First Report of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County and Corrected Update: No Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, was notified by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that two mosquito pools from a trap located in the Town of Salina have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

NYSDOH also notified Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) of an update in their report to OCHD earlier this week. It was incorrectly reported that EEE was found in a pool of mosquitoes in Onondaga County, however, NYSDOH issued an update today that additional testing has confirmed the Island Road trap in the town of Cicero is negative for EEEV. With this update, Onondaga County has no evidence of EEEV positive mosquito pools to date.

Dr. Gupta also explained that although mosquito counts are low so far this season, it is still 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 and your family 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 information about personal protection measures against mosquitoes, visit our website at www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html or contact the Division of Environmental Health at (315) 435-1649.

Mosquito Pool Found Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, has been notified that a mosquito pool from a trap located at Island Road in the town of Cicero has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV). Dr. Gupta explained, “EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, therefore 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 although mosquito counts are low so far this season, it is still 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 EEEV 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 435-1649.

Lyme Disease is Preventable!

By Jackie Shostack, MSEd, Public Health Education Supervisor
Bureau of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Onondaga County Health Department
It’s been a great summer and I hope everyone’s been enjoying the outdoors. Onondaga County has so many beautiful parks to explore and play in. However, when you are outside, you need to play it safe! This time of year not only brings nice weather but it also brings ticks. And with ticks, we see Lyme disease.

A couple of weeks ago, my son was at a camp with a group that went hiking through the woods. When they returned from their hike, they partnered up and did a tick check on each other as well as thoroughly checking themselves. When he told me this, I realized that as a health educator, I talk to groups in our community about how to protect themselves from Lyme disease but I never really educated my own family and friends about it and what they need to do to prevent tick bites! Now I include my own circle of family 92806200 (Small)and friends in the conversation about how to protect themselves from Lyme disease. You should do this too!

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi, which is carried by deer ticks. Specifically, the black legged deer tick. Not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria, but you need to do everything you can to protect yourself from tick bites. The good news is that we can prevent Lyme disease and it’s important that we all know what to do when we are outdoors, whether it’s hiking on a trail, playing at a park, or just enjoying your own backyard. If you find a tick attached to your skin, don’t panic! Remember, an infected tick needs to be attached for 36 to 48 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease bacteria. So, take a deep breath, relax, and find a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to remove it carefully. Visit the Onondaga County Health Department’s webpage to see a video on how to properly remove a tick. Once you have removed the tick, keep an eye on the bite site for 30 days. You should consult your health care provider for any questions you may have regarding symptoms, testing, and treatment.

Don’t forget about your pets. They can also bring ticks into your home. Talk to your veterinarian about tick control products. You’re not only protecting them but treating them also will help prevent your pets from bringing ticks into your home. So, don’t be afraid to go outside and have fun and bring your pets along too!

For more information so you can educate others, please see the resources below.

Resources:
OCHD: Lyme disease: https://www.ongov.net/health/lyme.html
NYSDOH: Tick and Lyme disease: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/
CDC: Lyme disease: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/

Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach Reopened for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that the, Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach located in the town of Cicero, is open again for swimming.  Swimming at this beach was closed on August 10th due to high bacteria levels of E.coli in the water.  Lisa Letteney, Director of Environmental Health, explained that water quality test results received today now show acceptable levels.

Oneida Shores Beach Reopened for Swimming

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 on August 10, 2016 due to high bacteria levels of E.coli in the water.  Lisa Letteney, Director of Environmental Health, explained that water quality test results received today now show acceptable levels.  The Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach, also located in the Town of Cicero, remains closed to swimming due to high levels of E-coli bacteria in the water.

 

Two Public Beaches Closed for Swimming Due to High Bacterial Counts

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach and the Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach, both located in the Town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Health Department monitors water at public beaches routinely and closes swimming when bacteria levels exceed acceptable standards. The Health Department will continue to test daily until the samples show acceptable levels and will notify the public when the beaches are reopened for swimming. Please note that although closed for swimming, the parks’ other amenities remain open during normal hours of operation.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or can cause brief diarrhea. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

For information about beach swimming safety visit:
Beach Water Quality Information (NYSDOH): https://ny.healthinspections.us/ny_beaches/faq.cfm
Healthy Swimming: Oceans, Lakes, & Rivers (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/oceans-lakes-rivers/index.html

Time for Back-to-School Vaccines

Now is the time to make sure your kids’ vaccinations (shots) are up-to-date so that they are ready to return to school in September.  Having all school required vaccines not only protects your child from harmful infections, it also protects your family, their classmates and the community.  It is important to contact your child’s health care provider to make sure your child has received all the needed immunizations for this school year.

Childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Thanks to the widespread acceptance of vaccines, many of the infectious diseases that once were commonplace are now rare in the United States.  However, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as whooping cough, measles, or mumps can still happen, especially in places where a sizable number of children are exempted because of religious or philosophical reasons.

To attend school, children are required to be up-to-date on their shots.  For the 2016-2017 school year, immunization requirements have changed.  Adolescents need to receive one meningococcal vaccine before 7th grade and two before 12th grade (unless the first dose is after 16 years of age).  New York State law requires that students have proof of all required vaccines or be removed from school until the vaccines are obtained.

The Onondaga County Health Department encourages you to check with your health care provider to make sure your kids are up-to-date on all required vaccines.  Schedule your appointment TODAY for any needed immunizations.   No insurance?  Visit the Onondaga County Health Department Immunization Clinic.  Having no insurance is not a barrier and all vaccines children need for school are offered.  For more information on the clinic, call 435-2000.

 

Blue-Green Algae Advisory Issued for Hiawatha Lake

Onondaga County Health Department has issued a Blue-Green Algae Advisory for Hiawatha Lake located in Onondaga Park in the City of Syracuse. This advisory was issued because a blue-green algae bloom has been identified in the lake; although this is not a public swimming area, 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 the water
• 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:
• Blue-Green Algae and Health: www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/
• Dogs and Algae Blooms: www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

Oneida Shores Beach Closed Due to High Bacterial Counts

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach located in the Town of Cicero will be closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Health Department monitors water at public beaches routinely and closes swimming when bacterial levels exceed acceptable standards. The Health Department will continue to test daily until the samples show acceptable levels and will notify the public when the beach is reopened for swimming.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or can cause brief diarrhea. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

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 25 through Friday, July 29, 2016.  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: