Positive Rabies in a Raccoon and in Bats Found in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a raccoon found in the Rt. 11A area of Nedrow has tested positive for rabies.  In addition, two bats have tested positive for rabies, one in the Town of Lafayette and the other in the Town of Manlius.  So far this season, the total number of animals testing positive for rabies is ten.

Ms. Mignano reinforced, “We are seeing high numbers of animals testing positive for rabies this season, further emphasizing the need to remain vigilant and to never touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid.  Rabies is preventable by avoiding close contact to wildlife and domestic pets that you are unfamiliar with.”

The Onondaga County Health Department’s Animal Disease Program reminds residents that if you find a bat in your house, it is recommended that you trap the bat and have it tested.

  •  Trap all bats found in your house.  It is important that all bats that come into direct contact with people get tested.
  •  Protect yourself before trapping the bat. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and a hat.
  •  Keep the bat inside – do not let it escape outdoors.  Shut the door of the room to keep the bat isolated.  Turn the lights on to slow the bat down. Collect the bat in a container with a secure
  •  lid. Call Animal Disease Control at 435-3165 for further instruction.
  •  If you cannot trap the bat, call a trapper.  Look in the yellow pages under “Animal Removal–Wildlife.”

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.

Any mammal can get rabies, but it is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Below are important steps to prevent rabies:

  • Teach children to stay away from unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
  • See your doctor for attention for any trauma due to an animal attack.
  • If you come into contact with an animal exhibiting signs of rabies such as unusual  behavior,  change in the voice of the animal, signs of paralysis (weakness), a hard time swallowing with  a lot of salivation, and/or  acting lethargic (very weak), contact Animal Disease Prevention at 435-3165.
  • Keep your pet’s vaccinations current. This is especially important for your pet dogs, cats, and ferrets. New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get an initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years.   Getting your pet regularly vaccinated can help stop the spread of rabies from wild animals to humans

The Onondaga County Health Department offers a number of rabies shot clinics throughout the year to protect your pet from rabies (see clinic details below). For more information on how to bat proof your house, visit www.ongov.net/health or call 435-3165.

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 15, 2014 at our Taft Road trap site located at East Taft Road (near the Totman Road intersection).  This is the second mosquito pool identified with EEE this season at the Taft Road location.   Aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp had been already scheduled for this evening due to both the recent high mosquito count and because of a positive EEE mosquito pool identified last week.

Aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas will be done this evening between the hours of 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Residents in the spray areas have been notified through the media and through the emergency notification system. The designated spray areas are generally bounded on the north by Route 31, on the west by Northern Boulevard, on the south by Taft Road and on the east by the county line (Chittenango Creek).  Roads included in this area are:  all or parts of Route 298, Bull Street, Eastwood Road, Island Road, Cicero Center Road, Fergerson Road, Ferstler Road, and Oxbow Road.  The pesticide that will be used for aerial spraying is Kontrol. This pesticide is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation for this use. A copy of the pesticide label can be found on the Onondaga County website at /health/documents/MasterLineKontrol30-30label.pdf.

During spraying, it is recommended that residents:

  • Stay indoors and keep windows closed for one hour after your area has been sprayed.
  • Keep pets indoors if possible.
  • Cover outdoor gardens and rinse vegetables before eating.
  • Set your window air conditioners to circulate indoor air.  It is safe to use your central air conditioning.
  • Remove children’s toys that are outdoors, any outdoor furniture, and clothes from outdoor clotheslines.
  • If toys or clothes have been left outdoors, wash each thoroughly with soap and water before using and launder clothes before wearing.
  • If you are driving during the spraying, close your car windows and vents.

It is also 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.

To view a map of the aerial spraying area: visit /health/documents/county_environmental_health_cicero_swamp_spraying_911_notification_map.pdf.

To view 2014 Vector Control Public Notice for Aerial Pesticide Application of the Cicero Swamp visit /health/PublicNotice.html. For more information about personal protection measures contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-1649.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Interim Commissioner of Health, Michelle Mignano, announced that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported finding evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a mosquito pool. The mosquito pool was collected on July 10, 2014 at our Taft Road trap site located at East Taft Road (near the Totman Road intersection).

Due to this finding and the recent high mosquito count, aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas will be done on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., weather permitting. Residents in the spray areas will be notified through the media and through the emergency notification system. The designated spray areas are  generally bounded on the north by Route 31, on the west by Northern Boulevard, on the south by Taft Road and on the east by the county line (Chittenango Creek).  Roads included in this area are:  all or parts of Route 298, Bull Street, Eastwood Road, Island Road, Cicero Center Road, Fergerson Road, Ferstler Road and Oxbow Road.  The pesticide that will be used for aerial spraying is Kontrol. This pesticide is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation for this use. A copy of the pesticide label can be found on the Onondaga County website at /health/documents/MasterLineKontrol30-30label.pdf.

During spraying, it is recommended that residents:

  • Stay indoors and keep windows closed for one hour after your area has been sprayed
  • Keep pets indoors if possible
  • Cover outdoor gardens and  rinse vegetables before eating
  • Set your window air conditioners to circulate indoor air.  It is safe to use your central air conditioning
  • Remove children’s toys that are outdoors, any outdoor furniture, and clothes from outdoor clotheslines
  • If toys or clothes have been left outdoors, wash each thoroughly with soap and water before using and launder clothes before wearing
  • If you are driving during the spraying, close your car windows and vents

It is also 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

To view a map of the aerial spraying area visit: /health/documents/county_environmental_health_cicero_swamp_spraying_911_notification_map.pdf.
To view 2014 Vector Control Public Notice for Aerial Pesticide Application of the Cicero Swamp visit /health/PublicNotice.html. For more information about personal protection measures contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-1649.

