Grey Fox (By California Department of Water Resources – California Department of Water Resources, Public Domain)

The Chautauqua County Health Department has confirmed that a grey fox that has bitten people in Bemus Point is rabid.

The Department said the fox bit multiple people near Route 430 on Friday, June 9. The Health Department is following-up with the people involved to ensure that they receive proper medical attention. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officer responded to the situation and killed the grey fox on June 9, 2023. The grey fox was sent for testing and was determined to be positive for rabies.

Chautauqua County Director of Environmental Health Jessica Wuerstle said the incident should serve as a reminder to residents that animal rabies is a serious public health concern, “According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 90% of rabies cases occur in wildlife. Pets and livestock can be protected from rabies by keeping rabies vaccines up-to-date.”

If you believe you had physical contact with the grey fox that was killed in the Bemus Point area and have not seen a medical provider please call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4783.

Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease when exposure is missed and untreated.

Visit chqgov.com/environmental-health/rabies-prevention for general rabies information.

Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster is now available in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler issued a statement saying booster doses are common for many vaccines and that updated formulations are sometimes needed to provide the best protection against new variants of a virus.

The updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC is designed to protect against original strains of the virus, which the former monovalent vaccines covered, and the Omicron variants that account for the majority of current new infections.

Schuyler said those who are eligible should get a new booster dose at least two months after completing their primary series or at least two months after receiving a booster. Pfizer’s updated booster dose is recommended for individuals 12 and older and Moderna’s updated booster dose is recommended for adults 18 and older.

The link for pharmacies offering the booster dose is available here:
https://chqgov.com/public-health/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

The Health Department is also offering bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 and older at the Health Department Office in Mayville, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are asked to call (716) 753-4491 to schedule an appointment.

Governor Kathy Hochul announces updated COVID-19 guidance for schools (August 22, 2022)

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced updated COVID-19 guidance that aligns with new CDC recommendations as children, teachers and faculty across the state prepare to head back to school in the coming weeks.

She said New York will end the required random testing of COVID-19 for students, which was common last school year. Generally, students will only need to take a test if they have symptoms or if they came in close contact with someone who tested positive. Schools may still choose to test students who are part of close contact activities, like a sports team or choir.

Another rule that’s ending is mandated quarantine for students who came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Instead, people in close contact will have to wear a mask for ten days and take a test if they develop symptoms.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for five days and can return to the classroom if their symptoms are gone. Students must wear a mask for five days after returning.
Students will each get at least one at-home testing kit at the start of the school year and the state has 14.5 million kits available.

The changes are in line with updated guidance from the CDC for K through 12 schools. Hochul said the policies are changing to reflect what we know about the virus and the virus’s current risk to communities.

For more information on the state’s updated COVID-19 guidelines for schools, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/schools-youth

He stated there is not a case of polio in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Health Department staff had sent out information to team members in county government about a case found in Rockland County, New York as a heads-up.

The case in Rockland County was the first recorded case of polio in the United States in nearly a decade.

Polio is a viral disease that can affect the nervous system and cause muscle weakness.

County Executive PJ Wendel, in his monthly interview with WRFA, did say vaccinations had eradicated a lot of diseases in the past like polio, “There are some who argue about the detriment of vaccines, but it’s been proven that vaccines have saved lives and vaccines have been effective in treating many, many illnesses. So, unfortunately, we’ll evaluate the situation, how this person contracted polio, but it’s a concern. These types of diseases are brought about by Mother Nature and she’s a pretty tough cookie. She doesn’t always let things rest.”

On the topic of the new Monkeypox virus, Wendel said that virus is not anywhere near as prevalent or easy to spread as COVID-19 but urges those with rashes or lesions they’re concerned about to contact their healthcare providers for treatment.

Federal officials announced Thursday that New York State is receiving more doses of Monkeypox vaccine.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement saying, “I am grateful to President Biden and other Administration officials for their help in securing an additional 110,000 monkeypox vaccine doses – approximately 80,000 to New York City and 30,000 to the rest of New York State – which will be delivered over the next four to six weeks and allow us to continue to respond to this troubling outbreak. This builds on the more than 60,000 monkeypox doses that New York City and New York State have received to date due to our ongoing coordination with the federal government.”

In regards to COVID-19, the Chautauqua County Health Department’s weekly update reported the county’s 7-day average positivity rate is now 15.2% with the CDC Community Level raised to moderate. Three people are currently hospitalized in Chautauqua County due to COVID.

Under the moderate community level, the CDC recommends people wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. They also recommend wearing a mask on public transportation.

While the CDC Community Transmission level is still considered low, according to the County Health Department the average positivity rate rose from 4.3% on June 22, to 6% June 29th, to a current rate of 8.9% as of July 6.

And while wastewater analysis data shows high levels of COVID in both Dunkirk and the Jamestown-Falconer area, data is not available for the last two weeks.

60% of the population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Chautauqua County with 66.6% having at least one dose and 54.5% being fully vaccinated with a booster dose.

source: wikimedia commons

The Chautauqua County Health Department is raising awareness of the potential exposure to rabies from bats.

