Press Releases

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.

The first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Oneida County this year has been confirmed, Oneida County Health Department officials said today.
A horse in the Town of Trenton, which was suffering from neurological symptoms associated with EEE, was euthanized on September 8th and subsequent testing confirmed the virus.

OCHD seeks to improve the health of babies by supporting breastfeeding
In order to offer more support to breastfeeding mothers in Oneida County the Oneida County Health Department announces the grand opening of a new Baby Weigh Station on August 26th at 2:00 pm.