Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, announced that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported finding evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in two mosquito pools near the Cicero Swamp. Both mosquito pools were collected on August 13, 2013 at our Taft Road trap site located at East Taft Road (near the Totman Road intersection).

Due to these findings, recent mosquito counts, and other factors, aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas will be on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 7:00 pm,  weather permitting.   Residents in the spray areas, in addition to being notified through the media, will be notified through the emergency notification system. The designated spray area is 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.    If someone would like a written copy of the pesticide label please call 435-1649.
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 tin cans, 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
 To view 2013 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.

Wildlife Positive for Rabies in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Deputy Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a fox and a raccoon in Onondaga County have tested positive for rabies. The fox was seen in the vicinity of Delhi Road and Clinton Street in the village of Jordan.  The raccoon was seen in the vicinity of Hitchings Road, Lafayette in the town of Otisco.   Any person who had physical contact with a fox or raccoon in these areas should call the Onondaga County Health Department Animal Disease Control Program at 435-3165 immediately.

Michelle Mignano stresses, “This is the time of year that the public may encounter wildlife.   It is important not to touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid.” 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 some steps to help 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 medical attention immediately.
  • If your family or your pet has been exposed to a bat, capture the bat and have it 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. To watch a video on how to catch  a bat visit:  /health/ADP.html
  • 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, with a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. For a full schedule of upcoming rabies clinics, visit www.ongov.net/health or call 435-3165.

AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

Don’t Forget Your Preteen or Teen!

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This campaign is a reminder for people of all ages about the importance of getting vaccinated (shots). Preteens and teens are a group that you may not think about when talking about shots. Immunizations can help protect your preteen or teen from diseases they may be at risk for now and the future. As teens get older, the protection provided by some childhood vaccines begins to wear off; therefore, additional shots are needed (boosters). There are also new shots that are recommended for their age group.

There are four vaccines recommended for preteens and teens. Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. In addition to the flu shot, adolescents should be given three other vaccines when they are 11 – 12 years old, including Tdap, Meningitis, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Ask your health care provider at your next office visit about the shots your preteen or teen may need.
The vaccines recommended for adolescents include:
·        Tdap vaccine, to provide additional protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis, or whooping cough, can keep children out of school for weeks. It can also be spread to babies, which can be very dangerous.
·        Meningitis vaccine, to protect against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis (a serious infection around the brain and spinal cord).
·        HPV vaccine, to protect against HPV. It is recommended for both boys and girls. HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer in girls, and can also cause genital warts, throat cancer and anal cancer in both girls and boys.
·        Influenza vaccine, to protect against the flu. Even healthy kids can get the flu, and it can be serious. All kids should get the flu vaccine every year.
Preteens and teens are looking to you to help protect their health. Adolescents require a Tdap vaccine before the start of 6th grade for school entrance. If you are a parent or guardian, review your child’s shot record, talk to your child’s health care provider, and make sure your child is up-to-date on vaccinations and ready to go back to school. Schedule your appointment TODAY for any needed immunizations. This will prevent your child from missing any days from school due to needing vaccinations.
For more information on immunizations, contact the Onondaga County Health Department at
435-2000 or visit www.ongov.net.

Second Finding of 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 evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County. The finding was in a mosquito pool collected at the Route 298 trap in the Town of Cicero on July 23, 2013 and sent to the New York State laboratory for testing. This is the second 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, “This finding is not unusual for this time of year. It is important that the public 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.

First Evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County.  The finding was in a mosquito pool collected at the Minoa Sewage Treatment Plant (located on Kalin Drive in the Town of Manlius) on June 28, 2013 and sent to the New York State laboratory for testing.  This is the first finding of West Nile virus in Onondaga County this year. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus reported in Onondaga County this year.

Onondaga County started its adult mosquito surveillance program in May.  Dr. Morrow explained, “This is a reminder that it is essential that the public take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by consistently using personal protection measures.  Also, keep your yard free from standing water because this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes to multiply.”

Using personal protection measures is a key way in helping to reduce the risk of illness from mosquitoes. 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 and ways to reduce mosquito breeding, 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; this website is updated weekly.

