Mumps Cases Reported in Onondaga County

The Onondaga County Health Department received reports of five cases of mumps in Onondaga County over the past few days. Four of these cases are students from a local university and one is a high school student in a local school district. All cases are still under investigation, and parents and students of these two institutions will receive notifications. Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health 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, the best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (MMR shot). ”

As mumps outbreaks have been occurring on college campuses across New York State and the US, all healthcare providers should be on the lookout for mumps among students returning home from college for the summer break.

Mumps is a serious contagious disease passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. 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. An ill person can transmit the disease for five days after the onset of swollen salivary glands. There is no specific treatment.

Prevent the spread of mumps:

  • Check with your doctor to be sure that both your and your child’s 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 school for five days.
  • 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.

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

Fox Found Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, reports that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has confirmed that a fox found in the Town of LaFayette tested positive for rabies. This is the fourth animal that has tested positive for rabies in 2017.

Dr. Gupta stresses, “Protecting yourself from rabies is important year round. This is the time of year that the public may encounter wildlife. It is important not to touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid.” Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It can take several weeks to several months for rabies symptoms to appear. Early treatment after an exposure can prevent rabies.

The Health Department advises taking the following steps to help prevent exposure to rabies:

  • Never handle unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Wash any wound from an animal bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Call the Animal Disease Control Program at (315) 435-3165 if you find a bat in your home. Capture the bat that you or your pet were exposed to so that it can be tested for rabies. Learn how to capture a bat at /health/ADP.html.
  • Bat-proof your house by plugging any holes in the house with steel wool.
  • Keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations current. The Onondaga County Health Department offers rabies shot clinics at many locations throughout Onondaga County. Upcoming clinics include:
    o Thursday, May 18, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Mattydale
    o Thursday, May 25, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at NBT Bank Stadium (Lobby), 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse

Getting your pet vaccinated can help stop the spread of rabies from wild animals to humans. New York State Public Health Laws require that all puppies and kittens get their initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. See our full 2017 Rabies Clinic schedule at www.ongov.net/health/documents/RabiesClinicSchedule.pdf.
For more information about rabies prevention, visit /health/ADP.html.

Bat Found Positive for Rabies

The Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, reports that the New York State Health Department’s laboratory has confirmed that a bat found in the Village of Liverpool tested positive for rabies. This is the second animal that has tested positive for rabies in 2017.

The Health Department reminds residents that rabid animals can be present any time of the year and advises taking the following steps to help prevent exposure to rabies:

  • Never handle unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Wash any wound from an animal bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water.  Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Call the Animal Disease Control Program at (315) 435-3165 if you find a bat in your home. Capture the bat that you or your pet were exposed to so that it can be tested for rabies.  Learn how to capture a bat at /health/ADP.html.
  • Bat-proof your house by plugging any holes in the house with steel wool.
  • Keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations current. This is especially important for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Our next rabies shot clinic is next Thursday, May 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Clay Highway Garage, 4483 Route 31 in Clay. Getting your pet vaccinated can help stop the spread of rabies from wild animals to humans. New York State Public Health Laws require that all puppies and kittens get their initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. See our full 2017 Rabies Clinic schedule at www.ongov.net/health/documents/RabiesClinicSchedule.pdf.

For more information about rabies prevention, visit /health/ADP.html.

National Prescription Take-Back Day

On Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Onondaga County law enforcement agencies and their partners will be collecting unused or expired prescription drugs as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s National Prescription Take-Back Day. The goal of this event is to promote safe medication disposal and prevent these medications from being abused by others or damaging our environment.
Prescription medications play an important role in the health of many individuals.  However, abuse of prescription opioids is a growing national public health crisis.  This crisis is also affecting Onondaga County residents. In 2016, there were 142 unintended opioid-related deaths in Onondaga County; approximately 70% of these deaths involved prescription opioids. Taking back your prescription drugs is one way you can help reverse this crisis!

