Press Releases

Giant Hogweed is a public health hazard that ranks 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

Oneida County Health Department Shares Information on CDC Health Advisory
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory on May 25, 2018 regarding a multistate outbreak of coagulopathy from exposure to synthetic cannabinoid products containing a vitamin K-dependent antagonist agent known as brodifacoum.

Environmental Services Division Selected as NYS Public Health Works! Honoree
The Oneida County Health Department Environmental Services Division has been selected as a 2018 New York State Public Health Works! Honor Roll awardee.
Staff were selected for the award because of the dedication to the field of public health and for overcoming a variety of challenges this past year including a municipal water system emergency, and multiple outbreak investigations requiring extended hours for clinical and environmental staff.

In recognition of National Screen-Free Week, the Oneida County Health Department has collaborated with the City of Rome Parks and Recreation Department, City of Sherrill, Sherrill-Kenwood Library, and the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Initiative to bring StoryWalk® to the Rome and Sherrill communities. Screen-Free Week highlights the opportunity for the entire family to unplug from digital entertainment and spend more time reading, playing, daydreaming, creating and exploring. This year, Screen-Free Week is observed April 30 to May 6.

The Oneida County Health Department conducted a trial Point of Dispensing Exercise on 04/26/2018 to test the Health Department’s effectiveness in responding to a disease outbreak. The two hour real-time drill took place at Mohawk Valley Community College’s Jorgensen Athletic Center and was administered by the Oneida County Health Department in cooperation with the Oneida County Executive’s Office, Oneida County Office of Emergency Management and MVCC.

A dog is being quarantined in Oneida County due to contact with a skunk that tested positive for rabies.
The dog and skunk came into contact on Monday, April 2nd. The skunk later tested positive for rabies. No human exposures occurred as a result.