Bats are one of the most frequently reported rabid animals that people and pets come in contact with. The Chautauqua County Environmental Health Unit recommends contacting them if an exposure occurs because medical treatment may be necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control says if you know you’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat — or if infectious material , such as saliva or brain material, from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound — wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.

If you find a bat in your house, talk to a healthcare or public health professional. The bat should be captured for possible rabies testing. Call animal control, wildlife conservation, or a public health agency for assistance. If professional assistance is not available, safely capture the bat in case testing is needed. Testing the bat may help you and your doctor decide if you need rabies vaccination.

Seeing bats outside is common and normal, especially at dusk and through the night. Avoid intentional contact with bats outside. Use screens, tents, or mosquito netting when sleeping outside.

If you are outside and have direct contact with a bat, you should talk to a healthcare or public health professional to decide if you need to be vaccinated to prevent rabies. If you’re not sure if contact occurred but find a bat on or near you (for example, if you wake up with a bat near or on you), then you may need vaccination.

To capture a bat, find a container like a box or a can large enough for the bat to fit in, and a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening. Punch small air holes in the cardboard.

Put on leather work gloves. When the bat lands, approach it slowly and place the container over it. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.

Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside. Contact the Chautauqua County Department of Health to have the bat tested for rabies.

If the bat is killed, it must be stored on ice to preserve the specimen for testing.

For more information, contact the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4481. For more information on bats and rabies, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/animals/bats/index.html#capture

The FDA, along with the CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, state, and local partners are investigating a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries purchased between March 5 and April 25, 2022.

While the potentially affected FreshKampo and HEB products are past shelf life, people who purchased FreshKampo and HEB fresh organic strawberries between the affected dates and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them.

These products were sold at the following retailers, including, but not limited to:
– Aldi
– Trader Joe’s
– Walmart

If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB between March 5 and April 25, 2022, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a hepatitis A infection after eating these fresh organic strawberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these strawberries in the last two weeks.

These case reports do not include any positive at-home testing results.

The Chautauqua County Health Department reported 10 people in the hospital due to COVID on May 18. That’s down one person from last week. However, the seven day average positivity rate is up 3% from last week to 14.7%.

According to the State’s COVID-19 monitoring, 302 people have died in Chautauqua County since the beginning of the pandemic.

The CDC Community Level is now considered moderate.

Wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 in Dunkirk, Jamestown, and Falconer show levels are low.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 66.2% of the population in Chautauqua County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 59.6% are fully vaccinated.

And the Federal Government is now offering an additional 8 free COVID-19 tests per U.S. household.

You can order the free at-home COVID tests at: https://www.covid.gov/tests.

The tests are being shipped by the U.S. Postal Service.

The Chautauqua County Health Department reported 11 people in the hospital due to COVID on May 11th. That’s up 3 people from last week. The seven day average positivity rate is up 2% from last week to 11.7%.

According to the New York State COVID-19 Dashboard, there were 351 confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the week of May 1 though 7. This is a nearly 75% increase in the amount of cases from the previous week.

These cases do not include any positive at-home testing results.

According to the State’s COVID-19 monitoring, 302 people have died in Chautauqua County since the beginning of the pandemic.

The CDC Community Level is still considerered low.

Wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 in Dunkirk show levels are low and increasing. Wasterwater monitoring for Jamestown and Falconer show levels are moderate and increasing.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 66.2% of the population in Chautauqua County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 59.5% are fully vaccinated.

NY Attorney General Letitia James

State Attorney General Letitia James announced Monday new legislation to establish a state program that would provide financial resources to abortion providers in New York.

The legislation would create the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program within the New York State Department of Health (DOH). It would provide funding to abortion providers and non-profit organizations to grow the capacity of providers and meet present and future care needs.

The program would provide funding for uncompensated abortion care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for care or their insurance status. The program also seeks to address the abortion care needs of individuals from outside of New York by awarding grant funds to non-profit organizations that provide support to individuals that travel to New York. To protect the privacy of the individuals seeking care, the legislation prohibits the state from tracking the personal information of patients through the providers that receive funds from the program.

James said at the press conference that every person in the nation should have the freedom to control their body and own healthcare, “This fundamental right is implicit in our Constitution and that right should not be abridged and, or, denied. And we are taking action today to ensure that it remains true here in New York, both for New Yorkers and for people living in states that are poised to ban abortions.”

James said New York has already experienced an uptick in the number of people coming to the state for abortions, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting for 2019 that 9% or 7,000 of abortion procedures performed in the the state were for people from out of state, “And New York, as you know, is one of the states that has the highest number of individuals coming to it to get abortions. According to the Guttmacher Institute, that number could grow to more than 32,000 individuals or perhaps even more. And that’s just for people traveling to New York from Ohio and Pennsylvania where they have restrictive laws and in some cases lack of access to abortion providers.”

There are currently 22 states that have laws or constitutional amendments that already exist that would allow them to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned or weakened. There are an additional four states that are likely to ban abortion in the absence of federal protections. James said these 26 states are home to more than 40 million women of reproductive age.