Living Well in Essex County

LIVING WELL IN ESSEX COUNTY

🌷May 2026| Issue

Inside this issue:

May Health Topics

Rabies Watch

Don't Let the Ticks Bite

Children’s Services Update

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Happy Nurses Week to all the incredible nurses at the Health Department and throughout Essex County!

The work they do in our community is truly special. Their ability to provide compassionate care in a rural setting doesn't go unnoticed. They're more than just healthcare providers; they're the menders and connectors.

Thank you for your resourcefulness, your dedication, and for always showing up for our neighbors when they need it most. We appreciate everything you do, this week and every week.

Director's Message

Spring into Health & Wellness! 🌷🌷

Dear Community Members,

May brings a refreshing change of pace as the North Country finally sheds the last of winter. It is a season of transition, and in public health, it is the perfect time to shift our focus toward the wellness opportunities that come with warmer weather and longer days.

Tick Awareness: Ticks are on the move. As we venture into our beautiful parks and trails, please be vigilant about protecting yourselves and your families from tick-borne illnesses. Remember to:

Use insect repellent containing DEET.
Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks.
Conduct thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.
Promptly remove any attached ticks and monitor for symptoms.

National Nurses Month: May is National Nurses Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our nurses. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated nurses within our department and throughout our community. Their unwavering commitment to providing compassionate care and promoting health is truly commendable.

Mental Health & The May Muscle Hustle

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a good excuse to check in on ourselves and each other. Physical activity is one of the best ways to clear your head and boost your mood. That is why I am excited about the May Muscle Hustle, the latest challenge from getfitessexcounty. Whether you are looking for a bit of motivation or just want to move more, it is a great way to get involved.

Community Care

Our team is staying busy keeping the Community Care Kiosks stocked and working on adding a kiosk in another location. Stay tuned. What is the Community Care Kiosk? Click the link to find out more!

Wishing you a safe and healthy spring!

Sincerely,

Linda Beers

Director of Public Health

phone: 518-873-3500

This Month in Health

Explore Essex County's FREE online platform, CredibleMind, for articles, assessments, and resources to support your well-being.

👉🏼Get started with their insightful "What's Your Mental Health Profile" assessment to understand your emotional, psychological, and social health across 20+ areas. Take the assessment here

💪🏼#getfitessexcounty! This month is all about building strength and consistency together.

We are keeping it simple by alternating between two classic bodyweight moves each day:

The Schedule: We will focus on pushups one day and squats the next.

The Reps: Start with 5 reps per day during the first week.

The Build: Each new week, we will increase the daily count by 5 reps to keep that momentum going.

A note on movement:

The best workout is the one that feels right for your body. Remember to modify these exercises as needed.

Vape Prevention Campaign Continues

The transition from snow to water is officially here. To match the change in season, a new billboard is up in Port Henry with a straightforward message: Hit the Lake, Not the Vape.

This follows the Hit Jumps, Not Vapes campaign from January.

This work is a team effort through the Tobacco Use Reduction Network (TURN). By working with partners like C-TURN, The Heart Network, and The Prevention Team, the focus stays on education in our schools and ensuring retailers follow the rules to keep these products away from minors.

Rabies Watch

Registered for a rabies clinic and want a 3-year certificate? Simply snap a photo of your prior vaccination certificate and email it to us. If you don't have prior proof, you will receive a 1-year certificate.

Email your certificate➡️ here.

This month we wanted to re-emphasize the importance of keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination current. It’s not only the law, it’s vital to your pet’s health — and your own.

Plus, your pet will receive some pretty cool swag!⬇️⬇️

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.

Only mammals (including people) can get rabies. In our area, rabies most often occurs in wild animals, including raccoons, fox, coyotes, skunk, porcupines, groundhogs and bats.

Livestock, including cattle, horses, goat, sheep and swine, can also get rabies. Small rodents like mice, squirrels, chipmunks, rats and rabbits rarely get rabies. Reptiles and amphibians don’t get rabies.

Rabies bait drops are scheduled to occur in May, in addition to August, during the week of May 6 through May 10. The coverage area includes the northeastern portion of the county, which is where the majority of the recent rabies cases have been identified.

If you or your pet have been bitten, scratched or have had contact with the saliva of any animal, wash the area immediately with soap and water, call this Department for assistance in planning treatment.

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.

Let No Tick Stick

Check out our PSA about tick bite prevention

⬅️

Understanding Tick Habitat and Reducing Risk:

Deer ticks are commonly found in shady, moist environments at ground level, such as tall grass, brush, and shrubs (typically below 2 feet). They can also be present in residential yards, particularly near wooded areas and stone walls.

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.

If You Find a Tick Attached

Use our tick assessment tool - The online, mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as tick attachment time and symptoms. Based on the user’s responses, the tool then provides information about recommended actions and resources.

Tick BOT Tool Here

Growing Up with Children's Services

At Children's Services, our focus is on empowering parents and families with the tools they need to nurture their children and foster their development. We offer a range of programs designed to support you every step of the way!

Visit our Children's Services page

Essex County Children’s Services Attends Local Autism Walk

The Essex County Children’s Services Program attended the Autism Alliance of Northeastern NY Autism Walk on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.

This year’s carnival-themed event supported the Autism Alliance’s mission to provide resources, connections, and advocacy for individuals and families in the autism community. Funds raised during the walk support local initiatives, including monthly meetups, scholarships, and grants across Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties.

Event Activities

Throughout the day, Essex County Children’s Services staff engaged with attendees to:

Provide Information: Discuss available programs and services offered within Children’s Services and Essex County.
Engage Families: Host a carnival-themed "fire-walking" balance beam activity for participants of all ages.
Strengthen Connections: Build and maintain relationships with families and community partners.

Healthy People in Healthy Communities

Essex County Health Department

Report an Animal Bite

Let No Tick Stick

Check Daily for Ticks

At Children's Services, our focus is on empowering parents and families with the tools they need to nurture their children and foster their development. We offer a range of programs designed to support you every step of the way!﻿

At Children's Services, our focus is on empowering parents and families with the tools they need to nurture their children and foster their development. We offer a range of programs designed to support you every step of the way!