National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Octboer 20 – October 26, 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant health problems. This estimate uses the new lower blood lead level standard set by the CDC in 2012. In Onondaga County, more than 9% of children tested in 2012 had high blood lead levels.  Major sources of lead exposure in children residing in Onondaga County include lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings.  The good news is that childhood lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

To raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) is joining our state and federal partners to promote National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 20-26th, 2013.  This year’s theme, “Lead Free Kids for a Healthy Future” reinforces the importance of testing your home for lead, testing your child for lead, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Morrow explained, “The most important thing we can do to prevent childhood lead exposure is to treat the source of the problem, which is often in the home.”  Morrow emphasized that there are many ways families can reduce a child’s exposure to lead and encourages following these simple steps to protect your family:

  • Get your home tested for lead.   If you rent your home, call the Onondaga County Health Department to learn about getting a free lead home inspection.
  • Get a lead home inspection before buying an older home (pre-1978).  Home repair grants are available to remove lead from homes for residents of both the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County.
  • Get your child tested.  Have your child tested at age 1 and again at 2.  Even if your children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.
  • Get the facts!  The OCHD Lead Program can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning by calling 435-3271, visiting www.ongov.net/health, or finding us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ongovhealth.

WIC Clinic Access: West Onondaga Street Construction

A portion of West Onondaga Street is currently closed to traffic due to road construction. Road construction is expected to be completed by Saturday, October 26th.

Cynthia B. Morrow, Commissioner of Health, is urging WIC participants at the Onondaga County Health Department WIC Clinic located at 375 West Onondaga Street to please keep their WIC appointments. Despite the road closure, this WIC Clinic is fully operational. WIC participants may gain access to this WIC clinic site by speaking with the construction staff stationed at the intersection of West Onondaga and East Adams Streets. This is the only point of access to 375 West Onondaga Street while the road is closed.

For more information please call the Onondaga County Health Department WIC clinic at 435-3304.

More West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of both West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Onondaga County. The West Nile virus finding was in a mosquito pool collected from the Taft Road trap located in the town of Cicero.  In addition, there were three positive EEE mosquito pools:  one from the Route 298 trap, another from the Island Road trap, and a third from the Taft Road trap, each located in the town of Cicero.  Overall mosquito counts continue to be low.

Morrow reminded residents, “It is important that the public continue to take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to keep your yard free from standing water to reduce the mosquito population near your home until we have a hard frost.”

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 plastic 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.  For more information about mosquito borne disease visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html; this website is updated weekly.

More West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of both West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Onondaga County. The West Nile virus finding was in a mosquito pool collected from the Island Road trap located in the town of Cicero.  In addition, there were two positive EEE mosquito pools, one from the Route 298 trap and the other from the Taft Road trap, each located in the town of Cicero.     Overall mosquito counts continue to be low.

Morrow reminded residents, “It is important that the public continue to take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to keep your yard free from standing water to reduce the mosquito population near your home until we have a hard frost.”

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 plastic 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.  For more information about mosquito borne disease visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html; this website is updated weekly.

 

The Onondaga County Health Department Announces A Public Flu and Pneumonia Vaccine Clinic

The flu vaccine is available in more locations than ever before, with many convenient options for Onondaga County residents with health insurance.   For these reasons, this year the Onondaga County Health Department, in cooperation with the Spanish Action League,  will be holding one public flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic, with a special emphasis on offering vaccines for uninsured individuals.  This clinic is scheduled on Friday, October 25th from 1:30 pm -4:30 pm, at the Spanish Action League (LaLiga), located at 700 Oswego Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.  Residents who would like more information on this flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic are encouraged to call the Health Department’s flu hotline at 435-5752.

This clinic is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary.  The fee for the flu vaccine is based on a sliding fee scale, family income, and family size.  The cost for a flu vaccine will range from
$0 – $30.  Pneumonia shots will be $65.  Medicaid and Medicaid-managed care will be accepted as well. Nobody  will be turned away due to their inability to pay.

Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, explained, “Getting your flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent getting the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over six (6) months old get a flu vaccine.” Morrow further emphasized that the flu vaccine is especially important for children and adults with high risk conditions such as asthma.

