The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, is open again for swimming. Swimming at Oneida Shores was closed due to water quality issues. Lisa Letteney, Director of Environmental Health, explained that water quality test results received today now show acceptable levels.
Four More Mosquito Pools Found Positive for West Nile Virus
Onondaga County Health Commissioner Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, is notifying the public that four more mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). One mosquito pool was from a trap located in the Town of Lysander and the other three were located in the Town of Salina. Dr. Gupta explained, “The Health Department continues to be vigilant in monitoring the mosquito population and presence of virus by checking the mosquito traps twice per week and working to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.” Gupta also explained that it is extremely important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially if you live in or visit woodland areas, work outside, or are involved in outdoor activities.
Reducing exposure to mosquitoes is the best way to protect yourself from WNV and other mosquito-borne viruses. 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.
Oneida Shores Remains Closed for Swimming
The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, will continue to be closed for swimming due to water quality issues. Water testing will continue and the Health Department will keep the public informed of the water quality as more information becomes available.
The Iron Girl organizers have decided to cancel the swimming portion of the event due to the current water conditions.
Mosquito Pool Found Positive for West Nile Virus
Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, has been notified that a mosquito pool from the East Taft Road trap in the town of Cicero has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This is the first finding of WNV this year. Dr. Gupta explained, “It is extremely important that people use personal protection measures to help reduce their risk of being bitten by a mosquito.” Gupta also explained that it is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially if you live in or visit woodland areas, work outside, or are involved in outdoor activities.
Reducing exposure to mosquitoes is the best way to protect yourself from WNV and other mosquito-borne viruses. 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 contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at (315) 435-1649.
Annual Elimination of Water Chestnuts in the Seneca River
The Onondaga County Health Department will begin to reduce the number of water chestnuts in the Seneca River in the Baldwinsville and Three Rivers areas beginning Monday, July 31 through Thursday, August 10, 2017. Water chestnuts are plants that are rooted in the river bottom. Water chestnuts spread quickly and their seeds can remain dormant for several years making elimination of water chestnuts a multi-year effort. Due to its thick formation, water chestnuts hinder navigation, crowd native plants, and reduce fish habitat.
The primary herbicide that will be used for this purpose is Clearcast (active ingredient: imazamox). Rodeo (active ingredient: glyphosate) will also be used. Clearcast and Rodeo are considered safe for the control of vegetation in and around natural bodies of water and non-cropland sites. However, Clearcast and Rodeo are harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled and can cause moderate eye irritation. As a precautionary measure, we are asking the public to avoid the areas while they are being treated. Signs will be posted to identify the treated areas. Detailed descriptions and maps of the treatment areas are available at: www.ongov.net/health/waterchestnuts.html.
For more information about the pesticides that will be used, please visit:
• Clearcast: www.sepro.com/documents/clearcast_Label.pdf
• Rodeo: https://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld4TN013.pdf
Community Partners Collaborate to Promote Kids on the Move and Healthy Eating
Did you know that obesity rates of children in kindergarten through 2nd grade rise during the summer months? A couple of reasons for this include not eating healthy and being less physically active.
On July 21, 2017, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) teamed up with the Syracuse City School District’s Summer Food Service Program and Syracuse Community Connections (SCC, formerly the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility) at the Southwest Community Center to host a “Summer 2017 Heritage Health Kick” event at SCC. At this event, children were able to enjoy a healthy meal and take part in games and a group Mixed Martial Arts event provided by H2Fitness. To give children more opportunities for physical activity at SCC, OCHD installed playground stencil games on the outside grounds of the SCC. OCHD also coordinated a “Trunk n’ Learn” health fair for the parents and caregivers of children participating in the “Heritage Health Kick” event. This offered families an opportunity to learn more about the program and services that are available to community residents. Also at this event, five children received new bicycles as part of a prize drawing following the lunch time activities.
