FREE Mammograms Available

ONONDAGA COUNTY, OCTOBER 2, 2023 –  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In New York State, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and is the second leading cause of cancer death. One in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Many things affect a person’s chance of getting breast cancer, these are called risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be controlled and include getting older, having dense breasts, having radiation to the chest area early in life, and family history/genetics. Other risk factors can be controlled. These risk factors include being overweight, not being physically active, eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol, and smoking cigarettes.

Additional risk factors that increase your chance for breast cancer include never giving birth, not breastfeeding, or giving birth to a first child at a later age. The good news is you can lower your breast cancer risk by making healthy lifestyle choices. Remember, it is important to see your health care provider for regular check-ups.

Do not wait to get your mammogram. Regular breast cancer screening is the key to finding breast cancer early when treatment may work best. The Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) encourages anyone who has put off their mammogram, or is due for a mammogram, to call their health care provider. If you do not have health insurance, the CSP may be able to help!

Most women (about 8 out of 10) who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. However, women who have close blood relatives like a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are at a higher risk themselves. About 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, meaning they result directly from gene defects passed on from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is inherited defective BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

  • A lump, thickening, or swelling in part of the breast or underarm area
  • New pain in one spot that does not go away
  • Nipple discharge other than breastmilk, including blood
  • Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
  • Dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
  • Any change in the size or shape of the breast
  • Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breast skin
  • Itchy, scaly, sore, or rash on the nipple or other parts of the breast

The Cancer Services Program (CSP) offers free breast cancer screenings to women ages 40 and over who do not have health insurance, or who experience other barriers to completing their screenings. If any follow-up tests are needed, the CSP will provide those tests, too. If breast cancer is found, CSP will help enroll people who qualify in the NYS Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for full Medicaid coverage during treatment. Services are available at many healthcare provider sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County.

Whether you have health insurance or not, having a mammogram may save your life. If you are a woman age 40 and older and do NOT have health insurance, call 315-435-3653 or visit ongov.net/health/cancerscreening to see if you qualify for a free mammogram. 

Weather Favorable for Aerial Mosquito Spraying of Cicero Swamp

UPDATE: The spraying was completed by 8:00 pm on Friday, September 1, 2023.

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ONONDAGA COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 –  The weather forecast is favorable for aerial mosquito spraying planned for this evening of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas. The spraying will take place after 6:30pm today, Friday, September 1. The spraying is due to EEEV and WNV-positive mosquitoes from traps located in the Cicero Swamp area.

Please see the announcement here which contains pesticide information and recommended preparations for those who live in the spray area.

Spraying of the Cicero Swamp and Surrounding Areas Scheduled for Thursday, August 31, 2023

UPDATE, 8-31-23: Due to winds being greater than 7mph on Thursday evening, the aerial mosquito spraying of the Cicero Swamp and the immediate surrounding areas has been delayed. The spraying is now planned for Friday, September 1, 2023.

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ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 30, 2023 – The forecast is showing favorable weather conditions for aerial mosquito spraying of the Cicero Swamp and the immediate surrounding areas on Thursday, August 31, 2023 after 6:30 pm. The spraying was postponed from an earlier date due to weather.

The decision to spray was made as a result of mosquitoes that were found positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile Virus (WNV) from traps located in the Cicero Swamp area. Additional mosquito pools collected on August 22 were found positive for EEEV and WNV from from an Island Road trap and EEEV from a trap on Taft Road.

This proactive measure is an attempt to interrupt the mosquito breeding cycles. Reducing the number of mosquitoes (although it is temporary) can reduce the number of mosquitoes available to transmit the virus to humans.

If weather or wind conditions are unfavorable on Thursday, the spraying will be conducted on the next appropriate day and will be announced through local news, social media, and other communication channels. Residents in the spray areas will be notified by phone through the 911 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. To view a map of the spraying area, visit: www.ongov.net/health/documents/SprayMapCicero.pdf.

The pesticide that will be used for aerial spraying is Kontrol 30-30. 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 Health Department website at ongov.net/health/env/documents/Kontrol3030Label.pdf. A written copy of the label can be provided by calling 315-435-1649.

If you live in the spray area, from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm on the day of the scheduled spraying, it is recommended that you:

  • Refrain from using any flying camera drones, model aircraft or similar aerial flying products.
  • Stay indoors and keep your windows closed for one hour after the area has been sprayed.
  • Keep your pets indoors if possible.
  • Set your window air conditioners to circulate indoor air. It is safe to use your central air conditioning.
  • Keep outdoor gardens covered and rinse vegetables before eating.
  • Be sure children’s toys, outdoor furniture, and clothes on outdoor clotheslines are brought inside. If toys or clothes are left outdoors, wash each thoroughly with soap and water before using and launder clothes before wearing them.
  • Close your car windows and car vents if you are driving during the spraying.

