Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, is re-opening for swimming. Swimming at Oneida Shores was closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Kevin Zimmerman, Director of Environmental Health, explained that lake water quality test results received today are now at acceptable levels.
Update on Ground Spraying for Mosquitoes in Cicero Neighborhoods
Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the ground spraying for mosquitos will take place on Monday August 18th or Tuesday, August 19th between the hours of 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., weather permitting. Ground spraying will be done in neighborhoods surrounding the Cicero Swamp. All residents in this spray area will be notified about this change by the emergency reverse telephone 911 notification systems.
For more information or to view the mosquito spraying area map, visit /health/PublicNotice.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-1649.
Oneida Shores Park Beach Closed to Swimming
The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, will be closed to swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department monitors lake water routinely and closes swimming when bacteria levels exceed acceptable standards.
Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause brief diarrhea. While only some types of bacteria will cause gastrointestinal illness, the presence of E. coli bacteria is an indicator of increased general bacterial action in the water. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.
AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH
Is your child ready to go back to school?
To celebrate the importance of immunizations throughout life, and to make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need, the Onondaga County Immunization Program is observing National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). During NIAM, parents are encouraged to check with their child’s health care provider to make sure your child has all of the required vaccinations for daycare or school.
Before the start of school, children are required by New York State law to be up-to-date on their shots. Immunization requirements for school entrance have changed this school year to more closely match the immunization schedule determined each year by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The goal of the changes is to assure that more children are fully immunized, and not just getting the vaccines required for daycare or school entrance. For a chart showing what vaccines are needed visit the Onondaga County Health Department immunization webpage at www.ongov.net.
Without up-to-date vaccinations, children are not allowed entrance to school. Contact your child’s health care provider to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations for this school year. Schedule your appointment TODAY for any needed immunizations. For more information on immunizations, contact the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-2000.
Oneida Shores Beach is Open Again for Swimming
The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach is re-opening for swimming at Oneida Shores Park in the town of Cicero. Oneida Shores was closed due to the presence of blue green algae in the water. Kevin Zimmerman, Director of Environmental Health, explained that lake water quality test results received today are now at acceptable levels.
Onondaga County Resident Diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, was notified by the New York State Department of Health today that an Onondaga County adult resident has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Ms. Mignano explained, “This is the first known human case of EEE in Onondaga County since 2010. It is essential that residents consistently take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes”. Mignano stated that the individual is currently hospitalized and is in stable condition. To protect the privacy of this patient and of the family, additional details are not being shared with the public.
EEE is a rare but dangerous viral infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Initial symptoms, which usually start 4-10 days after the bite, can include fever, headache, and vomiting. Illness can then progress to altered mental status, confusion, seizures, coma, and even death. The greatest risk for infection with this virus is for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.
The Onondaga County Health Department conducted aerial spraying of the Cicero swamp on July 22, 2014 and explained if additional spraying is determined necessary, the public will be notified through the media and by the emergency reverse 911 notification system.
It is important that the public continue to take measures to minimize being bitten by mosquitoes and to keep your yard free from standing water to reduce the mosquito population near your home. Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Personal protection is advised during outdoor activities. Personal protection measures include wearing shoes and 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.
The following are ways of helping to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:
- 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 Eastern Equine Encephalitis contact or about personal protection measures contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-1649 or visit /health/mosquitoborne.html or
http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/west_nile_virus/mosquitoes_and_disease_faq_htm.
Annual Eradication of Water Chestnuts in the Seneca River
The Onondaga County Health Department will begin to eradicate water chestnuts in the Seneca River in the Baldwinsville and Three Rivers areas beginning on August 5, 2014. Water chestnuts are an annual plant that is rooted in the sediment. The plant spreads rapidly and seeds can remain dormant for up to 12 years. Due to its dense formation, water chestnuts impede navigation and can have a substantial impact on native species of submerged grasses, as it is capable of blocking all sunlight from reaching the sediment surface.
The herbicide that will be used for this purpose is Clearcast (active ingredient: imazamox). Clearcast is considered safe for the control of vegetation in and around aquatic and non-cropland sites. (However, Clearcast is harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled and can cause moderate eye irritation and avoid breathing in the spray mist so we are asking the public to avoid areas when being treated).
For more information about the areas to be treated and the pesticide Clearcast visit:
/health/legalnotice.html
http://www.sepro.com/documents/clearcast_Label.pdf
Two Public Beaches Closed Due to Blue-Green Algae
The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach and Joseph F.
William Memorial Park Beach, both in the Town of Cicero, will be closed to swimming due to dense
algae bloom containing blue-green algae. Swimming will not be allowed until further notice.
Blue-green algal 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 cause skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and
vomiting if ingested. People and animals should keep out of the water where algae blooms are present
in any body of water.
More can be learned about blue]green algae at:
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html
Rabies Shot Clinic at St. Lucy’s Church Cancelled
The Onondaga County Health Department’s Rabies Shot Clinic previously scheduled for August 14, 2014 at St. Lucy’s Church on Gifford Street in Syracuse is now cancelled due to building maintenance.
There are five more rabies shot clinics scheduled for 2014. For a complete listing please visit:
/health/documents/RabiesClinicSchedule.pdf.
Additional Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a mosquito pool. The mosquito pool was collected on July 22, 2014 at our Taft Road trap site located at East Taft Road (near the Totman Road intersection). This is the third mosquito pool identified with EEE this season at the Taft Road location. Aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp was conducted on July 22, 2014 due to the high mosquito count and because of positive EEE mosquito pools that have been previously identified. Ms. Mignano explained “Due to recent rainfall along with predicted warm temperatures, residents should expect that mosquito activity will increase. This new finding further reinforces that EEE is in our environment and that it is prudent that residents practice both personal protection measures and take steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds on their property.”
Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Personal protection is advised during outdoor activities. Personal protection measures include 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.
The following are ways of helping to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:
- 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 or visit /health/mosquitoborne.html