The goal of the SCSD Summer Food Service Program is to provide healthy meals to children in the city during the summer months. “The Syracuse City School District is proud to be partnering with over 22 City parks, libraries, churches, and community centers to offer free meals to children under the age of 18 in the Syracuse Community”, said Superintendent of Schools, Jaime Alicea. “Eating healthy throughout the summer is important and these partnerships coupled with the 26 SCSD school sites where meals are also being offered provide our kids the opportunity to eat a nutritious meal every day throughout the summer”, added Alicea.
When children are out of school, they may not eat as healthy or be as physically active as they should be. “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health” said Dr. Indu Gupta, Commissioner of Health. “Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, builds healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, and provides many other health benefits. In addition to the health benefits, physical activity helps to improve students’ academic performance such as better grades and behavior in the classroom,” explained Gupta.
Sharon Owens, Executive Director of SCC explains, “The foundation for a healthy child starts with what they eat and drink. Every achievement and challenge starts from there.” SCC at Southwest Community Center is a place where children can come throughout the summer and eat both breakfast and lunch. At SCC, kids are able to participate in many activities during the day. Owens continued, “We are pleased to be able to serve our community through the many partnerships we have with other agencies.”
For more information on the SCSD Summer Food Service Program, please contact Rachel Murphy, Director of Food and Nutrition at SCSD, at 315-435-4207.
Onondaga County Warns of Potential Measles Exposure
A resident of Onondaga County has been diagnosed with measles 13 days after an exposure to a measles case on a domestic flight. This individual was fully vaccinated against measles, has had mild symptoms, and is doing well.
Measles is a very contagious viral illness. The illness starts with high fever, cough, red eyes, and skin rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed. The rash spreads from the head to the trunk to the lower extremities. Patients are considered to be contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears. Measles is dangerous for young children especially those who have not received 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine protects 97% of vaccinated individuals. There is no specific treatment against measles.
While measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, it is highly contagious and we are asking the public if they visited the James Street Wegmans in East Syracuse during the hours listed below to contact the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) hotline at 315-435-5752 today, Friday, July 14 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM and Saturday, July 15 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This will help us identify those individuals who may have been exposed to the disease. We are working closely with NYSDOH to investigate and monitor the situation.
James Street Wegmans, 4438 James Street, East Syracuse
- July 7 (3:30 PM- 11 PM)
- July 8 (9:30 AM-8 PM)
- July 10 (2:30 PM-10 PM)
We believe this previously vaccinated individual with a mild case of measles poses a much lesser risk to those who may have been exposed.
Symptoms such as fever, red eyes, cough, and skin rash can develop until July 31, 2017. If you develop symptoms, please call your medical provider first then call the OCHD at 315-435-5752. Please do not go to the Emergency Room, Prompt Care, or doctor’s office without first calling to avoid potentially exposing other people.
If you have received 2 doses of MMR or measles-containing vaccine, have had measles, or were born before 1957, you are well protected against contracting measles. An extra measure of precaution is to monitor yourself for fever, cough, red eyes, and skin rash for 14 to 18 days after the potential exposure.
If you have not had 2 doses of MMR or measles-containing vaccine, please consult your healthcare provider to complete your MMR series. The OCHD encourages those who think they have been exposed, and have questions, to call the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) hotline at 315-435-5752 today, Friday, July 14 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM and Saturday, July 15 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
For more information about measles visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/faqs.html
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives
By Erika Frye, Environmental Health Technician II
In October of 2014, the Onondaga County Healthy Neighborhood Program (HNP) visited a family who lives on Garfield Avenue in Syracuse. The HNP is a program that provides health and safety related services to people who live in the City of Syracuse. At the visit on Garfield Avenue, the HNP completed an assessment and provided the family with a carbon monoxide detector. As part of the HNP’s collaboration with the Syracuse Green and Healthy Home Initiative (GHHI) the program visited the home again in December of 2016 and provided the family with another carbon monoxide alarm for another level of the home. In June of this year, the family discovered just how valuable these detectors are.
