Press Releases

Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) has received its first notification of a confirmed case of Zika virus in the County; the person acquired the disease while travelling to South America and at this time, there is no threat to public health in Oneida County. It is important to keep in mind that the infection occurred, not locally, but in a country where the Zika virus is prevalent. In fact, to date, no local transmissions (person who has not traveled recently gets bitten by an infected mosquito where they live) have been reported in the U.S.

In the Town of Whitestown, a person was bitten by a cat that was sick and needed help. Individuals brought the cat to a vet; the vet determined the cat was too sick to treat. The cat was euthanized and sent for rabies testing. The cat was rabid.

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the United States.

In the Town of Ava, a dog that was tied up outside was in a fight with a skunk. The owner was able to kill the skunk while remaining a safe distance away to protect the dog from further harm. The skunk tested positive for rabies. The dog will be quarantined for six months due to the incident.

When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other health problems.

With the Thanksgiving Season already upon us and The Holiday Season fast approaching, the Oneida County Health Department would like to take this opportunity to provide guidance in making food safety the most important ingredient in the holiday kitchen.