Onondaga County residents who would like to receive community alerts by wireless phones, text messages, and/or TTY may register for the Hyper-Reach Emergency Notification System through the Department of Emergency Communications—911 Center at www.ongov.net/911/notification.html. Landlines are already included in the 911 emergency notification system.

As temperatures remain warm, so will the threat of mosquito bites that can transmit disease. The Onondaga County Health Department urges residents to use personal protection measures when spending time outdoors. For more information about spraying and protecting yourself from mosquitoes, visit www.ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.1649.

Upcoming $1 cigarette tax hike projected to save 15,300 New Yorkers’ lives

Higher costs deter youth from smoking, but flavored tobacco products continue to attract and addict new smokers
Health care providers and the NYS Smokers’ Quitline offer support for quitting 

ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 30, 2023 – Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, New York State’s cigarette tax will be the highest in the nation. The $1 hike is the first cigarette tax increase since 2010 and changes the tax from $4.35 to $5.35 per pack of 20 cigarettes. Research shows a 10% increase in tobacco prices would be expected to decrease tobacco consumption by 4% in high-income countries.

Increasing the cost of cigarettes is one of the most effective ways to promote smoking cessation and prevent youth initiation. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network projects the impact of the higher tax will save 15,300 New Yorkers’ lives and prevent 14,400 youth under age 18 from becoming adults who smoke. The latest data from the NYS Department of Health show that one in five high school-age youth uses tobacco products. New York State spends approximately $9.7 billion annually on preventable smoking-related health care costs.

“Recent survey data in Onondaga County indicates 16.1% of adults are smokers, higher than New York State’s 12% average,” said Meghan Hallihan, Tobacco-Free CNY’s public health educator. “By implementing a proven tobacco control intervention, we can prevent youth from trying tobacco and encourage existing smokers to quit, resulting in lower smoking rates. Smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, so policies aiming to reduce the number of people who smoke could save many lives.” 

Flavored tobacco products continue to attract and addict new smokersWhile higher cigarette costs are proven to reduce youth smoking and prevent initiation, flavored tobacco products like cigars, cigarillos and chew continue to attract and addict new tobacco users. Tobacco companies use flavors like menthol in tobacco products to make them more appealing to new users, almost all of whom are under 18. Eighty-one percent of youth who have ever tried tobacco started with a flavored product; more than half (54%) of youth ages 12-17 who smoke use menthol cigarettes.

Tax increase is the latest in strong, evidence-based tobacco control policies enacted by New York State to prevent smoking initiation, promote cessation

In 2019, New York raised the minimum legal sale age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21, established a 20% tax on vaping products, and required registration for vapor product retailers to regulate the sale of these products to restrict access, especially among young people. 

Those policies were followed in 2020 by several strategies that restrict youth access to tobacco and vaping products. Among other things, new state laws ended the sale of tobacco and vapor products in pharmacies, banned the sale of flavored vapor products, ended price discounts on tobacco products, and stopped the shipment and delivery of vapor products to private residences. 

Support available for New Yorkers who want to quit smoking and vapingHealth care providers and the New York State Smokers’ Quitline provide support to smokers who want to quit, and quitting leads to fewer smokers, the potential for better health outcomes and reduced health care costs. When health care providers treat nicotine addiction with medication and counseling, it can double or even triple their patients’ chances of success. The New York State Smokers’ Quitline is a free and confidential service for all New York State residents who wish to overcome use of commercial tobacco and/or vape products. Participants can receive individualized coaching and assistance with quit planning from highly trained tobacco treatment specialists, text and online chat support, and a free starter supply delivery of nicotine replacement therapy medications such as patches, gum and/or lozenges for those 18 and older. Residents of all ages may contact the Quitline for support and educational materials. Visit nysmokefree.com anytime or text QUITNOW to 333888 for more information, or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) seven days a week, beginning at 9 a.m. 

Aerial Spraying of Cicero Swamp Delayed

ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 28, 2023 –  Due to unfavorable weather conditions, aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas will not occur tonight, 6/28/23. Spraying will take place on the next day when weather is favorable and will be announced through local news, social media, and other communication channels.

Additional Mosquito Pools Found Positive for EEEV and WNV, Spraying of Cicero Swamp Planned

ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 25, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department has been notified that additional mosquitoes collected from traps located in the Cicero Swamp area in the town of Cicero tested positive for virus. A mosquito pool from the Route 298 trap and a pool from the Island Road trap tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) and a pool from the Route 298 trap tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).  EEEV was found last week in the Cicero Swamp area.  As temperatures remain warm, so will the threat of mosquito bites that can transmit disease. The Onondaga County Health Department urges residents to use personal protection measures when spending time outdoors.

