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.

Celebrate men’s Health Week With A Free Colorectal Cancer Screening

The week of June 9th – 15th is National Men’s Health Week. National Men’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance to empower men to make their health a top priority. Making your health a top priority includes following through with regular colorectal cancer screenings.

Free colorectal cancer screenings are available for uninsured men ages 50 to 64 through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP). Uninsured men are encouraged to register by phone at 435-3653 or online by visiting the CSP website at /health/cancerscreening.html. Routine screenings are an important step in the early detection of colorectal cancer. Early detection saves lives!

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. A person’s chances of developing colorectal cancer can be increased by factors such as age; having inflammatory bowel disease; or having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Routine screenings decrease a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Men’s Health Week is an optimal time to remember that the best way to detect colorectal cancer early is through routine screening. The CSP encourages uninsured men to take charge of their health by registering for a free colorectal cancer screening. Call 435-3653 today or visit us online to see if you qualify. Your health is too important to wait!

Take Steps to Prevent Drowning

With the unofficial start of summer, the Onondaga County Health Department is reminding everyone to take steps to stay safe while near any body of water, including pools.  Drowning deaths are almost always preventable when measures are taken to ensure safe water recreation.   Parents, adults, and children must be vigilant about ALWAYS using safe water recreational practices.

Drowning can occur in a variety of situations such as: swimming, boating, and while children are left unsupervised in a bathtub.  According to SAFE KIDS Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old and it is the third leading cause of death among children.  Follow these safe water recreation tips every time you are near a body of water:

Child Safe Swimming and Safety Practices:

  • Never leave a child unsupervised in or around water, even for a moment
  • Never drink alcohol while supervising children who are swimming
  • Stay within an arm’s reach of a child  who cannot swim when they are near water
  • Always have at least one adult who is the designated “water watcher” (a person whose ONLY job is to watch the people in the water)
  • Stay focused and do not engage in other activities while supervising children swimming (e.g. reading, talking on a cell phone)
  • Remove pool toys immediately after use  because they could entice young children to enter the pool on their own at a later time

 Adult Safe Swimming and Safety Practices:

  • Swim only in designated and supervised swimming areas
  • Never drink alcohol while swimming
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Enroll yourself and your children in swimming lessons
  • Install fencing at least five feet high with locks if you are a pool-owner
  • Keep rescue equipment, a telephone, and emergency phone numbers near the poolside
  • Use approved life-jackets

 For more information about water safety contact the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-3280 or go online to www.safekids.org.

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 the City of Syracuse has tested positive for rabies.  This is the first positive rabies findings of the season.

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 and August but are already out and more active.
• 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 www.ongov.net/health

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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.