Onondaga County particular locations for medication drop-off include:

  • 21 E. Genesee Street, Baldwinsville (Kinney Drugs)- Baldwinsville
  • 4202 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse (Kinney Drugs)- Camillus
  • 4600 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse (Camillus Police Department Drop Box)- Camillus
  • 5206 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse (Walgreen’s Pharmacy)- Camillus
  • 1057 Route 5, Elbridge (Kinney Drugs)- Elbridge
  • 7065 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse (Kinney Drugs)- Manlius
  • 1 Arkie Albanese Ave, Manlius (Manlius Town Police Department)- Manlius
  • 406 Butternut Street, Syracuse (Kinney Drugs)- Syracuse
  • 104 Lafayette Road, Syracuse (Kinney Drugs)- Syracuse
  • 2912 James Street, Syracuse (Kinney Drugs)- Syracuse

For more information on National Prescription Take-Back Day, please visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
You can also make a difference year-round by safely disposing of prescription drugs in one of many drug collection boxes located throughout Onondaga County. Learn more:  www.ongov.net/health/heroin/documents/SNADDLocations.pdf.

 

STDs: You Don’t Always See the Signs

By Melanie Drotar, Public Information Specialist
and Karyn Johnson, Public Health Educator

The Onondaga County Health Department recently collaborated with students at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University on a video public service announcement (PSA) project. It was a perfect partnership: students produced these videos for course credit while gaining real world experience with a government agency, and the Health Department—which does not have in-house video production expertise—is now able to use these professional-quality videos to get important public health messages out to the community.

The Newhouse professor and students met with a team from the Health Department early in the process to gather information and discuss the Health Department’s goals. The students then presented their concepts to the team and went to work writing the storyboards and scripts, recruiting actors, then shooting and editing the videos. This all resulted in high quality video PSAs that can be used for Health Department promotions.

The first videos in the series deal with two priorities in Onondaga County:

  1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
  2. Opioid Addiction

April is Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month, so this month’s article features the video PSA entitled “STDs: You Don’t Always See the Signs”:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHlZsrnky04?rel=0&w=700&h=394]

This video captures people’s initial reaction to signs printed with the names of numerous STDs. Individuals infected with an STD may not experience any physical signs or symptoms. That is why it is so important to step up and get tested!

Anyone who is sexually active can get an STD.  The good news is STDs are preventable and treatable. Use the following tips to protect yourself and your partner:

  • The only sure way to prevent STDs is to not have sex. This means not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
  • Using a condom correctly every time you have sex can help prevent STDs; however, some STDs, including herpes and HPV, can be spread even when using a condom.
  • Reducing your number of partners can help reduce the spread of STDs. By having sex with only one person who has been recently tested, you can reduce your risk for getting an STD.
  • Getting an HPV vaccine can help protect you from HPV, a virus that can cause some cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls 11 to 12 years of age, but can be given to women through age 26 and men through age 21.
  • Talking with your partner about preventing STDs before having sex is important. It may be uncomfortable, but protecting your health is up to you!
  • Get tested: just because you or your partner has no symptoms does not mean you are STD free. Getting tested is the only way to know. If you have a positive STD test, make sure you follow through with your treatment to prevent getting re-infected or infecting others.

Get peace of mind. Get checked. There are many options for STD testing. Some people choose to go to their doctor while others prefer to come to the Onondaga County Health Department STD Center. The STD Center provides confidential STD testing and treatment.  For more information about the STD Center, call (315) 435-3236 or visit our website.

Special thanks to the faculty and students of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications for the production of this video:
Robert Emerson, Adjunct Professor ─Television, Radio, and Film
Students: Fatima Bangura, Adam Ganley, Laura Hegstetter, Rachel Kucharski, and Maxine Williams

National Infant Immunization Week, “Immunization. Power to Protect.”

Did you know that making sure your children get their required immunizations (shots) is one of the most important ways to protect them against serious diseases? Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential that children be protected by getting all the immunizations that are recommended. National Infant Immunization Week is recognized during the week of April 22 – April 29, 2017.

Immunizations protect the individual and both families and communities. Children who are not immunized increase both their risk of disease, as well as the risk to others.  In the United States, we can protect children against fourteen (14) different diseases before the age of two.

This health observance helps to remind and encourage all parents to consult with their health care provider to ensure that their children are up-to-date on their shots. Health care professionals remain parents’ most trusted source of information about vaccines for their children. While there may be some risk from immunizations, the protections provided by them far outweigh the possible risks. Parents should contact their health care provider if they have specific questions about vaccine safety.

Take time during National Infant Immunization Week to contact your child’s health care provider to be certain your child is up-to-date on their immunizations.  For more information about vaccine preventable diseases and the importance of immunizations, contact your health care provider, the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-2000, or visit the CDC Immunization website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html .

