Now that we have a confirmed positive case of Coronavirus aka COVID-19 here in Chenango County, we want to reassure you that the Chenango County Health Department is actively working to monitor the situation. We know that COVID-19 is circulating in the country and in our local community. We know that the disease has probably been here for some time now. This is expected. As testing is ramping up, more cases will be identified as positive. This is also expected.

At the Chenango County Health Department, we have plans set in place to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and we will quarantine the appropriate people in order to protect the public. We are conducting daily disease surveillance and actively working with those persons who are quarantined. We want to reassure you that this plan is well thought out and is established Public Health Practice. We expect the cases of Coronavirus to increase before they decrease. We are prepared for the increase.

We at the Health Department WANT to identify the positive cases so we can quickly work to monitor them and their contacts to slow the spread of the disease. We will not be revealing names and locations of individuals that test positive in order to protect their medical confidentiality. Please treat everyone you come across with respect and patience. TRUST that we are doing our jobs and monitoring this situation closely. We are confident that our community will get through this difficult time.

For more information about COVID-19:

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancers that affect both men and women. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most common in people ages 50 and older.

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that’s why it’s so important to get screened.

People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you smoke, are African American, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.

Everyone can take these healthy steps to help prevent colorectal cancer:

Each February National Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrated in an effort to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, adults, and caregivers. Developing good brushing and flossing habits at an early age is very important. Dental cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases in children and teens. Cavities are caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel by acids produced by bacteria located in a film that collects on teeth. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain, infection, and problems eating, speaking, and learning.

Small changes to daily drinking habits can make a positive difference to an individual’s health. The Chenango County Health Department health campaign encourages you to RETHINK YOUR DRINK CHENANGO: DRINK WATER. Drinking water is important for overall health and well-being. Drinking water is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks such as soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks or sports drinks. It helps you stay hydrated so you can learn and focus. Drinking more water prevents weight gain, dental cavities, and decreases risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

In 2020 The Chenango County Health Department is asking individuals, businesses and schools to PLEDGE to drink water in place of beverages that contain a lot of sugar. One of our goals is to get employees to drink more water during their workday and for businesses to offer more water at work functions. In schools our goal is to get middle and high school students to drink more water during their school day instead of sugar sweetened beverages and to pledge a simple rule to drink water-only in the classroom during school hours.

The CHENANGO COUNTY DENTAL TASKFORCE has been working to bring attention to promoting good oral hygiene habits in our elementary schools. Thanks to the amazing support of community partners and local businesses across our county, we were able to assemble and distribute dental hygiene kits to every elementary school child in Chenango County twice a year in 2017, 2018, and 2019. As a result, we supplied approximately 4,000 students at 11 schools across Chenango County with their own toothbrush, toothpaste and floss twice a year. We will continue this project in 2020, continue to pilot a program for brushing in the classroom, and offer presentations to the elementary schools about the benefits of drinking water.

Most cavities in children can be prevented.

Here are some tips to help keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy:

NY Connects is a locally based network that provides one stop access to FREE, unbiased, objective, comprehensive information and assistance for people of all ages needing services and supports. Long term services and supports include medical and non-medical services a person needs to improve or maintain health and independence such as home care, transportation and meals. They may be provided in a nursing home, the individual’s home or other community-based settings. Our goal is to help you live as independently as you wish to while meeting your medical, social and functional needs that arise from aging or disability. We can help individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals. Please call NY Connects of Chenango County at (607) 337-1659 and arm yourself with information to make best informed decision on the best choices for yourself and your loved ones.

More than 4,000 U.S. women die from cervical cancer every year. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. The cause of most cervical cancers is attributed to the human papillomavirus (HPV). 93% of these cancers could be prevented with the use of screening by Pap test and use of the HPV vaccine.

A recent study with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed evidence that the HPV vaccine is also reducing cervical pre-cancers. The reduction in cervical pre-cancers occurred in women who had been vaccinated, and also those who were unvaccinated, offering consideration for herd immunity in the community.

The HPV vaccine can prevent cancer with the CDC recommending all preteens have HPV vaccination when they are 11 or 12 years old for protection before being exposed to HPV. Cervical cancer screening is also recommended for women ages 21-65.

HPV affects both females and males and increases risks for cancers of cervix, mouth, throat, vagina and anal areas. Use of the HPV vaccine and cancer screening saves lives against cancers that were once difficult to treat and overcome.

For more information, call Chenango County Public Health at (607)-337-1660.

It’s Not Too Late!

