaks have occurred on college campuses across New York State and the US, the best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (MMR shot).”

Mumps is a serious contagious viral disease passed through saliva and respiratory secretions of an ill individual. Symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or along the jawline on one or both sides. Severe symptoms can include meningitis and swelling of the testis. An ill person can transmit the disease for two days before the onset of swollen salivary glands and 5 days afterwards. There is no specific treatment.
Prevent the spread of mumps:

  • Check with your doctor to be sure that your vaccinations are up to date. The mumps vaccine is given as part of the MMR vaccine.
  • If you have swollen salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides, seek medical care immediately and stay out of work and/or school for five days. Inform the student health service of your illness.
  • Avoid sharing drinks, cover your cough, and stay home if you are sick.
  • If you are a close contact of a person diagnosed with mumps, watch for symptoms for 25 days.

The Onondaga County Health Department is working closely with the New York State Department of Health and Syracuse University and will continue monitoring the situation and informing the public.

For more information about mumps visit www.cdc.gov/mumps.

First Human Case of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County for 2017

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta reported today the first case of human West Nile virus infection for 2017 in a child that lives in the City of Syracuse. The child was briefly hospitalized and is expected to make a full recovery. This is the first human case of West Nile virus since 2014.

West Nile virus is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. Dr. Gupta explained that, “West Nile virus has been found in numerous mosquito traps throughout the county this summer, and is considered to be endemic, or widespread.”

While most people infected with West Nile virus (WNV) do not develop symptoms, 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Severe illness can strike at any age, however, people over 60 years of age and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or who have received organ transplants, are at higher risk. Symptoms of severe illness may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma that could lead to death. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV infection, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are concerned that you have any of these signs or symptoms.

Dr. Gupta continued, “The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.” Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not allow children to handle repellent. Put a small amount of repellent on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

It is also important to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, thereby reducing the mosquito population:

  • Throw away outdoor containers and ceramic pots that hold water
  • Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
  • Remove all tires from your property
  • 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 bird baths 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 Health Department will continue to post mosquito pool test results every week, please visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html for the most recent information. The public may also contact the Division of Environmental Health for more information at (315) 435-1649.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/west_nile_virus/

Blue-Green Algae Update: Skaneateles Lake

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta announced today that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has confirmed that algal blooms found along the shore of Skaneateles Lake contain elevated levels of toxin. The Onondaga County Health Department, New York State, the City of Syracuse, and the Town of Skaneateles are continuously monitoring the public water supply and there continues to be no indication of a blue green algae bloom near the public water intakes in Skaneateles Lake.

The Onondaga County Health Department reminds residents who draw water directly from the lake through near-shore PRIVATE INTAKES to 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.

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 Advisory Issued for Skaneateles Lake

Onondaga County Health Department has issued a Blue-Green Algae Advisory for Skaneateles Lake. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in the lake. People and their pets should avoid contact with any algae blooms, surface scums, and colored water.

Blue-green algae blooms can turn the water green and can form thick surface scums on the water. Certain types of blue-green algae can release toxins that may poison people and animals. Exposure to blue-green algae can cause skin or eye irritation or diarrhea and vomiting if ingested.

The Health Department recommends taking the following precautions:

  • Do not drink water directly from the lake
  • Do not swim, wade, or fish near algae blooms or surface scums
  • Do not let dogs wade, drink the water, or walk on shoreline debris
  • Rinse yourself and pets with clean water if exposed to algae

Anyone who has come into contact with the algae bloom or surface scum and has skin or eye irritation or gastrointestinal illness should contact their health care provider.

Learn more about blue-green algae:

 

Overdose Awareness Day, August 31

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held each year on August 31st with an aim to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or suffered a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Globally, an estimated 190,000 people died last year from a drug overdose . Onondaga County is not immune. Between 2012 and 2016, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths has tripled among Onondaga County residents.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, stressed that an urgent response is needed by all sectors of our community. “Opioid abuse is increasing across all population groups in Onondaga County which is consistent with state and national trends. The increased use of prescription opioid pain medications, along with the widespread availability of cheap heroin and newer synthetic Fentanyl analogs, is responsible for this ongoing public health crisis.” Gupta continued, “Collaborative partnerships between communities, individuals who use drugs and their families, medical providers, public health agencies, law enforcement, businesses, educational institutions, non-profits, and policy makers is needed to reverse the tide.”

In Onondaga County, we are working with all of the partners within the Onondaga County Drug Task Force to address this crisis using a three-pronged approach:

  • Prevention: Working with medical providers and law enforcement to prevent initiation of drug use through responsible prescribing practices and preventing the diversion of prescription drugs.
  • Crisis: Building capacity to respond to opioid overdoses through naloxone training and administration.
  • Treatment and Recovery: Linking individuals to appropriate treatment resources, and supporting those in recovery.

For resources related to opioid and heroin addiction visit https://combatheroin.ny.gov/. For more information about Onondaga County’s three-pronged approach for combating opioid and heroin addiction visit /health/opioids/.over

Two Mosquito Pools Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be present in Onondaga County. Two mosquito pools from samples collected last week have tested positive for WNV—one from a trap located at East Taft Road in the Town of Cicero and another in the Town of Geddes. This is the first positive finding of WNV in the Town of Geddes this year.

Dr. Gupta states that, “Disease-carrying mosquitoes will continue to be a public health concern until the first hard frost”, and reminds county residents that, “It is essential that the public continue to practice personal protection measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes whenever outdoors. It is important not to become complacent about consistently practicing personal protection measures”.

Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not allow children to handle repellent. Put a small amount of repellent on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

It is also important to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, thereby reducing the mosquito population:

  • Throw away outdoor containers and ceramic pots that hold water
  • Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
  • Remove all tires from your property
  • 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 bird baths 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 Health Department will continue to post mosquito pool test results every week. Please visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html for the most recent information. The public may also contact the Division of Environmental Health for more information at (315) 435-1649.

Eight Mosquito Pools Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, is notifying the public that eight mosquito pools from samples collected last week have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). One pool was from a trap in the Town of DeWitt, two in the Town of Salina, and five in the Town of Cicero. Dr. Gupta explained, “It is evident that mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus are present in a number of areas throughout Onondaga County. It is extremely important to protect yourself against mosquito bites, which is the best way to protect yourself from WNV and other mosquito-borne viral illnesses.” Gupta also explained that the Health Department continues to be vigilant in monitoring the county’s mosquito population and presence of virus by checking the mosquito traps twice per week and working to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

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. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not put the repellent directly onto children; put it on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

It is also important to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, thereby reducing the mosquito population:

  • 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 bird baths 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

For more information about personal protection measures visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html or contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at (315) 435-1649.