Category Archives: Press Releases

Spraying of the Cicero Swamp Scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Due to the recent finding of EEE virus in mosquitoes in the Cicero Swamp area, aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and the immediate surrounding areas will take place on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 after 5:30 pm, weather permitting. If weather or wind conditions are unfavorable on Wednesday, the spraying will be conducted on the… Read more >

Adult Smoking Rates Decline in Central New York Counties

The Tobacco-Free CNY program of the Onondaga County Health Department reports that recently released data shows that smoking rates among adults have decreased in Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties. The New York State Department of Health recently announced that the current rate of adult smoking decreased from 17.2% to 12.0% in Onondaga County, 29.0% to… 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 their race or ethnicity. Many things affect a person’s chance of getting breast cancer, these are called risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be controlled and include being a woman, getting older, having dense breasts,… Read more >

It’s Flu Season–Get Your Flu Vaccine as Soon as Possible!

Flu vaccine is widely available in Onondaga County This fall, please remember to get your flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu vaccine. Everyone should be vaccinated yearly because immunity to flu viruses declines over time and circulating flu … Read more >

Mosquito Pool Found Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Spraying of Cicero Swamp Planned

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, was notified today of a finding of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) in mosquitoes collected from a trap located on Island Road in the Cicero Swamp area in the town of Cicero. This is the same location as previous findings of West Nile virus (WNV). Dr. Gupta explains… Read more >

Health Alert: Significant Increase in Syphilis Cases in Onondaga County

As of September 28, 2021, Onondaga County has seen 95 cases of syphilis, which is more than three times the number of cases in all of 2020. This increase can impact not only individuals but also their partners and unborn children if pregnant. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta stated, “Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease… Read more >

Additional Findings of West Nile Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, was just notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory that mosquitoes from traps located on Route 298 and Island Road in the Cicero Swamp area and at Oneida Shores have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The traps located in the Town of… Read more >

Weather Favorable for Mosquito Spraying Planned for Town of Lysander

The weather forecast is favorable for the truck spraying planned in areas of the Town of Lysander after 7pm tonight, Monday, September 20. Please see the original announcement at https://healthnews.ongov.net/mosquito-spraying-planned-9-17-21/ that contains pesticide information and recommended preparations for those who live in the spray area. Please see an updated spray map at http://www.ongov.net/health/env/documents/SprayMapLysander.pdf.… Read more >

Update on Skaneateles Lake Water Sampling

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta was notified this evening that the samples taken earlier today in Skaneateles Lake show non-detectable levels of toxin in drinking water reaching customers of the system, including the City of Syracuse, the Town of Dewitt, the Village of Skaneateles, the Town of Skaneateles, the Town of Elbridge, the… Read more >

Low Levels of Algal Toxins Detected in Skaneateles Lake Water

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta announced today that the City of Syracuse has reported low levels of algal toxins found in their routine water samples of the untreated intakes in Skaneateles Lake. Results are well below health advisory limits for the general population. Skaneateles Lake is used by several municipalities as a public… Read more >