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.

Fox Found Positive for Rabies in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Interim Commissioner of Health, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported a fox found in the town of Onondaga has tested positive for rabies. Local residents were exposed to the rabies virus. Ms. Mignano stresses, “It is important to enjoy wildlife from a distance. Over 90 percent of rabies cases are from wild animals. It is important to take steps to minimize your exposure”.

Rabies prevention steps:

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, and a lot of salivation, acting lethargic (very weak), may have convulsions, and/or may die. 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 several rabies clinics throughout the year to vaccinate your pet. For more information about the rabies shot clinics visit www.ongov.net/health or call
435-3165

Bat Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Interim Commissioner of Health, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a bat found in town of Onondaga has tested positive for rabies. This is second rabid bat found in the county within the last month.

Ms. Mignano stresses, “It is important to bat-proof your home now to keep bats out of your house and away from you and your family.” Bats are generally most active between the months of May through August.

To bat proof your home, plug up any holes discovered with steel wool. Also, repair window screen holes with wire mesh and caulk any other openings or cracks.
If your family (or your pet) has been exposed to a bat, capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. If someone is bitten by a bat, be certain to wash the area where the bite occurred with soap and water and see your health care provider immediately.
If you awaken to find a bat in your room, or a bat is present in the room of an unattended or sleeping child, or in a room with someone with a mental impairment, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
Trap all bats found in your house and make sure that all bats that come into direct contact with people get tested. Before trapping the bat, protect yourself with gloves and a hat.

To trap a bat:

Keep the bat inside of your home (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 the Onondaga County Health Department’s Animal Disease Control at 435-3165 for further instruction

To view a video on how to capture a bat, visit /health/ADP.html

It is important to 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.

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.

Feral Cat Tests Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a feral cat, found in the Town of Van Buren in the Downer Street vicinity, has tested positive for rabies.

Ms. Mignano stresses that it is important not to touch or feed unknown or feral cats because they interact with wildlife and have the potential to be rabid. If you have a feral cat on your property and want to have it removed, contact a professional animal removal service.

Protecting yourself from rabies is important year round. 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 steps to help prevent rabies:
„X Teach children to stay away from unfamiliar animals, either wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
„X Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
„X If your family or your pet has been exposed to a bat, capture the bat and call the Animal Disease Prevention program at 435-3165 to receive information about having the bat tested for rabies. If you awaken to find a bat in your room, or a bat is present in the room of an unattended or sleeping child or, in a room with someone with a mental impairment, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
„X Be a responsible pet owner by keeping 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.

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. They also need to get a booster shot at one year old and again every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. For a full schedule of upcoming 2012 rabies clinics, visit www.ongov.net/health or call 435-3165.

BOIL WATER Order Has Been Lifted in Syracuse

The Onondaga County Health Department has lifted the Boil Water Order to residents and businesses in the South Clinton Street area of Syracuse between West Fayette Street and West Jefferson Street. Laboratory results have confirmed that there is no evidence of coliform bacteria and it is safe to resume drinking tap water.

Several restaurants that were forced to temporarily close due to the Boil Water Order are now open again for business. These restaurants include: The Syracuse Suds Factory, 320 S. Clinton Street; LaTaqurei, 409 S. Clinton Street; Al’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge, 321 S. Clinton Street; Continental Room, 400 S. Clinton Street; Crepe & Gelato Blvd., 315 S. Clinton Street; and Nick’s Tomato Pie, 109 Walton Street.

For more information about the Boil Water Order, call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-6600.

BOIL WATER Order For Residents in the South Clinton Street Area of Syracuse

The Onondaga County Health Department is issuing a Boil Water Order to residents and businesses in the South Clinton Street area of Syracuse between West Fayette Street and East Jefferson Street, as a result of a water main break that occurred yesterday in this area.

AS A PRECAUTION DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Additional tips residents in this area should be reminded about include:

If you use bottled water, be sure it comes from a safe source. If you do not know the source, boil or treat the water before you use it. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water until your water supply is tested and found to be safe.
Boiling water when practical is the preferred way to get rid of harmful bacterial and parasites. Bringing water to a boil for one minute will kill most organisms.
You can treat water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or unscented household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite). If you use chlorine tablets or iodine tablets, follow the directions that come with the tablets. If you use household chlorine bleach, add 1/8 teaspoons of bleach per gallon of water if the water is clear. If the water is cloudy, add ¼ of bleach per gallon. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it.

For more information about the Boil Water Order, call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-6600.

Oneida Shores Park Open Again for Swimming

Onondaga County Health Department Medical Director Quoc Nguyen, MD, announced today that swimming is re-opening at Oneida Shores Park in the town of Cicero. Yesterday Oneida Shores was closed for swimming due to high levels of coliform bacteria in the water. Nguyen explained that lake water results received today are now at acceptable levels.

Oneida Shores Park Beach Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department today announced that Oneida Shores Beach located in the town of Cicero, will be closed for 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 lake water routinely and closes swimming when bacteria levels exceed acceptable standards.

“Father’s Day is a busy weekend at Oneida Shores so we have made special accommodations to have the water tested over the weekend with the hope of re-opening the beach as soon as possible,” said Kevin Zimmerman, Director of Environmental Health.

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.