August Testing Reveals Five More EEE Mosquito Pools
Picente: “Finding Warrants Precautionary Spraying to Protect Public Health”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. has authorized aerial spraying over an approximate 30-thousand   acres in the area where five more mosquito pools collected in August have tested positive for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus as a precautionary measure to protect public health.

Unwarranted Rabies Fears Shouldn’t Put a Damper on Parade
"NYSDOH Spokesperson: ‘…Attend Without Concerns of Increased Risks…’"
State and local Health Department officials are in agreement that last week’s finding of a rabid animal in the City of Rome in no way poses a threat to those planning to attend Saturday’s “Honor America Days” parade, Dr. Gayle Jones, Oneida County Director of Health said today. 

Bullwinkle Named to State Honor Roll 
“Vision to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning Cited In Award”
The Quality Improvement Coordinator for the Oneida County Health Department has been named to the 2010 New York State Public Health Works! Honor Roll, Dr. Gayle Jones, Director of Health announced today. 

All Oneida County Specimens to Date Test Negative for EEE
“Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found in Oswego County Mosquito Pool”
None of the mosquito specimens collected in Oneida County so far this year have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Dr. Gayle Jones, Director of Health for Oneida County confirmed after learning that the virus was found in a pool of bird-biting mosquitoes in neighboring Oswego County.

WIC ‘Chat Rooms’ Offer Nutrition/Health Education
“Statewide Initiative Supports Healthy Behaviors Through Group Experience”
The Oneida County Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
has begun offering education sessions designed to provide its clients a group setting in which innovative solutions to family health and nutrition issues can be developed, Dr. Gayle Jones, Director of Health announced today.

June Events Promote Free Cancer Screens
“Philipson’s and Price Chopper Partner with Cancer Services Program”
Uninsured and underinsured men and women living in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison Counties will have two opportunities during the month of June to enroll in the Cancer Services Program that provides free screenings for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer. 

Boonville Fair Will Host Community Health Festival
“Excellus and Health Department Partner for Event"
Oneida County – Boonville Fair goers will again be feted to free health screenings, demonstrations and health education as part of this year’s premiere summertime event, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today.

Health Department, NYU to Collaborate On Study
“NIH Grant Will Fund Window Replacement/ Lead Reduction Impact Investigation”
The Oneida County Health Department’s Lead Primary Prevention Program has been asked to participate in a study funded through a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) that will determine the impact of window replacement on lead dust levels, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today.

State Cites Oneida County Health for H1N1 Response
The Oneida County Health Department overcame numerous obstacles including an evolving epidemic and the pressure to deliver medications that were sometimes in short supply in its efforts to protect the public health during the H1N1 influenza pandemic, according to a letter from Dr. Richard F. Daines, Commissioner of Health for the State of New York.

Pilot Program Will Address More ‘At Risk’ for Lead Poisoning
“Early Detection the Goal of Free Home Inspections”
Nearly one hundred inner-city children living ‘at risk’ for lead poisoning can be detected each year as a result of an new initiative which expands free home inspections and educational services in target areas of the City of Utica, Oneida County Executive Antony J. Picente announced today.

Picente: New Director of Public Health Appointed
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., today announced that Gayle D. Jones, PhD, M.P.H., CHES will be the new Director of Public Health for Oneida County.

Countdown Begins on Remodeling, Repairing and Paint Rules
“New EPA Regs Aimed at Decreasing Lead Poisoning”
In less than a month, all contractors who perform renovations, painting and remodeling that might disturb lead-based paint in houses, child care facilities and schools built before 1978 will be required to meet stricter guidelines under the new regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oneida County Health Department officials said today.

Partnership Initiative Reduces Lead, Saves Energy
“Window Replacement Classes Precede New EPA Regs”
A public-private ‘green partnership’ between the county’s Lead Primary Prevention Pilot Program and Gro-West, Inc., will again be offering a series of instructional classes on window replacement prior to new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations mandating lead safe work practices which go into effect on April 22, 2010.

County Health Study Seen As Tool to Improve County Health
“University Of Wisconsin ‘Snapshot’ Supports Findings of Community Health Assessment”
A ranking of New York State’s 62 counties finds Oneida County in the middle of the pack overall for those factors influencing population health, but towards the bottom of the list in terms of overall health status; a similar conclusion to those of the recently completed Community Health Assessment, health department officials announced today.

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Shots Available in Sherrill
“County Executive Responds to City’s Request for Two Clinics” 
Residents of the City of Sherrill and surrounding areas won’t have to travel to get protection from the H1N1 influenza and seasonal flu, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today. Picente has directed the health department to hold two immunization clinics for adults 19-years of age and older in that community in the coming weeks; the first for H1N1 shots and the second for seasonal flu vaccinations.

More Than $200-Thousand Available for Cancer Screening
“Program Aids Underinsured and Uninsured Women in Three Counties”The Cancer Services Program Partnership of Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Counties still has funding available to pay for cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap/pelvic exams and in-home colorectal screening, according to the Program Coordinator, Wendy Hunt. 

Some Vaccine in Latest Recall Administered by Oneida County Health Department
“Potency of Nasal Spray Vaccine in Question –Safety Not an Issue ”
The Oneida County Health Department’s current supply of H1N1 flu vaccine will not be affected by the latest voluntary manufacturer’s recall of the product, Daniel W. Gilmore, Acting Director of the department said.

‘Unrestricted’ Swine flu Clinics at MVCC
‘H1N1 Vaccine Available to All Age Groups’
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today that two more H1N1 clinics have been scheduled and will be held at the Mohawk Valley Community College Alumni Center on the Utica campus. The clinics will offer the H1N1 vaccine to all persons 6-months of age and older, including healthy persons.

No Recalled Vaccine Shipped to Oneida County Health
Manufacturer Says Some Lots of H1N1 Lost Potency
None of the H1N1 vaccine involved in a voluntary manufacturer’s recall due to a loss of potency had been shipped to the Oneida County Health Department, County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. and health department officials confirmed today.

Demand for School Vaccine Less Than Anticipated
As the Oneida County School Mass Immunization Program enters its third week, the demand for the H1N1 vaccine has been less than anticipated, health department officials said today. Additionally, reports of flu-like illness throughout Oneida County and absenteeism rates in area schools are on the decline.

Six More H1N1Clinics Scheduled 
“Appointments Will Shorten Wait, Eliminate Long Lines”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today that the health department will conduct a series of H1N1 immunization clinics next month

H1N1 Clinics Scheduled
Vaccine available for ‘High Risk’ Children, Young and ‘High Risk’ Adults
Adults 19 to 24-years, those 25 to 64-years with underlying medical conditions and parents and caregivers of infants under 6-months can get the H1N1 influenza vaccine at a walk-in clinic scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Oneida County Health Clinic at 406 Elizabeth Street in Utica. 

H1N1 Implicated in Three More Area Deaths 
Earlier Suspected Death Brings Oneida County Total to Five
The death of an adult in October and two more adult deaths reported this week brings the total of area deaths attributed to the H1N1 influenza to five, Oneida County Health Department officials announced today.

‘Open’ Flu Clinic Slated for Veterans’ Day 
The first ‘open’ H1N1 immunization clinic will be held on Wednesday, November 11^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today. 

Increased ‘Flu Like Illness’ Prompts Change in Hospital Visit Policies
Citing an increase in reported flu, the County’s three hospitals have instituted temporary age restrictions on visitors to their facilities in order to prevent the spread of influenza.

Effective immediately, Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare, St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Rome Memorial Hospital are restricting visitors to healthy adults, 18 years and older. The policy will remain in effect until further notice according to a joint statement released today. Additionally, adults coming to the facilities for testing or treatment are asked to make arrangements for their children rather than have them accompany them.

Lead-Safe Housing Program Schedule Expanded
A series of seminars designed to assist property owners in Cornhill and West Utica apply for grant funds to address lead issues is being expanded and tailored to meet the needs of Utica’s newest homeowners, County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. and the Oneida County Health Department announced today.

Lab Confirms County's First H1N1 (Swine) Case
Test results from the New York State Wadsworth Laboratory has confirmed the H1N1 influenza (Swine flu) virus in a patient in Oneida County. These results mark the first local finding for H1N1 influenza since the strain first surfaced in Mexico more than two months ago and quickly spread to more than 40 countries.

Health Clinic Immunization Program Cited
The Oneida County Health Department's Clinic Immunization Program was recently recognized for excellence in implementing the New York State Immunization Information System, Director of Clinic Services, Patrice Bogan announced today.  An award was presented to the program staff attending a recent NYSIIS meeting in Syracuse.

Public Health Nurse Named to State Honor Roll
A Supervising Public Health Nurse with the Oneida County Health Department has been named to the New York State Public Health Works 'Honor Roll', Acting Director of Health Daniel Gilmore announced today.

Rabid Fox Invades Clayville Home and Barn
A grey fox that attacked several domesticated animals including a cat that was inside a Clayville home has tested positive for rabies, Oneida County Health Department officials announced today. This is the first confirmed case of rabies in Oneida County in 2009.

STUDENTS CAUTIONED ABOUT SKIN INFECTIONS
Parents and students should be aware of the threat of skin infections, commonly caused by Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria that can easily be spread from one person to another in a school setting, Oneida County Health Department officials said today.

FIRST FLU CLINIC SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY
The first of the Oneida County Health Department’s series of public flu clinics for 2008 will be held on Friday, October 17th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the department’s Clinic Building at 406 Elizabeth Street in Utica .

CHICKENPOX COMMON AMONG CHILDREN DESPITE VACCINE
The highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV), commonly known as chickenpox, often affects children under age 12 and sometimes even after they have been vaccinated against the disease, Oneida County Health Department officials warned today following reports of an outbreak in Herkimer County .

HEALTHY SUMMER DEMANDS POOL SAFETY
The Oneida County Health Department wants to remind area residents that drowning is a major cause of serious injury and death among children, and offers these basic safety tips for parents to keep their children safe in and around water

COUNTY'S HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM LENDS AID TO WEST UTICA IN FIRE'S AFTERMATH
The Oneida County Health Department’ Healthy Neighborhoods Program is reaching out to West Utica residents who live in proximity to the fire that destroyed part of the F.X. Matt Brewery complex.

LOOMING VACCINE SHORTAGE DEMANDS PRUDENCE WHEN DEALING WITH ANIMALS
The only two manufacturers of human rabies vaccine approved for use in the U.S. have experienced production interruptions and other problems that could result in a shortage, health officials warn.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS NEW HEADQUARTERS
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., today announced that the Oneida County Health Department has completed the move of several offices into the Adirondack Bank Building in downtown Utica .

HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL MONITOR TOY RECALL
Members of the Oneida County Health Department staff will, over the next several weeks, make unannounced visits to retailers throughout Oneida County to ensure compliance with the mandatory removal of toys being recalled due to unsafe lead content, Director of Health Nicholas A. DeRosa announced today.