The Onondaga County Health Department is making plans to conduct aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas. This proactive measure is an attempt to interrupt the mosquito breeding cycles. Reducing the number of mosquitoes (although it is temporary) can reduce the number of mosquitoes available to transmit the virus to humans. The spraying is scheduled to take place on Monday, August 28, 2023, after 6:30pm, weather permitting. If weather or wind conditions are unfavorable on Monday, the spraying will be conducted on the next appropriate day and will be announced through local news, social media, and other communication channels. Residents in the spray areas will be notified by phone through the 911 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. To view a map of the spraying area, visit: www.ongov.net/health/documents/SprayMapCicero.pdf.

The pesticide that will be used for aerial spraying is Kontrol 30-30. 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 Health Department website at https://ongov.net/health/env/documents/Kontrol3030Label.pdf. A written copy of the label can be provided by calling 315-435-1649.

If you live in the spray area, from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm on the day of the scheduled spraying, it is recommended that you:

  • Refrain from using any flying camera drones, model aircraft or similar aerial flying products.
  • Stay indoors and keep your windows closed for one hour after the area has been sprayed.
  • Keep your pets indoors if possible.
  • Set your window air conditioners to circulate indoor air. It is safe to use your central air conditioning.
  • Keep outdoor gardens covered and rinse vegetables before eating.
  • Be sure children’s toys, outdoor furniture, and clothes on outdoor clotheslines are brought inside. If toys or clothes are left outdoors, wash each thoroughly with soap and water before using and launder clothes before wearing them.
  • Close your car windows and car vents if you are driving during the spraying.

Onondaga County residents who would like to receive community alerts by wireless phones, text messages, and/or TTY may register for the Hyper-Reach Emergency Notification System through the Department of Emergency Communications—911 Center at www.ongov.net/911/notification.html. Landlines are already included in the 911 emergency notification system.

For more information about spraying and protecting yourself from mosquitoes, visit www.ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.1649.

Mosquitoes Found Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 16, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory today that two mosquito pools from a trap located at Taft Road in the town of Cicero tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). This first positive finding of virus in mosquitoes this year in Onondaga County serves as a reminder for all residents to remain consistent in using personal protection measures.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson explains, “EEEV is one of a number of viruses that can be spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While mosquito counts in Central New York have been low throughout this season, it is always important to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.”

Eastern Equine Encephalitis
EEE is a rare but serious disease that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. People over the age of 50 and younger than the age of 15 are at the greatest risk of developing severe disease when infected with EEEV.

Personal Protection Measures
Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period of time. Use insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and other products that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use for safety and effectiveness. Insect repellents should be applied only to intact skin or over clothing. Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin—apply to your own hands and then put it on the child. Repellent should never be used on babies younger than 2 months old.

Remove Standing Water from Your Property
It is extremely important to remove mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating any standing water that may have collected on your property:

  • 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 birdbaths 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

The Onondaga County Health Department remains in close contact with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The decision to spray is based on several factors including, but not limited to, the number of mosquitoes found in mosquito surveillance traps. All spraying decisions are made with assistance from NYSDOH and the NYSDEC.

For the weekly mosquito pool test results and for more information about personal protection measures against mosquitoes, visit ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html or contact the Onondaga County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health at 315. 435.1649.

Syracuse Teens Attend Youth Summit at SUNY Adirondack; Fight Against Menthol-Flavored Tobacco Products That Attract and Addict New Smokers

1 in 5 New York State High School-Age Youth Use Tobacco Products According to New York State Department of Health[i]

Local Reality Check youth advocates joined over one-hundred teens this month from around the state at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury, New York a four-day youth summit to educate, empower, and equip them to fight back against the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry in their home communities.  The teens, Armani Coffee, Brianna Burton, Bryson Reed, and Blake Kazaka are part of Reality Check, a NYS Department of Health-funded program. They will employ what they learned to raise awareness about Big Tobacco’s long history of aggressive marketing and promotion of menthol-flavored tobacco products to young people, people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities and other groups, and its deadly impact on them.

This was the first Reality Check Youth Summit experience for all four youth attendees. Gillette Road Middle School student Blake Kazaka described his youth summit experience as “fun, educational, and inspiring.” Tobacco-Free CNY Reality Check Coordinator, Antonio Palmer explained, “This was a great opportunity for youth to learn and ultimately grow as tobacco control advocates and leaders in their respective communities. Aside from unifying youth from across New York State, Youth Summit serves as an impetus for youth to continue taking action against the tobacco industry and their marketing tactics.”

