LIVING WELL IN ESSEX COUNTY | | | | |
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- Know the Ticks, Know the Risk
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August is Immunization Awareness Month! It's an annual event to promote the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. We have launched a new public service announcement (PSA) featuring local pediatrician Michael Celotti, DO. Parents and caregivers have questions about vaccines. In our interconnected communities, where the well-being of families is a shared value, the Essex County Health Department is committed to providing clear and reliable health information. We have launched a new public service announcement (PSA) featuring local pediatrician Michael Celotti, DO.
Dr. Celotti is available to answer questions and support families in making informed decisions.
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Back to School, Air Quality, and Fairs, oh my! 😎🏊♀️
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Dear Community Members,
As summer winds down and many are thinking about back to school, we want to provide a list of vaccines needed for students to attend school in NYS. Follow the link here
BUT - Summer isn't over yet!
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Come See Us at the Fair!
We’re so excited to see you at the Essex County Fair from August 13-17! This year, we’ll have a fun and educational exhibit called the "Polyp Palace"—a giant, inflatable colon you can actually walk through. It's a great way to learn about colorectal health and the importance of screening, especially since screening is now recommended for most people starting at age 45. Our team will be there to answer your questions and share resources. We can't wait to talk with you! We want to thank Warren County Public Health for allowing us to use their colon exhibit to share education about colorectal cancer to the people of Essex County.
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Air Quality and Sun Safety
This summer, many of us noticed that hazy air from wildfires far away. It’s a good reminder that air quality can affect our health, especially for people with conditions like asthma or COPD, as well as for kids and pregnant people. It’s always a good idea to check air quality alerts and limit time outside when the air isn’t great. Check the air quality where you live here.
And let’s not forget about the sun! The sun's rays are still strong in August. Don't put that sunscreen away just yet. When you’re outside, be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that’s water-resistant and offers broad-spectrum protection.
Sincerely,
Linda Beers
Director of Public Health
phone: 518-873-3500
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Community Baby Shower: A Wonderful Success
We're thrilled to share the fantastic success of our very first Community Baby Shower! ECHD and many community partners came together on Monday, August 4, at the Elizabethtown Social Center to support expecting parents and families with infants under one. The positive energy and turnout were incredible, and it was a joy to see so many new parents from all over the county.
With the theme "Growing Together," nearly 50 parents attended and connected with over a dozen of our wonderful community partners. These organizations shared valuable resources on everything from safe infant practices and car seat safety to lactation support and vaccine information from our ECHD nurses.
It was truly inspiring to see our community come together to ensure families have a healthy and supported start to their parenting journey. The success of this first event shows how much our community cares for its newest members, and we look forward to future gatherings. Read the full press release here.
| | Meet our Certified Lactation Counselors! | | L to R - Elizabeth Terry, Hillary Drake & Emily French. | | |
In observance of World Breastfeeding Month this August, the Essex County Health Department is proud to introduce our team of certified lactation counselors: Liz, Hillary, and Emily. They are dedicated to helping families in our community with all their breastfeeding questions and challenges.
Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) are trained health professionals who provide essential support to breastfeeding parents. Working with the Essex County Health Department, our counselors offer a variety of services, including one-on-one counseling, education on proper latch and positioning, and assistance with common breastfeeding difficulties. They are committed to helping you and your baby have a positive breastfeeding journey and can connect you with other resources as part of your overall healthcare team. For all things breastfeeding, follow the link.
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#getfitessexcounty!💪🏻
Inspired by all the athletes from Ironman?
Us too!
A full marathon in one day can feel a little out of reach for many.
So, how about we do it a different way? Introducing our Marathon in a Month challenge!
The rules are simple: walk or run just one mile every day in August (Sundays off for some much-deserved rest!). By the end of the month, you’ll have a marathon under your belt, one mile at a time. It’s a low-pressure way to boost your mood and get those bones strong.
Who's in? Let's get moving!
