Press Releases

Health Department urges Tdap and Flu vaccination
As the temperature drops and we bundle up, conversation often turns to the common cold. The Oneida County Health Department reminds readers that Influenza and Pertussis are common ailments that can spread anything but cheer this holiday season.

On November 13, 2014, a raccoon was sighted in a pasture in the Town of Vernon with several cows. The raccoon was being aggressive towards the cows. The deceased raccoon was sent for rabies testing. The Oneida County Health Department was notified the test came back positive on November 18, 2014. The three exposed cows were euthanized, and the remaining ones will be under watch for symptoms over the next 6 months. None of the cows had been vaccinated for rabies.

Across the nation there is heightened awareness and increased preparedness activities related to Ebola. Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) is also ramping up its preparedness activities with local responders, such as health care providers, Emergency Medical Services, and Urgent Cares. The OCHD is maintaining regular communications with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding guidelines and protocols related to Ebola. The NYSDOH is providing guidance and information on infection control protocols and procedures to ensure the health and safety of all health care workers, patients, visitors and the general public.

As a part of National Preparedness Month, Oneida County Health Department is kicking off the first phase of the “Walk the World Prepared” campaign, announced Oneida County Executive, Anthony J. Picente, Jr. The campaign includes short web-based videos in multiple languages that make preparedness manageable through the use of everyday skills and small, low-cost steps. “Severe weather and other emergencies can strike suddenly and have disastrous consequence for all members of our community”, Picente stated. He added, “The more prepared we are as individuals and families, the stronger and more resilient we are as community when disaster strikes.”

The best defense against a rare virus that has caused severe respiratory illness in hundreds of children across about a dozen states is proper hand-washing, reminded health officials from the Oneida County Health Department.
There are two laboratory confirmed cases of Enterovirus D68 in Oneida County, said Oneida County Director of Health, Phyllis D. Ellis. This virus has been identified in surrounding counties so this came as no surprise to us.

The best defense against a rare virus that has caused severe respiratory illness in hundreds of children across about a dozen states is proper hand-washing, reminded health officials from the Oneida County Health Department and the county’s hospitals, Rome Memorial Hospital, St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.