Category Archives: Press Releases

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: October 23-30, 2016

In Onondaga County, approximately 6% of the children tested in 2015 had high blood lead testing results requiring additional monitoring and follow-up. To heighten awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) along with the CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is… Read more >

FREE Mammograms Are Available

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among United States women, no matter your race or ethnicity. The three main risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman, getting older, and certain genetic changes. Most women (about 8 out of 10) who get breast cancer do not… Read more >

Location Change for September 8th Rabies Clinic

The location of the Onondaga County Health Department’s (OCHD) Rabies Shot Clinic scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the SPCA on East Molloy Road has changed. The clinic will now be held at OCHD’s location at 6230 East Molloy Road in East Syracuse from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Please keep your pets on… Read more >

West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be present in Onondaga County. A mosquito pool from a trap in the town of Salina was found to be positive for WNV; this is the same trap with positive findings for WNV last week. Dr. Gupta states… Read more >

First Report of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County and Corrected Update: No Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, was notified by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that two mosquito pools from a trap located in the Town of Salina have tested positive for West Nile Virus. NYSDOH also notified Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) of an update in their report to OCHD… Read more >

Mosquito Pool Found Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, has been notified that a mosquito pool from a trap located at Island Road in the town of Cicero has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV). Dr. Gupta explained, “EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by the bite of… Read more >

Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach Reopened for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that the, Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach located in the town of Cicero, is open again for swimming. Swimming at this beach was closed on August 10th due to high bacteria levels of E.coli in the water. Lisa Letteney, Director of Environmental Health, explained that water quality… Read more >

Oneida Shores Beach Reopened for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, is open again for swimming. Swimming at Oneida Shores was closed on August 10, 2016 due to high bacteria levels of E.coli in the water. Lisa Letteney, Director of Environmental Health, explained that water quality test results received… Read more >

Two Public Beaches Closed for Swimming Due to High Bacterial Counts

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach and the Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach, both located in the Town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Health Department monitors water at public beaches routinely and closes swimming when… Read more >

Time for Back-to-School Vaccines

Now is the time to make sure your kids’ vaccinations (shots) are up-to-date so that they are ready to return to school in September. Having all school required vaccines not only protects your child from harmful infections, it also protects your family, their classmates and the community. It is important to contact your child’s health… Read more >