It’s that time of year again — flu season. As family and friends are gathering for the holidays, flu activity is increasing. Get a flu vaccine now if you have not gotten vaccinated yet this season. There are many reasons to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination can reduce your risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Even if you are vaccinated and still get sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of your illness. Flu vaccination also can help protect women during and after pregnancy and protect the baby born to a vaccinated mom for several months after birth. Flu vaccine also has been shown to save children’s lives, prevent serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevent flu-related hospitalization among working age adults and older adults. Getting vaccinated isn’t just about keeping you healthy; it’s also about helping to protect others around you who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults, and pregnant women. It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season! While seasonal flu activity varies, flu usually peaks between December and February, though activity can last as late as May. The 2018-19 Flu season lasted a record 21 weeks! As long as flu activity is ongoing, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against this potentially serious disease. Talk to your healthcare provider, visit a local retail pharmacy, or call Chenango County Health Department (607-337-1660) to schedule an appointment for your flu vaccine today!

The theme this year for National Diabetes Month is “Take Diabetes to Heart: Linking Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.” It is meant to help raise awareness that having diabetes means you are more likely to develop heart disease. Over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your heart. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes. Small changes to your daily eating or drinking habits can make a positive difference to your health and decrease these risks.

Heart Disease is the number one cause of premature death in Chenango County, ranking #1 in NY State. 40% of adults living in Chenango County are obese. Chenango County ranks #4 for its rate of hospitalization with diabetes as the primary diagnosis. 35% of our residents suffer from high blood pressure. These numbers tell us that we have a lot of work to do to achieve better health.

Here are ways to improve your heart health and manage diabetes:

• Manage your numbers for A1C, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by following a healthy eating plan and a physical activity routine.
• Learn how to manage stress. Fun activities such as gardening, walking, yoga or playing music are a few examples of things that can decrease stress.
• Manage your medications and use them as prescribed by your doctor.
• STOP smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products. You can start by calling the Quit line at 1-800-QUITNOW for advice and support.

The Chenango County Health Department 2019 health campaign encourages you to RETHINK YOUR DRINK CHENANGO: DRINK WATER. For people with diabetes, heart problems or those trying to lose weight, drinking water is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. Soda, energy drinks and sports drinks contain more sugar than people often realize. Popular soda brands contain approximately 15-18 teaspoons of sugar in one 20 ounce bottle. Some sports drinks, iced teas and juice drinks that people often view as healthier alternatives contain 8-12 teaspoons of sugar in one 20 ounce bottle. It is very important to read labels when choosing these drinks. Increasing consumption of water is a free and easy drink alternative.

Remember that diabetes is a condition that can be managed. With proper treatments, everyone can learn how to manage their diabetes and live long healthy lives. Taking action is the first step, even if it is a small step. By living a healthier lifestyle with exercise and proper diet, you can live a normal life and do everything you want to do.

For more information visit the following websites:

www.niddk.nih.gov
www.diabetes.org
www.cdc.gov/diabetes

This October, Chenango County Public Health is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. If you are a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.

If you are a woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every 2 years. You may also choose to get them more often.

Although breast cancer mostly occurs among older women, in rare cases breast cancer does affect women under the age of 45. About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age.

Breast cancer in young women is—

• More likely to be hereditary than breast cancer in older women.
• More likely to be found at a later stage, and is often more aggressive and difficult to treat.
• Often coupled with unique issues, including concerns about body image, fertility, finances, and feelings of isolation. Some warning signs of breast cancer are—
• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/index.htm

Rabies is a deadly virus that is carried in the saliva of infected mammals. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system ultimately causing disease in the brain and then death. In Chenango County there have been mammals such as; feral cats, fox, and bats that have tested positive for the rabies virus. Chenango County Public Health would like to give everyone a few simple tips to help keep families and pets safe from this deadly virus:

• 1. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and may even seem friendly, or they can be aggressive and attack someone without being provoked. Never pet or interact with animals you do not know whether out in nature or in residential areas (don’t forget cute fluffy kittens or puppies on the street may carry the rabies virus!)
• 2. Vaccinate your pets for rabies! Pet dogs, cats, & ferrets should be up-to date on rabies vaccinations
• 3. If your pet has an interaction with any animal suspected of having rabies DO NOT handle your pet. If you must attend to your pet after an interaction with an unknown animal wear gloves, long sleeves and use extreme caution. You can be exposed to rabies from lingering saliva on a pet’s fur. The pet should be isolated and the saliva allowed to dry, this will kill the virus.
• 4. If you or a loved one is bitten by an animal (wild or domestic), wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water & seek medical care. Be sure to report the bite to public health officials.
• 5. Wake up to find a BAT in your room? Bats have very fine teeth and we may not be able to visualize any bites or scratches on our bodies. In this case there is a possibility of exposure so you want to CAPTURE THE BAT to have it tested for rabies. The best thing to do is to call animal control or contact Chenango County Environmental Health at 607-337-1673. If help is unavailable the best way to capture a bat is by putting on leather gloves and clothing to cover your skin, allow the bat to land, approach it slowly, and place a box or coffee can over it, slide cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe. Contact your health department or animal control authority to make arrangements for rabies testing.