 

Get Screened to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

By Emily Young, Public Health Educator, Cancer Services Program
Onondaga County Health Department

 John* has been experiencing colorectal symptoms for a few months yet he hasn’t seen a doctor because he doesn’t have health insurance. He works full-time but his company doesn’t offer health insurance coverage. John is 55-years-old and knows that he should have had a colonoscopy when he turned 50, but he put it off because he couldn’t afford to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

John finally decided to call his primary care doctor for an appointment. His rectal bleeding and abdominal pain was getting worse and his stool was starting to look black in color. When John saw Dr. Smith*, he told her about his symptoms and how long they had been going on. Dr. Smith asked John if he had any family history of colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps. John didn’t know of anyone in his family ever having colorectal cancer. Dr. Smith asked John when his last colonoscopy was. John reluctantly told Dr. Smith that he had never had a colonoscopy because he doesn’t have health insurance. Then Dr. Smith gave John some good news. She told him about the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) which could cover the cost of his colorectal cancer screening because he didn’t have health insurance. John couldn’t believe there was a program that could help him get screened and find out what was causing his colorectal symptoms.

Dr. Smith gave John the telephone number. John called and spoke to the program’s Case Manager who quickly got him set up for a colonoscopy at a convenient location. During John’s

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Colorectal cancer can be prevented through the removal of pre-cancerous polyps!

colonoscopy, the doctor found and removed five pre-cancerous polyps. The doctor told John he would need to follow up with another colonoscopy in three to five years. John was very thankful to Dr. Smith for telling him about the CSP and was so grateful for the peace of mind knowing that he had help with his colorectal cancer screening when he did not have the financial means to do so himself.

 

When was the last time you had a colorectal cancer screening? Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for men and women between the ages of 50 and 75 years old using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer can be prevented through the removal of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon and/or rectum. For men and women without health insurance or those who have other barriers to accessing screenings, the CSP provides free colorectal cancer screening. Uninsured men and women may call 435-3653 to register for their free screening.

For more information on colorectal cancer and free colorectal screenings for uninsured men and women please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/ or https://ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html.

*Names changed for confidentiality purposes.

Make the Right Choice and Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

If you’re aged 50 or older and haven’t been screened for colorectal cancer, now is the time! Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. but 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 75 years old are not getting tested for colorectal cancer as recommended. Screening can find polyps early so they can be removed before turning into cancer.

There are often no symptoms during the early stages of colorectal cancer, making routine colorectal screening extremely important. Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for men and women aged 50 to 75 years old using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer can be prevented through the removal of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon and/or rectum.

A person’s chances of developing colorectal cancer can be increased by certain factors such as having:

  • a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps,
  • a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease,
  • had polyps or colorectal cancer in the past.

If you are without health insurance or have other barriers to accessing colorectal cancer screenings, the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) may be able to help. Free colorectal cancer screening is available for men and women aged 50 to 64 years who do not have health insurance and qualify for the program. Call the CSP at 315-435-3653 or visit our website at www.ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html to register online. Screening and early detection saves lives. Don’t delay…schedule your colorectal cancer screening test today!

First Positive Rabies Case in Onondaga County for 2017 Found in Raccoon

Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, reports that the New York State Health Department’s laboratory confirmed that a raccoon found in the City of Syracuse tested positive for rabies. This is the first positive rabies finding in 2017.

The Health Department reminds residents that rabid animals can be present any time of the year and advises taking the following steps to help prevent exposure to rabies:

  • Never handle unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Wash any wound from an animal bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Call the Animal Disease Control Program at (315) 435-3165 if you find a bat in your home Capture a bat that you or your pet were exposed to especially if the bat is dead or appears sick. Click here  to learn how to capture a bat.
  • Bat-proof your house by plugging any holes in the house with steel wool.
  • Seek medical attention and have the bat tested if you awaken to find a bat in your room.

Keep your pet’s vaccinations current. This is especially important for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Getting your pet vaccinated can help stop the spread of rabies from wild animals to humans. New York State Public Health Laws require that all puppies and kittens get their initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. Click here to see our 2017 Rabies Clinic schedule.
For more information about rabies prevention, visit /health/ADP.html.

Rabies Shot Clinics March – May 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 March through May 2017:

•Saturday, March 4th, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Mattydale

•Thursday, May 4th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Clay Highway Garage, 4483 Route 31, Clay

•Thursday, May 18th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Mattydale

•Thursday, May 25th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
NBT Bank Stadium (Lobby), 1 Tex Simone Drive, 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