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ORV (oral rabies vaccine). Map of areas for bait drops. |
What is the Health Department's Role in the Bait Drops?
While ECHD shares our local rabies data with USDA and makes recommendations for locations with the most need for rabies prevention, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ultimately decides the geographical areas to receive the ONRAB bait. (ONRAB is a specific brand of oral rabies vaccine.)
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From approximately August 6-12, 867,600 ONRAB baits will be distributed across the Champlain Valley in northeastern New York, northern Vermont and northern New Hampshire by fixed wing aircraft, including
37,000 baits in Clinton and Essex Counties, NY (Figure left).
| | The ONRAB rabies vaccines was created for raccoons and skunks... | Why the Focus on Raccoons and Skunks for Rabies? | |
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) uses ONRAB baits in New York to vaccinate raccoons and skunks against rabies.
This is because raccoons are a primary source of the rabies variant (a specific strain of the rabies virus) in the eastern U.S., and skunks are also involved in spreading the disease.
While a previously used vaccine, RABORAL V-RG, was effective in raccoons, it was not as effective in skunks due to their different feeding behaviors. The ONRAB vaccine was specifically developed to be effective in both skunk and raccoon populations, ensuring better vaccination coverage and control of rabies spread.
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ECHD has submitted 41 specimens so far this year for rabies testing.
Four have come back positive.
1 🦝 raccoon - Westport
1 🐿woodchuck - Ticonderoga
1 🦨 skunk - Elizabethtown
1🦨 skunk - Willsboro
Register for our next FREE rabies clinic on Tuesday, August 19th in Lake Placid here
Remember, the chances of coming in contact with an animal that has rabies is never zero. Brush up on your rabies facts here.
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If you or your pet have been bitten, scratched or have had contact with the saliva of any animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, call this Department for assistance in planning treatment.
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Report an Animal Bite
Report all animal bites /exposures to Essex County Health Department
Mon-Fri 8 AM – 4 PM 518-873-3500
After Business Hours, Weekends, Holidays call 518-873-3500, you will be connected to our on call staff.
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Where are the Tickborne Disease Cases in Essex County?
click images to enlarge
| | Local data indicates an increase in reported cases of Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis in Essex County. | | Who's most at risk for Lyme Disease in Essex County? | | |
Who's most at risk for Anaplasmosis in
Essex County?
| | Who's most at risk for Babesiosis in Essex County? | | Many older adults engage in outdoor activities, increasing their exposure to tick habitats. Additionally, age-related factors like reduced flexibility and impaired sight can make it harder to find and remove ticks, leading to a higher risk of bites. Finally, older adults naturally experience some weakening of their immune systems, and chronic conditions may further compromise the immune response, making older adults more susceptible to illness. | | |
Check Daily for Ticks
- Perform thorough tick checks on yourself and your pets after every outdoor activity, especially on mild days.
- Wear protective clothing like long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when venturing into areas where ticks are common.
By being aware and taking these precautions, you can enjoy the outdoors safely and minimize the risk of tick bites.
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WIC attended Streetfest in Ticonderoga for outreach and to kick off World Breastfeeding Week the weekend of July 26th.
WIC and Pick featured, owner of Green Goddess in Lake Placid, whipping up some Gazpacho with The Charlie Cart. She shared her tips and tricks with families so they can take their veggies home to make their own!
| | | Ready to join the fun? To RSVP for any of our WIC 'N' PICK dates, simply call the WIC office at 518-873-3500. We can't wait to see you there! | | | |
Wonder if you qualify for WIC?
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Stay Healthy, Whatever the Season | | |
List of required school vaccines needed here
Many parents and caregivers have questions about vaccines - go to our page on the most frequently asked questions here
| |  | Looking for breastfeeding tips? We have a huge library of videos on our website that can help. Whether you're curious about supplementing with formula, the importance of a good latch, or just want to know how to prepare for breastfeeding, our videos have the answers you need to feel supported. Check it out here | | | | | |
Healthy People in Healthy Communities | | | | |
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