Category Archives: Press Releases

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 25-31, 2015

Nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Onondaga County, approximately 7% of children tested for lead in 2014 had high blood lead levels.  The good news is that childhood… Read more >

Don’t Forget Your Flu Vaccine

This fall, remember to get your flu vaccine.   The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu shot.  People should be vaccinated every year because immunity to flu viruses declines over time and flu strains often change from year to year. Dr. Indu Gupta, Onondaga… Read more >

Syracuse Healthy Start’s 5th Annual Syracuse Stroll: A Community Event to Celebrate Every Baby’s First Birthday

On Saturday, September 12th, Syracuse Healthy Start will host the 5th Annual Syracuse Stroll. This event is held in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month and the important role that both parents and the community have in promoting healthy births. The Syracuse Stroll is a community festival and fitness walk that will be held at… Read more >

Update on Onondaga County Resident with EEE

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that the town of Salina resident who was recently diagnosed with the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) infection has died.  Dr. Gupta explained, “It is with great sadness that I report to the community that an elderly Onondaga County resident has died as a result… Read more >

Onondaga County Announces First Human Case of EEE This Season

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, was notified late yesterday by the New York State Department of Health,   that a Town of Salina adult resident has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) infection.   Dr. Gupta explained, “This is the first known human case of EEE in Onondaga County this year.  The… Read more >

Cooling Towers in Onondaga County Must Register with the New York State Department of Health

The Onondaga County Health Department is reporting that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has adopted emergency regulations to prevent the spread of disease caused by Legionella bacteria.  Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health explained, “These regulations are designed to protect the public’s health by requiring proper operation and maintenance of cooling… Read more >

Update: Water Chestnut Treatment in the Seneca River Extended to Monday, August 24th

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that due to weather conditions this week the herbicide application to reduce the number of water chestnuts in the Seneca River will be extended into next week. The application will continue, weather permitting, on Monday, August 24th and may extend through the end of the week. We will… Read more >

More Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Deputy Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that both Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) continue to be present in Onondaga County. Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus was found in three mosquito pools. The mosquito pools were located on Island Road, Taft Road, and Route 298, all in the town… Read more >

Annual Elimination of Water Chestnuts in the Seneca River

The Onondaga County Health Department will begin to reduce the number of water chestnuts in the Seneca River in the Baldwinsville and Three Rivers areas beginning on August 17, 2015 through August 21, 2015. Water chestnuts are plants that are rooted in the river bottom.  Water chestnuts spread quickly and seeds can remain dormant for… Read more >

More Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus and West Nile virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be present in Onondaga County. Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) was found in two mosquito pools, both in the town of Cicero; one collected on July 30, 2015 at the Island Road… Read more >