If you see a bat in your home and you are sure no human or pet exposure has occurred, confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those to the outside. The bat will probably leave soon. If not, it can be caught, as described, and released outdoors away from people and pets.

Taking steps to protect yourself, loved ones, and pets from rabies is vital. Once a mammal shows symptoms of rabies it is too late, there is no cure and the mammal will die. So prevention is key!

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the Chenango County Department of Health would like to take this opportunity to introduce the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) Vaccines for Adults (VFA) Program, and the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS).

The VFA program, which officially launched in July of 2015, is a publically funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to eligible adults. To qualify for the VFA program a person must be 19 years of age or older and either be uninsured (have no health insurance) or underinsured. To clarify, the term ‘underinsured’ means that a person’s health insurance either:

• does not cover any type of vaccine and therefore is considered underinsured.
• does not cover the specific vaccine needed and is considered underinsured for that vaccine only.
• caps the amount of vaccine coverage at a certain dollar amount or a certain number of visits. This person is eligible for VFA vaccine only after reaching the coverage cap.

People who are fully insured do not qualify for the VFA program even if their health insurance plan does not reimburse for the full cost of the vaccine, requires a co-pay or deductible, or does not contract with the healthcare provider or clinic (out of network). Insured patients should get their immunizations at their doctor’s office or at a retail pharmacy.

The VFA program also provides vaccines at no cost for students who are enrolled or entering a post-secondary institution in New York State who are uninsured or underinsured; while fully insured students may receive only the MMR vaccine from the VFA program.

If you or a family member are an adult in need of an immunization and believe you may qualify for the VFA program, call the Chenango County Department of Health at (607) 337-1660, to discuss your needs. Although a number of different facilities participate in the VFA program across New York State, Chenango County Department of Health is the only facility participating in Chenango County at this time. Vaccines offered by the VFA program include: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, HPV, MMR, Meningococcal ACWY, Meningococcal B, Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23), Tdap, Td, and Zoster (Shingrix).

NYSIIS, the New York State Immunization Information System, is a free, web-based statewide immunization registry. NYSIIS collects and stores the immunization records that are entered from healthcare providers across NY State. All health care providers are required, by law, to enter all vaccines administered to children up to age 19. Immunizations administered to adults aged 19 and older may be included in NYSIIS – with the patient’s verbal or written consent. NYSIIS only includes a record of vaccines the patient has received and contains no other personal medical information. It offers patients a complete, accurate, secure, real-time immunization record that is easily accessible by any of the patient’s health care providers. The information in NYSIIS is handled in the same confidential as all other health care information and can only be accessed by authorized users for healthcare or public health purposes.

Ask your provider to enter your immunization information into NYSIIS!

For more information about either VFA or NYSIIS please contact the Chenango County Department of Health at (607) 337-1660 or visit our website at: https://www.co.chenango.ny.us/public-health/

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can all cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis c are liver infections caused by three different viruses. Although each can cause similar symptoms, they are spread in different ways and can affect the liver differently. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term infections but in some people, the virus remains in the body, and causes chronic (lifelong) infection. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A vaccine is a 2 dose series administered over a 6 month period to those aged 1 year and older. Hepatitis B vaccine is a 3 dose series for children and adults. All children should get their 1st dose within 24 hours of birth and should have completed the series by 6-18 months of age. Infants born to women who test positive for hepatitis B virus are at extremely high risk for virus transmission and chronic infection. Therefore beginning the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth is 70-95% effective in preventing perinatal hepatitis B infection.

Adults who have not received or completed the hepatitis B series can do so at any time. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Contact your healthcare provider or public health for more information about these vaccines.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the predominant virus seen in Chenango County. The rate of HCV has remained steady in the County in the past 2 years. In 2017 there were 67 newly diagnosed cases reported. In 2018 there were 69 and to date in 2019, there have been 28 reported cases thus far.

HCV is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Most people become infected with HCV by sharing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to inject drugs. Before widespread screening of the blood supply in 1992, HCV was also spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. HCV can be spread through poor infection control techniques in healthcare settings. HCV can also be spread when getting tattoos and body piercings in unlicensed facilities, informal settings, or with non-sterile instruments. 6% of infants born to infected mothers get HCV. HCV is rarely spread by sexual transmission, but it is possible.

