Category Archives: Press Releases

Community Partners Collaborate to Promote Kids on the Move and Healthy Eating

Did you know that obesity rates of children in kindergarten through 2nd grade rise during the summer months? A couple of reasons for this include not eating healthy and being less physically active. On July 21, 2017, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) teamed up with the Syracuse City School District’s Summer Food Service Program… Read more >

Onondaga County Warns of Potential Measles Exposure

A resident of Onondaga County has been diagnosed with measles 13 days after an exposure to a measles case on a domestic flight. This individual was fully vaccinated against measles, has had mild symptoms, and is doing well. Measles is a very contagious viral illness. The illness starts with high fever, cough, red eyes, and… Read more >

Rabies Shot Clinics June – August 2017

The Onondaga County Health Department, in cooperation with local community partners, will be offering rabies shot clinics at the following locations during the months of June through August 2017: Thursday, July 6th, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Onondaga Nation Fire Department, Route 11A, Nedrow Thursday, August 3rd, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Village of Minoa… Read more >

Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Ticks and Mosquitoes

The Onondaga County Health Department is encouraging residents to protect themselves this summer from tick and mosquito bites. Indu Gupta MD, MPH, Onondaga County Commissioner of Health explained that ticks can carry a bacterium that causes Lyme disease. “A person can get infected through the bite of an infected deer tick”. Dr. Gupta explained that… Read more >

Mumps Cases Reported in Onondaga County

The Onondaga County Health Department received reports of five cases of mumps in Onondaga County over the past few days. Four of these cases are students from a local university and one is a high school student in a local school district. All cases are still under investigation, and parents and students of these two… Read more >

Fox Found Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, reports that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has confirmed that a fox found in the Town of LaFayette tested positive for rabies. This is the fourth animal that has tested positive for rabies in 2017. Dr. Gupta stresses, “Protecting yourself from rabies is… Read more >

Bat Found Positive for Rabies

The Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, reports that the New York State Health Department’s laboratory has confirmed that a bat found in the Village of Liverpool tested positive for rabies. This is the second animal that has tested positive for rabies in 2017. The Health Department reminds residents that rabid animals… Read more >

National Prescription Take-Back Day

On Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Onondaga County law enforcement agencies and their partners will be collecting unused or expired prescription drugs as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s National Prescription Take-Back Day. The goal of this event is to promote safe medication disposal and prevent these medications from being… Read more >

National Infant Immunization Week, “Immunization. Power to Protect.”

Did you know that making sure your children get their required immunizations (shots) is one of the most important ways to protect them against serious diseases? Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential that children be protected by getting all the immunizations that are recommended. National Infant Immunization Week… Read more >

Make the Right Choice and Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

If you’re aged 50 or older and haven’t been screened for colorectal cancer, now is the time! Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. but 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 75 years old are not getting tested for colorectal cancer as recommended. Screening can find polyps early so they… Read more >