Press Releases

No Local Cases Detected; Low Risk of Spreading in U.S.
While there have been some cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus reported in the U.S., there have been none detected in Oneida County, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of it spreading throughout the country is low.
"With a steady dose of reports on the Coronavirus bombarding the public on a daily basis, there is bound to be an element of misinformation," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. "There is no threat of the Corona virus in Oneida County at this time and the risk of it spreading throughout the U.S. is very low. Our Health Department is staying on top of the situation and is committed to providing our residents with the most accurate up-to-date information on the situation."

The Oneida County Health Department and the Oneida County Sheriff's Office will be hosting a car seat safety event next week.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on January 29, 2020 at the Deerfield Fire Station in Utica. Car seats will be available to income-qualified candidates by appointment only. For those already in possession of a car seat, a certified technician will be available to check that it is installed properly.

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
January is Cervical Health Awareness month, and Oneida County is stressing the importance of regular vaccination and screening in the prevention of cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2019 more than 13,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer would be newly diagnosed, with more than 4,200 women dying of cervical cancer in the United States alone.  Cervical cancer can be prevented.  How?  Through the HPV vaccine and regular cervical screenings.

Flu season is here and prevalent in both Oneida County and across New York State.  The best protection against the flu is through vaccination.  It is not too late to get your flu shot.  It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop and to provide protection against the flu.

The Oneida County Overdose Response Team (ORT) is reminding people who use drugs, friends and family members that a holiday period can lead to an increased risk of overdose.
“For most people, the holidays bring joy and excitement. However, for individuals actively using drugs or in recovery, the potential for family conflict, loneliness, grief, financial strain and other factors can produce a large amount of stress that may increase chances of an overdose,” said Oneida County Public Health Director Phyllis Ellis.

The Oneida County Health Department reported today that one horse located in the town of Lee, tested positive for the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE). The horse died on September 30, 2019.
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. EEE is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes will then occasionally feed on horses, humans and other mammals. EEE is not spread person-to-person, from people to animals or from animals (other than mosquitoes) to people.