Press Releases

Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) will host its first ever Refugee Community Health Fair. The fair will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium at Westminster Moriah/Olivet Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 714 Washington St. Utica, NY. The entrance is on Broadway Street, across from Hanna Park.

Early Detection Saves Lives
It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her life. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in New York State. Each year in New York, nearly 15,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 2,700 women die from the disease. These women are our wives, mothers, sisters, and friends.

As a part of National PrepaAthon! Day the Oneida County Health Department is releasing its animated B’Ready Family “Walk the World Prepared” YouTube disaster preparedness videos in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bosnian, Russian, Karen and Burmese.

Giant Hogweed is a public health hazard that ranks up there higher than poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac in respect to its potential to harm humans. The reason for concern is that the sap from this plant can cause a severe skin reaction known as photo-sensitivity. The reaction can happen up to 48 hours after contact. After coming in contact with the sap, the skin blisters when exposed to sunlight. Contact with the eyes can lead to temporary or possibly permanent blindness

Lisa Worden, Oneida County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator was selected as a 2015 New York State Public Health Works! Honor Roll awardee. Lisa was selected for the award based on her dedication to the field of public health and her exceptional contributions to public health, preparedness, and community health assessment in Oneida county and New York State.

Drill for Distribution of Medication In the Event a Biological Attack
On September 1st, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (MVCC Jorgensen Athletic Center) the Oneida County Health Department will be conducting a trial Point of Dispensing Exercise to test the Health Department’s effectiveness in responding to a biological attack. It is a 1.5 hour real-time drill administered by Oneida County Health Department in cooperation with the Oneida County Executive’s Office, Oneida County Office of Emergency Management, and Mohawk Valley Community College. “This drill reminds us of the importance of preparing in advance for man-made or natural hazards that could occur in any community” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. He added, “These exercises help us to test and improve our effectiveness in getting life-saving medication to the public in real public health emergencies.”