Bat Positive for Rabies in the Town of Cicero

Onondaga County Interim Commissioner of Health, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a bat found on Lakeshore Road in the Town Of Cicero has tested positive for rabies. Ms. Mignano stresses, “It is important to bat-proof your home to keep bats out of your house and away from you and your family. However, if you are exposed to a bat in your home, it is important to trap the bat and call Animal Disease Control for further guidance”. 

The Health Department recommends the following steps to catch a bat. You can also go online to watch a video on how to trap a bat at: /health/ADP.html.
§ Wear gloves and do not touch the bat.
§ Keep the bat confined to one room (close the door, windows, and closet doors).
§ Turn on the lights if the room is dark.
§ Wait for the bat to land and cover the bat with a coffee can or container (do not damage the bat’s head)
§ Slide a piece of cardboard under the can trapping the bat. (Do not use glue board to capture the bat (it cannot be easily removed for rabies testing).Tape the cardboard tightly to the can.
§ Use a net or long pole with a piece of duct tape (sticky side out) to capture the bat, if necessary.
§ Immediately contact the Bureau of Animal Disease Prevention at 435] 3165 to arrange for rabies testing of the bat.
It is important to bat-proof your home and to keep them out. Do this by being sure to look for holes in common entry places like the garage, attic, and basement. Then, plug up any holes in the house with steel wool, repair window screen holes with wire mesh, and caulk any other openings or cracks.
Furthermore, it is important to keep your pet’s rabies vaccination 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. The Onondaga County Health Department offers a number of clinics throughout the year to protect your pet from rabies. New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get an initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. For a full schedule of upcoming rabies vaccination clinics visit www.ongov.net/health, or call 435-3165.

Jamesville Beach Closed to Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department today announced that Jamesville Beach located in the Town of Lafayette is closed to swimming due to high levels of bacteria in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department monitors public beach water quality 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 their gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

Positive Skunk Found in the Town of Onondaga

Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a skunk found in the Town of Onondaga has tested positive for rabies. The skunk was seen on Lords Hill Road, near Route 20.

Ms. Mignano reinforced, “This is the seventh case of rabies in animals this year, the public should avoid contact with wildlife and unfamiliar animals.” Avoiding risky exposure is extremely important in preventing rabies. Personal protection includes staying away from all wild animals and domestic animals that you do not know and/or you do not have permission to touch. It is also crucial that pet owners vaccinate their dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies exposure.

Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It is most often transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal, but can potentially be spread through contact with an animal’s saliva on an open wound or scratch. It can take several weeks to several months for rabies symptoms to appear. Early treatment after an exposure can prevent rabies. Any mammal can get rabies, but it is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Below are additional steps for you to reduce or prevent rabies exposure:

  • keep your pets under your supervision so they don´t come into contact with wild animals
  • do not handle wild animals and if you see one acting strangely, call Animal Disease Control at 435-3165
  • teach children to tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal
  • if you´re bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes, and then seek medical attention and call Animal Disease Control
  • have your pets spayed or neutered.

The Onondaga County Health Department offers a number of rabies vaccination clinics throughout the year to protect your pet from rabies. The next rabies shot clinic is being held tomorrow:  Thursday, July 10th from 2:00 pm -4:00 pm at the Onondaga Nation Fire Department on Route 11A in Nedrow.  This clinic is open to the public and no appointment is necessary. For a full schedule of upcoming rabies clinics, visit /health/documents/RabiesClinicSchedule.pdf or call 435-3165.

Positive Raccoon Found in the Town of LaFayette

Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a raccoon found in the Town of Lafayette has tested positive for rabies. The raccoon was seen in the Route 20 area between O’Connell and Berry Roads.

Ms. Mignano explained, “It is important never to touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid and protecting yourself from rabies is important throughout the year.”  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.
Any mammal can get rabies, but it is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Below are important steps to prevent rabies:
  • Teach children to stay away from unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
  • See your doctor for attention for any trauma due to an animal attack.
  • If you come into contact with an animal exhibiting signs of rabies such as unusual  behavior,  change in the voice of the animal, signs of paralysis (weakness), a hard time swallowing with  a lot of salivation, and/or  acting lethargic (very weak), contact Animal Disease Prevention at 435-3165.
  • Keep your pet’s vaccinations current. This is especially important for your pet dogs, cats, and ferrets. New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get an initial shot at three months of age, with a booster shot every three years. Getting your pet regularly vaccinated can help stop the spread of rabies from wild animals to humans.
The Onondaga County Health Department offers a number of clinics throughout the year to protect your pet from rabies. The next rabies shot clinic is being held on: Thursday, July 10th from 2:00 pm -4:00 pm at the Onondaga Nation Fire Department; Route 11A in Nedrow.  This clinic is open to the public and no appointment is necessary.  For a full schedule of upcoming rabies clinics, visit www.ongov.net/health or call 435-3165.

Additional Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Found In Onondaga County

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 four mosquito pools all in the Town of Cicero.  Two of the mosquito pools were collected at the Rt. 298 site, one was collected at the Taft Road site, and another located at the Island Road trap. Ms. Mignano explained, “Although the mosquito counts have been lower than anticipated, with four positive pools it is imperative 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

Rabies Shot Clinic at Onondaga Nation Open to the Public

The Onondaga County Health Department, in cooperation with the Onondaga Nation, will be offering a rabies shot clinic on Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Onondaga Nation Fire Department. The Fire Department is located on Rte. 11A in  Nedrow. No appointment is necessary and the clinic is open to the public.

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. For more information, call the Onondaga County Health Department’s Animal Disease Control Program at 435-3165. For a complete list of rabies shot clinics visit: /health/ADP.html.