Press Releases

As a follow up to news on a student from a local college campus becoming ill with bacterial meningitis, Oneida County Health Department would like to share some information on meningococcal disease, how it is spread, and how it can be prevented.

The newly released county health rankings compiled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) show an improvement in health outcomes and health factors for Oneida County.

Central NY has been hit hard with the flu this year. Oneida County is continuing to see high numbers of positive flu cases. Flu cases are beginning to drop, but active cases of flu will circulate locally for many weeks ahead and transmission will continue to occur. According to the CDC, much of influenza illnesses this year are being caused by a strain of influenza A, called H3N2. The flu vaccine can protect against several strains of the flu virus. Based on preliminary effectiveness estimates, the CDC estimates that the flu vaccine is approximately 25% effective against the H3N2 strain https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6706a2.htm . This is higher than estimates previously reported in the national news. The flu vaccine is showing higher effectiveness for H1N1 and influenza B strains (67 and 42% respectively for all age groups). Based on previous years’ trends, Flu A cases typically start to decrease as Flu B increases. We are beginning to see that trend.

In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month the Oneida County Office Building will be lit blue during the month of March. The Health Department is also sponsoring a dress down day on March 23 in which county employees are encouraged to wear blue jeans and purchase a blue bracelet for $5 with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society’s work toward finding a cure for colon cancer.

The flu is widespread across the U.S. and prevalent in New York State. It is not too late to get the flu shot. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and to provide protection against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every year.

Oneida County Health Department would like to remind the community of the importance of use of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the home. The U.S. Fire Administration of FEMA recommends one smoke alarm on every level of the home, as well as inside and outside of each sleeping area. A carbon monoxide alarm should be on each level of the home as well. Smoke alarms should be tested and cleaned monthly, and batteries replaced as needed as well.