• Avoid sharing or reusing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to prepare and inject drugs, steroids, hormones, or other substances.
• Do not use personal items that may have come into contact with an infected person’s blood, even in amounts too small to see, such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, or glucose monitors.
• Do not get tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed facility or in an informal setting.

Many people with HCV do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, grey- colored stool, and yellowing of skin and eyes.

The only way to know if you have HCV is to get tested. Doctors use a blood test, called a Hepatitis C Antibody Test, which looks for antibodies to the virus. A positive or reactive Hepatitis C Antibody Test means that a person has been infected with the HCV at some point in time. However, a positive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has HCV. An additional test called an RNA test is needed to determine if a person is currently infected with HCV.

Testing for HCV is recommended for certain groups, including people who:

• Were born from 1945-1965
• Received donated blood or organs before 1992
• Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
• Have certain medical conditions, such as chronic liver disease and HIV or AIDS
• Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease
• Have been exposed to blood from a person who have HCV
• Are on hemodialysis
• Are born to a mother with HCV

Hepatitis C treatments have gotten much better in recent years. Current treatments usually involve just 8-12 weeks of oral therapy (pills) and cure over 90% of people with few side effects.

To find out more about Hepatitis Awareness Month and other Hepatitis C related information visit www.liverfoundation.org or go to http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

June is Safety Awareness Month and to help celebrate this cause Chenango County’s Area Agency on Aging and the Department of Health are offering a Stepping On course in Norwich. Stepping On is a workshop to help older adults prevent falls. Research has found that people who complete the workshop have a 31% reduced rate of falls.

Stepping On will help participants identify why they fall and different ways to prevent falls, including strength and balance exercises, home safety check suggestions and a medication review. Also, the class addresses how vision, hearing, and footwear affect your risk of falling. The workshop is for ages 60+, for people who have fallen, and for people who fear falling. Participants will leave with more strength, achieve better balance, and experience a feeling of confidence and independence as a result of performing various exercises and sharing personal falls experiences as a group.

The workshop is being held at Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich. The class is held once a week, for seven weeks on Tuesdays, from 10am-12pm. The session will run from June 18th through August 6th (no class on July 2nd). This class is FREE for Chenango County residents. To register for this class, please call Area Agency on Aging at (607) 337-1770.

It is important to prevent a tick bite because ticks can spread different diseases.
Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in New York. Not all ticks can
cause disease and not all bites will make you sick but it is important to learn how to prevent a bite,
how to remove a tick and what to do if you think you could have a tick-borne disease..

Steps to protect against tick bites:

1. Avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails when hiking.

2. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, externally containing DEET, picaridin,
IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions.

3. Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents or look
for clothing pre-treated with permethrin

4. Treat your household animals for ticks and talk to your veterinarian about the best tick prevention

5. Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find crawling ticks before
they bite you. Conduct a full-body check with a mirror and remove any ticks immediately.

6. Put dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks after you come indoors.

If you find an embedded tick on your body use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. To dispose of the tick place in alcohol or sealed bag/container or flush down the toilet. Do not crush with your fingers. Also, never cover the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or use heat to make the tick detach from the skin. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, and not wait for it to detach.

If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your health care provider. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick. For more information on ticks visit https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html or call the

According to a report from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), sexually transmitted diseases
(STD) are on the rise. A record breaking 2.3 million cases were reported in 2017 nationwide,
with 15-24 year olds accounting for half of all new STD infections.

Chenango County had 112 total cases in 2018:
- 100 Chlamydia
- 12 Gonorrhea

Chlamydia is the most common notifiable disease in the United States and is curable with
antibiotics. Yet most STD cases go undiagnosed and untreated which can lead to severe adverse
health effects.

Anyone who is sexually active can get an STD, but some groups are more affected.
- Young people ages 15-24
- Gay and Bisexual Men
- Pregnant Women

If left untreated STD’s can cause:
- Increased risk of contracting or spreading HIV
- Long term pelvic/abdominal pain
- Inability to get pregnant or pregnancy complications

Always Remember to:

TALK: talk openly about STD’s with your partner and healthcare providers
TEST: Get tested! It’s the only way to know if you have an STD
TREAT: If you have an STD work with your provider to get the right medicine for treatment

STD’s are PREVENTABLE!
-Use condoms - Talk to your partner and get tested
-Have fewer partners - Practice abstinence
-Get the HPV vaccine (for prevention of Human Papillomavirus ONLY)

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE: GETTING AN STD IS NOT THE END!

Many STD’s are curable and all are treatable. Getting you and your partner treated immediately
is important to avoid getting re-infected.
If you have any questions about getting tested, contraception or need education materials on
STDS, or have any questions about the HPV vaccine please call the local health department for
more information and guidance or visit the website listed below: