Category Archives: Press Releases

Oneida Shores Beach Closed Due to High Bacterial Counts

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach 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 bacterial levels exceed acceptable standards. The Health Department will… 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 Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29, 2016.  Water chestnuts are plants that are rooted in the river bottom. Water chestnuts spread quickly and their seeds can remain dormant… Read more >

Extreme Heat Precautions & Safety Tips for Seniors

Onondaga County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health, and Peter J. Headd, Deputy Commissioner, Executive Director, Office for Aging are advising that individuals take precautions when the temperatures and humidity are high. The National Weather Service forecast shows temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees today, Tuesday, July 12, through… Read more >

Fight the Bite in CNY: A Forum on Mosquitoes and Ticks Held

The Onondaga County Health Department and several community partners hosted a “Fight the Bite in CNY”  forum earlier today.  The forum featured both local and statewide experts who addressed what Onondaga County Health Officials are doing to prevent the spread of mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses.  Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, was pleased… Read more >

Onondaga County Rabies Update

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that a raccoon found in the town of LaFayette has tested positive for rabies. The test was confirmed by the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratories. So far in 2016 three animals have tested positive for rabies in Onondaga County. One bat and… Read more >

Rabies Shot Clinics, May – July 2016

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 May through July 2016: Thursday, May 5th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Clay Highway Garage, 4483 Route 31, Clay Monday, May 9th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Village of Manlius… 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 your time! Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the U.S. but 1 in 3 adults aged 50-75 years are not getting tested for colorectal cancer as recommended. Screening can find polyps early so… Read more >

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 >