Category Archives: Press Releases

Onondaga County Health Department Issues Warning—Reports of Fentanyl in Synthetic Marijuana Products Sold Locally

Extreme caution urged heading into the holiday season ONONDAGA COUNTY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) issued a warning on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 that fentanyl has been reported to be present in synthetic marijuana (Spike) sold in Onondaga County. Synthetic marijuana is a chemical mixture used to mimic THC, the… Read more >

Elevated Blood Lead Level Linked to Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches

ONONDAGA COUNTY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) is aware that at least one local child has an elevated blood lead level associated with the consumption of recalled products as announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches  Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety… Read more >

Onondaga County Health Department Issues Warning About Potentially Rabid Fox

Those Who Were Bitten Must Seek Medical Attention Immediately UPDATE: Laboratory testing confirmed that the fox had rabies. SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 17, 2023 – The Onondaga County Health Department is issuing a public warning about a potentially rabid fox in the Burnet Avenue area of the city of Syracuse. Reports indicated that the fox… Read more >

Weather Favorable for Aerial Mosquito Spraying of Cicero Swamp

UPDATE: The spraying was completed by 8:00 pm on Friday, September 1, 2023. ******* 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… Read more >

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. **************** ONONDAGA COUNTY, AUGUST 30, 2023 – The forecast is showing favorable weather conditions for aerial mosquito… Read more >

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… Read more >

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.… Read more >

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… Read more >

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… Read more >