Press Releases

While the number of confirmed cases of influenza in Oneida County is small compared to last year’s, there has been a spike locally during the holiday period and flu remains widespread throughout the State, health department officials said today.
“There have been 95 new cases of flu reported in just the past few days, bringing the total number of cases to date to 134 in Oneida County,” Phyllis D. Ellis, Director of Health said. She added, “On this date last year there were more than 1500 confirmed cases of the flu in Oneida County.”

With frigid weather forecast for our area, the Oneida County Health Department has issued some recommendations for avoiding health and safety problems during periods of prolonged cold temperatures.

The new provision of the New York State Health Law requiring some health care workers who have not been vaccinated against influenza to wear surgical masks in patient areas is now in effect, Phyllis D. Ellis, Director of Health for Oneida County announced today.

A rabid skunk that attacked and injured a family pet has been reported in the Town of Western, Oneida County Health Department officials said today.

Oneida County residents will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare for an emergency and plan for disasters at the Oneida County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Community Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th from 3-7:30 pm at the Ava Dorfman Senior Center in Rome, County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced today. The program is being co-sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced that the County’s Lead Primary Prevention Program will provide a free course of instruction through its Renovator Training program to as many as ten Oneida County veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, as a way of honoring their service to our country.