Category Archives: Press Releases

First Case of Monkeypox in Onondaga County

The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) announced today that an Onondaga County resident has tested positive for the monkeypox virus. OCHD received the laboratory report of the positive finding on the evening of August 9, 2022. The patient has been in isolation and does not pose a risk to the public. OCHD Bureau of Disease… Read more >

Onondaga County Health Department to Hold Monkeypox Vaccine Clinic

The Onondaga County Health Department will be holding a monkeypox vaccination clinic for those in our community who are at high risk of contracting the disease. The Health Department has received a total of 600 doses of the monkeypox vaccine from the New York State Department of Health which includes 300 first and 300 second… Read more >

Mosquitoes Found Positive for West Nile Virus

The Onondaga County Health Department was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory today that a mosquito pool from a trap located at Taft Road in the town of Cicero has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This first positive finding of WNV in mosquitoes this year in Onondaga County… Read more >

Jamesville Beach Closed for Swimming Due to Visual Presence of Algal Bloom

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Jamesville Beach located in the Town of LaFayette is closed for swimming due to the visual presence of an algal bloom. Water sampling will be conducted to confirm there are no toxins before the beach is reopened. Please note that this does not affect the park’s other… Read more >

Rise in Opioid Overdoses in Onondaga County

Over the last few years, Onondaga County, like much of New York State, has seen a dramatic increase in opioid overdose fatalities, including 156 and 186 deaths in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Factors such as the proliferation of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, as well as their combination with methamphetamines, and cocaine, have driven this… Read more >

Oneida Shores Beach Closed for Swimming

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 bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department will be monitoring the lake water daily until… Read more >

Jamesville Beach Closed for Swimming Due to Visual Presence of Algal Bloom

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes SYRACUSE, NY: This week is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, a good reminder to protect yourself and your family from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes now and throughout the fall season. Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta explains, “We have seen a high number of mosquitoes due to… Read more >

Reality Check Program Host FREE Smoke-Free Movie Event on June 17

On Friday, June 17, the Reality Check program of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties is hosting a FREE smoke-free movie event showing “Angry Birds” at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse, NY. This event is in conjunction with Reality Check’s smoke-free media initiative to de-normalize and de-glamorize tobacco use and imagery on screen. Reality Check is… Read more >

World No Tobacco Day Calls Attention to the Environmental Risks of Tobacco

Protecting the Environment is Just One More Reason To Quit SYRACUSE, NY: The Tobacco-Free CNY program partnered with the Reality Check youth program to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31st. This year, the World No Tobacco Day global campaign highlights tobacco’s threat to the environment and aims to educate the public about the… Read more >