Public Health FAQs

All pets should receive their first rabies shot no later than 4 months of age.  Their second shot (or booster) is due no later than 12 months after the first.  After that, boosters are given every three years.  If boosters are not given when they are due, your animal is considered unvaccinated.

My cats are indoor cats only, do they still need a rabies shot?  Yes!  ALL indoor pets must be vaccinated against rabies.  Rabid bats can easily find their way inside your home and expose both you and your pets.

Livestock like cattle, horses and sheep should also be vaccinated. If vaccinating all of your livestock is too expensive, you should vaccinate any animals that are especially valuable, animals that often come into contact with people and/or any animals that are housed in structures that might be occupied by raccoons or bats. If you are a hunter, be aware of your surroundings. Never capture, skin or eat an animal that is acting abnormal. Also, bring disposable gloves with you for handling and skinning animals or when you are handling game meat. Remember, all meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating. If you trap, consider getting rabies pre-exposure vaccination.

What do I do if I, my family, or my pets are exposed? Exposure means that you have been scratched or bitten by a wild or sick animal, or that you have gotten saliva from an animal that may have rabies into an open wound or mucous membrane (i.e. eyes, nose, mouth). If you believe that you or someone you know has been exposed:

• Wash the exposed wound thoroughly with soap and running water.
• Seek medical attention immediately. DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR!! By the time symptoms are apparent, it is too late, and the virus will likely result in death.
• If possible, try to capture the animal without further exposure. Be careful not to damage the animal’s head. This way, authorities can observe the animal and/or test it for rabies.
• Disinfect any surfaces or items that have been contaminated with tissues or fluids from the animal with a fresh solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
• A dead rabies-suspect animal can be kept on ice and double bagged in plastic until it can be tested.

If your pet has been exposed, but has received proper vaccinations, a booster shot is needed within five days of the exposure. This exposure must also be reported to the Lewis County Health Department. Any animals that have been exposed but have not received proper vaccinations will need to be confined strictly for 6 months or destroyed immediately. This is why we urge you to get your pets vaccinated!

 For More Information:  

The New York State Department of Health: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/

• Wash the exposed wound thoroughly with soap and running water.
• Seek medical attention immediately. DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR! By the time symptoms are apparent, it is too late, and the virus will likely result in death.
• If possible, try to capture the animal without further exposure. Be careful not to damage the animal’s head. This way, authorities can observe the animal and/or test it for rabies.
• Disinfect any surfaces or items that have been contaminated with tissues or fluids from the animal with a fresh solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
• A dead rabies-suspect animal can be kept on ice and double bagged in plastic until it can be tested.

The date of our next rabies clinic is located on our calendar and our Facebook page.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by the bite of an infected deer tick. The adult tick is the size of a sesame seed. The nymphal (young) tick is the size of a poppy seed.

When in wooded, grassy and brushy areas, avoid contact with low-lying vegetation. Wear light-colored long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pants into socks or boots, and shirt into pants. Repellents containing DEET (on skin) or permethrin (on clothing) may provide some protection. Read and follow label directions carefully. NEVER let children apply repellents themselves. Check yourself, children and pets for ticks often while outside. Do a complete body check again at home.

Using tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouth parts, as close to the skin as possible. Pull steadily and firmly until the tick lets go. Apply rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to the bite site. Never twist or squeeze the tick. Don’t use petroleum jelly, kerosene or matches to remove ticks.

A common early sign is an expanding rash resembling a solid patch or “bulls-eye” (60-80% of cases). Flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and headache, are other early symptoms. See your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms.

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it is to prevent the disease’s long-term effects.

 Use air conditioning to cool down or go to an air-conditioned building (supermarkets, libraries, etc.). If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, open windows and shades on the shady side and close them on the sunny side to try to cool it down. Drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. Take regular breaks from physical activity, and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (between 11 am and 4pm). Never leave children, pets or those with special needs in a parked car, even briefly. Temperatures in the car can become dangerous within a few minutes. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to keep cool. Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (e.g. straw or mesh when in the sun, even if it is cloudy).

How can I protect my child from the sun’s harmful UV rays?

