Category Archives: Press Releases

Bat Found Positive for Rabies

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported that a bat found at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse has tested positive for rabies. The Health Department is asking residents who may have come into direct contact with a bat on the grounds… Read more >

Advisory to Women of Child Bearing Age and Pregnant Women Who Travel to Countries with Ongoing Transmission of Zika Virus

New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued guidance regarding the risk of Zika virus infection to pregnant women who travel to countries and/or territories that currently have on going transmission of Zika virus. These areas include: Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French… Read more >

Even Healthy People Need Flu Vaccines. It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine!

Do you think that you do not need a flu vaccine because you are healthy?  Unfortunately, even healthy people, especially the very young and very old, and pregnant women, can get serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia and dehydration, and could even end up in the hospital. The CDC reports that about 20,000… Read more >

Onondaga County Health Department to Hold Public Flu Vaccine Clinic

Get your annual flu vaccine!  The Onondaga County Health Department will be holding a public flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, November 18th from 2:00PM-6:00PM.  The clinic will be held at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center located at 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, in Room 30 in the basement.  Residents who would like more… Read more >

Onondaga County Announces Second Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis this Season

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, was notified on October 29th by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that an adult in the town of Clay was diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) infection. Dr. Gupta explained, “This patient was hospitalized in early September 2015, discharged home in stable condition, and… Read more >

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 >