This year’s Youth Summit culminated in a large display of youth activism at Aviation Mall in Queensbury, NY. Youth participated in palm card pitching, tabling, interviewing their fellow peers, and created a captivating mural representing youth empowerment within tobacco control. The tobacco industry’s own documents say that, “today’s teenager is tomorrow’s potential regular customer.”[ii] Reality Check youth are telling their communities across the state that they refuse to be a target for Big Tobacco or be recruited by them. Reality Check’s message is clear: Menthol is not just a flavor. It’s a way for Big Tobacco to attract and addict us. There’s nothing just about that.

During the summit, the teens were often seen wearing “It’s Not Just,” T-shirts, representing Tobacco Free NYS’s current statewide campaign to raise awareness of the harmful effects of menthol-flavored tobacco products. The “It’s Not Just” dual meanings are: 1) menthol is not JUST a flavor, but also a way for tobacco companies to attract and addict new smokers, and 2) the communities targeted by the tobacco industry experience unfair and unjust health burdens resulting from tobacco use. When it comes to making a difference in the community, Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central student Brianna Burton shared, “Not everyone is going to want to hear what you have to say, what matters most is that the information is readily available for those who want it”.

Social media posts about youth summit can be found using #RCSummit23, #NotJustMenthol and #SeenEnoughTobacco.

Reality Check of New York State is funded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Control’s, Tobacco Control Program of New York State (TCP). TCP aims to reduce illness, disability, and death related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, and to alleviate the social and economic burdens caused by tobacco use.

[i] Youth Tobacco Use Continues to Decline Across All Product Types in 2022, One in Five Youth Still Use Tobacco. StatShot Vol. 15, No1/May 2023. NYS DOH Bureau of Tobacco Control. Accessed July 2023. https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/reports/statshots/volume15/n1_youth_tobacco_use.pdf

[ii] “Tobacco Company Quotes on Marketing to Kids.” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2021. Accessed June 2023. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0114.pdf. 

Jamesville Beach Closed for Swimming Due to Visual Presence of Algal Bloom 

ONONDAGA COUNTY, JULY 14, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Jamesville Beach located in the Town of LaFayette is closed for swimming due to the visual presence of an algal bloom. Water sampling will be conducted to confirm there are no toxins before the beach is reopened. Please note that this does not affect the park’s other amenities during normal hours of operation 

Algal blooms can turn the water green and can form thick surface scums on the water. Certain types of algae can release toxins that may cause skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and vomiting if ingested. People and animals should keep out of the water where algal blooms are present in any body of water. 

The Health Department recommends taking the following precautions: 

  • Don’t swim, wade, boat, or fish near blooms or scums and don’t eat fish caught from waters with blooms 
  • Don’t drink the water 
  • Keep children and animals away from any blooms or scums 
  • Rinse with clean water if exposed 

To learn more about blue-green algae visit: 

While Jamesville Beach is closed, the public can enjoy the Oneida Shores Beach in Brewerton which is open Monday-Thursday, 12-6pm; Friday-Sunday, 11-6pm. For future updates on the closure status of Onondaga County Parks beaches please visit www.onondagacountyparks.com/about/water-quality-testing/ or call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600. 

Heat Advisory for Central New York

Onondaga County Health Department Advises Residents to Take Precautions Against Extreme Heat and Humidity

ONONDAGA COUNTY, JULY 6, 2023 – A heat advisory for Central New York has been issued from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm today, Thursday, July 6 with expected heat index values of up to 98 degrees. Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson advises residents to take precautions against the extreme heat and humidity that is expected today in Onondaga County.

It is important to take steps to stay cool during hot and humid weather. For those who are at an increased risk for heat-related illness such as the elderly, small children, overweight individuals, those with chronic health problems or who take certain medications, extreme heat conditions can be dangerous or even deadly.

To stay healthy during hot weather it is important to follow these safety tips:

  • Drink water regularly, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Avoid or limit intake of alcoholic or very sugary beverages.
  • Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location. If your home is not air-conditioned, visit public places such as senior centers, libraries, and malls. A listing is available here.
  • Keep curtains and window shades closed.
  • Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
  • Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully and pace yourself.
  • Protect face and head from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Check in on your family, friends, and neighbors often.
  • NEVER leave children, disabled individuals, or pets in cars.
  • Know the signs of heat exhaustion (excessive sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea) and heatstroke (hot, red skin, rapid pulse, confusion). If you or someone around you shows these symptoms, move to a cool or shaded location and seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.

Stay informed by monitoring local weather updates and heat index forecasts from the  National Weather Service. Older adults needing information on Senior Cooling Centers may contact the Onondaga County Office for Aging at 315.435.2362.

For more information about heat-related illness and prevention tips call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.3280 or visit ongov.net/health/heat.html or emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.asp.