LIVING WELL IN ESSEX COUNTY | | | | |
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- Our Role in Overnight Camps
- Growing up with Children's Services
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Join us for the 2nd Annual Recovery Day
at Hunter Way!
A Day to Support Those Recovering from Addiction.
On Saturday, October 4, 2025, join us at Hunter Way Farm in Moriah for Recovery Day.
This day is for everyone, whether you are an individual in recovery, a family member, a friend, or a supporter. It's a chance to come together, share experiences, in a supportive, welcoming space.
We've planned a variety of activities for all ages, including face painting, lawn games, and a photo booth. You can also get to know local law enforcement and check out a police car.
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Dear Community Members,
I hope you're having a wonderful start to September! As we dive into a new month, I wanted to share some important public health updates and resources with you.
Community Opioid Overdose Prevention (COOP) Program:
The Essex County Health Department (ECHD) is a registered Community Opioid Overdose Prevention (COOP) Program. Our goal is to train community members to recognize and respond to an overdose and increase access to naloxone (Narcan) to prevent fatalities.
Through our COOP program, community members can anonymously request a Narcan kit, receive training on its administration, and report Narcan usage. Each kit includes information for local contacts to connect people with recovery support, 24-hour crisis access, and referral services. In August, 38 Narcan kits were distributed. Get your kit here.
August 31st was Overdose Awareness Day. As of today, there have been 16 non-fatal and 2 fatal overdoses in Essex County in 2025.
Essex County Employee Health Initiative:
As the season changes, supporting employee wellness is a focus. To help, we've updated the paper version of our walking maps to a new electronic version, making it accessible to many Essex County employees. We've developed a special page on our website with interactive walking maps around Elizabethtown, all starting from the Government Center! Walking is a fantastic way to lift your spirits, get some Vitamin D, and keep your body strong. We have options for short or longer walks, so there's something for everyone. Check out the page and find a new route to explore!
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Sincerely,
Linda Beers
Director of Public Health
phone: 518-873-3500
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Community Health Survey: The Focus Phase Begins
The survey results identified affordable housing, access to healthcare, and livable wages as key concerns. We have compiled data on these issues and are now presenting it to our community partners and decision-makers.
Data Insights & Key Priorities
Our goal is to use this information to create a comprehensive understanding of these issues, providing a data-driven foundation for collaborative action. Click each image to enlgarge.
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Every Step Counts. Every Band
Rep Matters.
This September, #GetFitEssexCounty is all about two simple moves: walking and resistance bands. Together, they’re a great way to build strength, boost your mood, and take care of your heart.
The Plan: Mon/Wed/Fri: Band workout
Tues/Thurs/Sat: 20-minute walk
No band? No problem—we’ll mail you a FREE set with instructions and a carrying case (while supplies last). Just email your name and address to our email.
Everyone can join in—whether you’re already active or just getting started. Let’s keep Essex County moving this September!
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National Child Passenger Safety Week
September 21 - 27, 2025
In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers 1 to 4 years old in passenger cars.
For infants and toddlers in light trucks, the corresponding reductions are 58% and 59%, respectively.
Follow us on Facebook for all updates for the week!
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Get your car seat installed for FREE by one of our certified car seat technicians at one of these locations!
📅 Monday 9/22 - Ticonderoga Methodist Church during WIC clinic from 10am - 2pm
📅 Tuesday 9/23 - ECHD in Elizabethtown from 10a - 1p for Tech Check Tuesday
📅 Thursday 9/25 - Keeseville Methodist Church during WIC Clinic from 10am - 2pm.
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Summer Camp Season Represents a Busy Time for Health Department Staff. | | |
Out of ten total program staff in public health, camp incident surveillance & response, outreach & education, and/or outbreak management & control activities required the involvement of six different staff members over the course of the summer*.
*Staffing levels for camp response expanded up to six and contracted down to one depending on need.
26 Summer Camps in Essex County
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May
- Met with NYS District Office of Environmental Health for pre-season review of roles and expectations. The District Office is responsible for inspecting & permitting camps.
- Created and disseminated informational packets for Camp administrators and health office staff.
- Began visits to overnight camps to make connections, reinforce health & safety messaging and ensure adequate resources available to prevent the spread of illness.
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June
- Provided training presentation to all town recreation staff working at day camps.
- Completed in-person visits to overnight camps, where requested.
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July - August
- Responded to six different communicable disease outbreaks at five of the 13 overnight camps. Three of the outbreaks were longer duration, due to the nature of the illnesses and congregate settings.
| | Overnight Camp Incidents Summary | | |
June Rabies Investigations
- Exposure source - Bat = 1
- Human exposure = 1
- RPEP - Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis - 0
- Bats available for testing = 1
Scenario: A single bat was the source of a potential rabies exposure for one person.
That same bat was available for testing.
The test results came back as negative for rabies, meaning the bat wasn't a threat.