1. Keep infants out of the sun for the first 6 months of their life.
2. Limit the amount of time your child spends in the sun.
3. Schedule outside activities for early morning or late afternoon. Avoid the hours of 10 am to 4 pm when the sun’s UV rays are strongest and most harmful.
4. Keep your children in the shade. Use a tree for natural shade or make your own shade with an umbrella or a tent. Carriages and strollers with hoods and canopies provide for babies and toddlers.
5. Dress your children to minimize exposure to the sun’s rays. Choose: clothes that are made from tightly woven fabrics, such as unbleached cotton; wide-brimmed hats that shade your child’s face, scalp, neck, and ears (not baseball caps); sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and sunglasses (rated to black close to 100% of the sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays) to protect your child’s eye and skin around eyes.
6. Cover as much skin as possible with long-sleeved shirts and long shorts.

Sunscreen Tips: Choose a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outside. Rub a generous amount of sunscreen on all uncovered skin (except eyes) and even on areas that will be covered by light clothing, which does not filter out all UV rays. Use a sunscreen stick or lip balm on sensitive areas like the lips, nose, ears, hands, and feet. Choose a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen if your child is playing in the water. Sunscreen should be re-applied every two hours. Towel-dry your child before re-applying sunscreen, if your child is sweaty or has been swimming.

The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for the signs of an infestation. Bed bug bites usually do not pose a serious medical threat.

The best way to treat a bite is to avoid scratching the area and apply antiseptic creams or lotions and take an antihistamine. Bed bug infestations are commonly treated by insecticide spraying. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact your landlord or professional pest control company that is experienced with treating bed bugs.

• The lifestyle change program (or Diabetes Prevention Program) is a proven way to prevent diabetes in people who have prediabetes, or are at risk for diabetes, by making small lifestyle changes. 
• The program runs for one year. 
• This is a free program to those who are eligible.
• Please check our calendar for upcoming class schedules or call 315-376-5453.

To participate patients will need to meet ALL 4 of these requirements:

1. Be 18 years or older.

2. Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher if Asian American).

3. Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

4. Not be pregnant.

Patients will also need to meet 1 of these requirements:

1. Had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results):

• Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7–6.4%.
• Fasting plasma glucose: 100–125 mg/dL.
• Two-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL.

2. Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

3. Received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the Prediabetes Risk Test.

• The Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) is available to people with diabetes and/or their caregivers. 
• Classes are once per week for six weeks. 
• Each session is 2 1/2 hours long.

You can use the self-referral form or call 315-376-5453 and ask to speak to a Public Health Specialist. 

• We have an all-hazard plan in place and conduct exercises periodically to ensure we are prepared, as a community, to respond quickly and effectively to threats endangering the health of the citizens of Lewis County. 
• We educate and communicate with our community members to ensure they are informed of strategies that they can implement to help reduce their risks in an emergency. 

Early Intervention

• Provides screenings and evaluations for children birth to age three to help identify developmental delays, Intervention can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and special instruction.

Child Find

• Ensures that all children birth to age three that reside in Lewis County have a primary care provider who does developmental screenings at all well child visits.

Preschool Special Ed (3-5 years)

• Focuses on the educational needs of children ages 3-5 and is administered through the local school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education. Services are provided at no cost.

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

• Provides assistance with accessing health and non-health services through information and referrals. 

• We have immunizations for children (childhood vaccines & school vaccines), adults, and travelers. Immunizations are by appointment only. Please call 315-376-5453 to schedule. 

• Moderna – 
  1. Primary series – 2 doses given 4-8 weeks apart
  2. 1^st booster – at least 5 months from final dose of initial series
  3. 2^nd booster – at least 4 months after 1^st booster only for adults 50 years and older and people who are severely immunocompromised
• Pfizer –
  1. Primary Series – 2 doses given 3-8 weeks apart
  2. 1^st booster – at least 5 months from final dose of initial series
  3. 2^nd booster – at least 4 months after 1^st booster only for adults 50 years and older and people who are severely immunocompromised
• J&J Janssen – 
  1. Primary Series – 1 dose
  2. 1^st booster – at least 2 months after initial series (CDC recommends either Pfizer/Moderna boosters
  3. 2^nd booster – J&J is NOT approved for 2^nd boosters. People ages 18-49 years who got a J&J for both their primary dose and booster can choose to get a 2^nd booster of either Pfizer or Moderna at least 4 months after their 1^st booster. 
• Severely Immunocompromised as far as a second Covid-19 booster is considered people who are receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood, received an organ transplant, received a stem cell transplant in the past 2 years, advanced or untreated HIV infection, or are taking immunosuppressant medication.

Lead tests are offered to children of all ages for free, regardless of insurance status.