National HIV Testing Day June 27, 2013

National HIV Testing Day June 27, 2013

 

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Cynthia B. Morrow, encourages all Onondaga County residents to learn their HIV status.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one out of five people living with HIV in the United States is  unaware of their HIV status. Because many people with HIV do not have symptoms, the only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Even if you do not feel sick, getting early treatment for HIV is important because  early treatment can help you live longer, have a healthier life, and can reduce the spread of HIV.

National HIV Testing Day offers an opportunity for people nationwide to learn their HIV status and to gain knowledge to take control of their health and their lives. On Wednesday, June 26, 2013 the CNY HIV Care Network is sponsoring “National HIV Testing Day” at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center located at 421 Montgomery Street in Syracuse. Free, confidential, and anonymous HIV Rapid Testing will be provided by the New York State Department of Health and AIDS Community Resources from 9:00 am -3:00 pm in Room 80 (located in the basement of the Civic Center). 

 

Did you know?

World wide:

  • Over 1.8 million people have died of AIDS
  • Over 34.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS

United States:

  • 1.1 million people are currently living with HIV in the US, with approximately 47,500 new infections in 2010
  • 84% of new infections in women are heterosexually transmitted
  • 57% of all new infections in the US are people between the ages of 13 and 34 years of age

Onondaga County:

  • According to the most recently available data (cases reported and confirmed through December 2010) there were 1,323 total AIDS cases in Onondaga County
  • According to the most recently available data (cases reported and confirmed through December 2010) there were 957 individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Onondaga County
  • Of the cases reported and confirmed in 2010, there were 41 newly diagnosed HIV cases in Onondaga County

 

Take the Test and Take Control!

Oneida Shores park Beach Remains Closed for Swimming

Onondaga County Deputy Commissioner of Health, Linda Karmen, announced today that Oneida Shores Beach located in the town of Cicero, will remain closed for swimming due to continued high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water.  Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. Karmen explained that 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.

Raccoon Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a raccoon found in the Town of Marcellus has tested positive for rabies.  This is the first positive rabies findings of the season.  The raccoon was seen in the vicinity of West Seneca Turnpike.  Any person who had physical contact with a raccoon in this area should call the Onondaga County Health Department Animal Disease Control Program at 435-3165 immediately.

Dr. Morrow stresses, “It is important not to touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid.” 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 some 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 medical attention immediately.
•  If your family (or your pet) has been exposed to a bat, capture the bat and have it 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.
•  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 clinics, or to view a video on how to capture a bat, visit www.ongov.net/health or call 435-3165.

cycle in the city

Looking for a great way to see the city and stay fit?  Starting Sunday, May 19, the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play in Onondaga County program, the City of Syracuse, and numerous other partners will be offering a series of “Cycle in the City” bicycle rides.  The rides will provide an opportunity for residents to visit different areas of the city and see some of the sites the city has to offer through guided bicycle rides.

Cycle in the City will take place each month from May to October.  Additional dates for the Sunday rides are June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, and October 6.  All rides will depart at 9:00 AM from the Syracuse Parks and Recreation offices back parking lot, located at 412 Spencer Street.   All bike rides are 10 miles.  A different area of the city will be highlighted each month.  Riders must be 12 years of age or older and helmets are required for every rider.   Rides are free and pre-registration is not required.

Riding a bicycle is good for your health and is also good for the environment.  Those who ride bicycles regularly for either transportation or recreation may have reduced rates of disease and increased cardiovascular fitness.   Biking is also an activity that is environmentally friendly, utilizes no fuel, and creates no air or noise pollution.

Come join us for a morning of fun and fitness!  For more information, please contact the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Onondaga County program at 435-3280.

Mosquito Borne Surveillance

The Onondaga County Health Department announced that the annual mosquito-borne virus surveillance and control program will start on or about May 20th and run through October 18th. The program consists of collecting and testing mosquitoes for various viruses including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The program also uses larvicides to control mosquito population before the mosquitoes become breeding, biting adults. A list of pesticides that will be used along with their labels can be found on the Onondaga County website at www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html.  A written copy of the pesticide labels may be requested by calling 435-1649.