The Onondaga County Health Department flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic will provide flu vaccines for anyone six (6) months of age and older.  Furthermore, FluMist„µ (a vaccine that is sprayed inside the nose) will also be available for those who prefer an alternative to the traditional flu shot.  FluMist„µ is only recommended and offered to healthy children and adults ages 2-49 years old.

The CDC continues to reinforce that an annual flu vaccine is particularly important for persons at high risk for complications from the flu, or for those who have contact with people at high risk.  Those include the following:

„X Pregnant women
„X Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
„X People 50 years of age and older
„X People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
„X People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
„X People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
o Health care workers
o Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
o Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Children under the age of nine who have never had a flu vaccine series before will need two doses of vaccine (either the shot or FluMist®).  The second vaccine should be given one month after the first shot or FluMist®.  If your child is under age nine (9) and only received one dose of vaccine last year, they should receive one dose this year.

Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect your health as well as your family, friends, and others.  Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and others!  For more information, call the Health Department’s flu hotline at 435-5752.

Changes to Availability of TB Testing Due to National Shortage

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Cynthia B. Morrow, MD, MPH, announced today that due to an ongoing national shortage of Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) Solution which is used to test for tuberculosis, the Onondaga County Health Department’s Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program will be prioritizing individuals in need of PPD testing using the Centers for Disease Control’s criteria and guidelines. Highest priority persons for testing include:

1. Persons who are contacts to infectious TB cases,
2. Persons being evaluated for suspected active TB,
3. Persons at increased risk for TB due to medical conditions,
4. Persons recently arrived from countries with high numbers of active TB cases.

We will continue to test individuals who meet the above criteria at the Civic Center location, Room 80. PPD testing is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 am – 11:30 am.  Individuals who require annual employee/student testing, initial testing of new employees/students or daycare testing are recommended to contact their current primary care provider for testing or their referring agency for more guidance until the shortage has resolved.

If you have any questions, please contact the TB Control Program at (315) 435-3236.

More West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County. The finding was in a mosquito pool collected from the Route 298 trap in the Town of Cicero on September 12, 2013 and sent to the New York State laboratory for testing.  Morrow reminded residents, “Until we have a hard frost, and while there is still mosquito activity, it is important that the public continue to take measures to avoid 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 plastic 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.  For more information about mosquito borne disease visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html; this website is updated weekly.

Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found in Onondaga County Mosquito Pool

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow, announced today that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported additional evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in an Onondaga County mosquito pool. A mosquito pool collected on September 10, 2013 at the East Taft Road trap was identified as having EEE. “Given very low mosquito counts and the recent weather, especially the frost last night, there is no plan to perform additional spraying” said Morrow.   She reminded the public that they should continue to practice personal protection measures to minimize their risk of mosquito borne illness as long as there is any mosquito activity.

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.

In addition to personal protection, the following are ways of helping to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:
„X Throw away outdoor plastic containers, ceramic pots or containers that hold water
„X Remove all tires from your property
„X Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
„X Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
„X Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
„X Change water in bird baths at least every four days
„X Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
„X Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
„X Drain water from pool covers
„X 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.  For weekly mosquito borne disease updates visit:  www.ongov.net/health/mosquitobornedisease.

Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported additional evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito pools. Mosquito pools collected on September 4, 2013 at the East Taft Road trap were identified as having both EEE and WNV.“Given very low mosquito counts and the extended weather forecast, there are no plans to perform additional spraying at this time” said Morrow. She reinforced that these findings provide further evidence that the public must continue to practice personal protection measures and to keep their yard free from standing water to reduce the mosquito population.

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 plastic 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. For weekly mosquito borne disease updates visit: www.ongov.net/health/mosquitobornedisease.

More West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County. The finding was in a mosquito pool collected at the Midler Avenue trap in the city of Syracuse on August 28, 2013  and sent to the New York State laboratory for testing. This is the third finding of West Nile virus in Onondaga County this year. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus this year to date.

Morrow reminded residents, “It is important that the public continue to take measures to avoid 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 plastic 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.  For more information about mosquito borne disease visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html; this website is updated weekly.