Because the bat was confirmed to be rabies-free, the person who was exposed did not need to get the rabies shots (RPEP).
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July Rabies Investigations
- Exposure source - Bat = 3
- Human exposure = 10
- RPEP - Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis - 4
- Bats available for testing = 1
Scenario: There were 3 separate incidents where a bat was the potential source of a rabies exposure.
These 3 incidents led to a total of 10 people being exposed. This means that in some of the cases, more than one person was exposed by a single bat.
Out of all 3 incidents, only 1 of the bats was caught and available for testing.
Because two of the bats couldn't be tested and the risk was unknown, four out of ten people exposed received rabies shots as a precaution. The other six were not considered to be at risk.
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August Rabies Investigations
- Exposure source - Bat = 10
- Human exposure = 20
- RPEP - Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis - 15
- Bats available for testing = 3
Scenario: 10 different times, a person was exposed to a bat.
These 10 incidents led to 20 people being exposed in total.
Of all the bats involved, only 3 were caught and tested for rabies.
Because so few bats could be tested, 15 people had to get rabies shots (RPEP) just to be safe.
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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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It's Open Season on Ticks | | |
It's the perfect time to get out and enjoy the woods, whether you're tracking game or just soaking in the scenery. But while you're busy admiring the fiery reds and oranges, a different kind of "peeper" is on the prowl: ticks.
Some of the most common species, like the blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick), are active well into the fall. They love the same environments we do: wooded areas, tall grass, and especially those inviting piles of fallen leaves. These leaf beds are the perfect hideouts, keeping them safe, moist, and ready to hitch a ride on an unsuspecting host.
For hunters, who often venture off-trail into dense brush, the risk is even higher. But no matter your outdoor activity, it's crucial to stay vigilant. Here's a quick guide to keeping yourself tick-free this season.
How to Not Bring a Tick Home from Your Trip:
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WIC hosted its first children's cooking class on September 2nd at DaCy Meadow Farms! Using the Charlie Cart & Creative Kitchen Garden, the kids learned to sauté a delicious dish of string beans, zucchini, and tomatoes, served with an herb yogurt. | | | |
Great news, Essex County! Thanks to a recent grant, WIC has a six-month supply of prenatal vitamins available. We received 567 bottles and are making them available to anyone in the county. As we get out and about with our outreach, we'll have these vitamins with us. Just stop by and say hello, and you can pick up a bottle to help support your health and your baby's development.
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Wonder if you qualify for WIC?
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Growing up with Children's Services | | |
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs Programs Expanding!
This August, we were thrilled to see two new special class programs approved to serve preschool students with disabilities.
The Schroon Lake school district was approved for a special classroom serving up to 8 special needs children.
Meanwhile, Boquet Valley was approved for an integrated classroom, supporting 8 children with special needs alongside 10 community children from their Head Start Early Bridges or Universal Pre-K programs.
With these additions, we now have three schools in Essex County offering special programs for our 3-5 year olds, with the potential to serve up to 30 students locally.
What this Means for Parents and Children?
These programs provide tailored support for children and youth with special healthcare needs. They offer individualized assistance and access to specialized staff, such as therapists, which can help with a child's overall development.
For families, these programs provide a structured system for involvement in their child's healthcare. Parents have the opportunity to participate in care planning and can access community resources. This support system can help ease the burden and stress that often comes with managing a child's complex health needs.
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We're excited to announce a new initiative from the Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs program: a lending library created just for you! This resource makes it easier than ever for parents to access books and materials on a wide range of topics related to special healthcare needs.
How It Works:
You can sign up on our website to get your own login and start browsing our collection. Once you've found what you're looking for, you can have the book mailed directly to your home or schedule a time to come pick it up.
Coming Soon:
We are working to expand our offerings to include sensory boxes and other items tailored to specific needs. These resources will be available for you to borrow, helping to provide new tools and support for your family.
This project aims to connect you with the information and resources you need to support your child's development.
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Stay Healthy, Whatever the Season | | The Essex County Office of Emergency Services has a new mobile app, Essex Emergency Services, NY, to help residents and visitors stay safe. The free app provides alerts and updates directly from the Office of Emergency Services and includes features to help you be prepared for any emergency, whether natural or manmade. You can find the app by searching for "Essex County Emergency NY OES" in your app store. | | |
Emergency Preparedness Month: Are You Ready?
September is National Preparedness Month. Essex County, like many areas, can face various emergencies, from ice storms to flooding. Now is the time to ensure you are prepared.
Here are some actions you can take:
✔ Build or restock your emergency kit: Gather essential supplies such as food, water, first-aid items, and a flashlight.
✔ Create a communication plan: Determine how your household will stay in touch and where to meet during an emergency.
✔ Sign up for emergency notifications: Receive important alerts directly to your phone.
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Are your kids up-to-date on their school immunizations? With a new school year in full swing, it’s the perfect time to check.
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
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Healthy People in Healthy Communities | | | | |
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