On June 11, homeowner Kimberly White said that the carbon monoxide detector in her kitchen began to beep. Kimberly said, “Around 9:00 our carbon monoxide detector went off in the kitchen and my husband said that it was probably the battery and I agreed. Twenty minutes later another alarm, one that was still in a bag in the hall closet, went off and I said now I am going to call the Fire Department.” The family evacuated their home and made the call.
The detectors that alarmed were the ones given to the family by the HNP. The family had not installed the second detector yet, but HNP staff always activates the detectors as they are given out so they are operable.
Kimberly continued, “The Fire Department came and picked up 45 ppm [of carbon monoxide] on their handheld detectors so we had to stay out. National Grid came and tagged the dryer and said it had been improperly vented.”
When I was speaking with Kimberly she was very thankful that the HNP took the time to visit her home and to educate her and her family about home health hazards, including carbon monoxide. Kimberly told me that she was “just glad we had detectors because they [the Syracuse Fire Department] said that at these levels, in 2 to 4 weeks we could have all died.”
Kimberly also wanted to thank our program for all that we do. She believes that the services provided by the HNP saved her family, but I explained that it was also because she listened and knew what to do. The HNP gave her the tools and she did the rest.
Kimberly White and her family stand in the kitchen where the carbon monoxide alarm went off.
The products that we provide improve the health and safety of the home, but I believe the education that we provide is just as valuable to our clients.
If you would like to learn more about the Healthy Neighborhood Program or the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative please call 315-435-5431.
Rabies Shot Clinics June – August 2017
The Onondaga County Health Department, in cooperation with local community partners, will be offering rabies shot clinics at the following locations during the months of June through August 2017:
Thursday, July 6th, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Onondaga Nation Fire Department, Route 11A, Nedrow
Thursday, August 3rd, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Village of Minoa DPW, 100 Kalin Drive, Minoa
Thursday, August 17th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
St. Lucy’s Church, 432 Gifford Street, Syracuse
Please remember to keep your pets on a leash (or in a carrier) at the rabies clinic and keep them close to you. Also, please bring your pet’s past shot records. New York State Public Health law requires that all puppies and kittens get their first rabies shot at three months of age. They also need to get a booster shot at one year old and then again every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year.
All shots are free for Onondaga County residents. A voluntary donation per family is appreciated. Additional rabies shot clinic programs will be offered throughout the year. For a complete rabies shot clinic schedule or for more information please call 435-3280 or visit: /health/documents/RabiesClinicSchedule.pdf
Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Ticks and Mosquitoes
The Onondaga County Health Department is encouraging residents to protect themselves this summer from tick and mosquito bites. Indu Gupta MD, MPH, Onondaga County Commissioner of Health explained that ticks can carry a bacterium that causes Lyme disease. “A person can get infected through the bite of an infected deer tick”. Dr. Gupta explained that an infected tick must be attached to the skin for 36 hours to transmit the bacterium. With the warm weather almost here, it is important to consistently use personal protection measures to reduce the risk of bites from both ticks and mosquitoes. “Mosquitoes can also carry the viruses that spread diseases like West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV)”. Dr. Gupta explained that the Health Department will begin the annual mosquito surveillance and control program in late May. This program collects and tests mosquitoes for viruses including WNV and EEEV. The program also uses larvicides (an insecticide) to control mosquito breeding in standing bodies of water.
The Health Department has outlined several measures to protect against ticks bites and other diseases caused by infected ticks. In addition, residents are encouraged to use personal protection measures during outdoor activities to protect against both ticks and mosquito bites. This includes wearing shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt in addition to using a repellant. When using a repellant, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use and reapplication.
For more information about Lyme disease and mosquito-borne illnesses, contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315-435-1649. For more information visit:
OCHD: /health/mosquitoborne.html /health/lyme.html
NYSDOH: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/west_nile_virus/
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/
https://www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/