Press Releases

The Oneida County Health Department announced car seat safety events that will be co-hosted with the Sheriff’s Office.

The events will take place at the following locations and times:

• Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, 5476 Trenton Road, Utica on July 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Griffiss International Airport (Airport Operations Building), 706 Hangar Road, Rome on August 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Free car seats will be available to eligible parents/legal guardians who are in need of a car seat. Appointments are required. For those already in possession of a car seat, a certified technician can be available to check that it is installed properly, also by appointment only. There are no eligibility requirements for car seat checks.

A Raccoon has tested positive for rabies in Westmoreland. The raccoon was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on May 27, 2026 and positive results were reported on May 28, 2026.  No humans were exposed to the raccoon. A dog was exposed to the raccoon and received a rabies booster vaccination.

Memorial Day weekend is the kick-off to summer and cook-outs. Warmer temperatures can cause germs to flourish, and food-borne illness can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. Practicing good handling, cooking and storage can help avoid food poisoning and illness.

Wash your hands if you are preparing/cooking the food. Wash your hands before you eat. It’s a simple task, but one that is extremely important in helping keep us all healthy. Make sure the utensils, dishes and cooking surfaces are also kept clean to avoid cross contamination. Do not prepare or serve food if you don’t feel well or have sores or cuts.

The Oneida County Health Department is seeking proposals to design, implement, and operate a sensory room for children and youth with special healthcare needs and their families at the 2026 Oneida County Fair. A maximum of $77,559.00 will be awarded.

A fox has tested positive for rabies in Whitesboro. The fox was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on May 11, 2026 and positive results were reported on May 11, 2026. A dog was exposed to the fox and is quarantined. There were no human exposures.

A fox has tested positive for rabies in Camden. The fox was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on April 30, 2026 and positive results were reported on April 30, 2026. Three people were exposed to the fox and are receiving post-exposure prophylaxis.