Communicable Diseases

Measles in New York State

There is an outbreak of measles in New York State, follow this link to learn more from the New York State Department of Health.

Influenza

Did you know in 1918, more people died of influenza than in all of World War I?

Influenza is a virus that is spread by respiratory droplets. The droplets are created when a person coughs, sneezes or talks.

The most common symptoms are:  high fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue.

For more information on influenza, please follow this link.

Mpox

Mpox is a rare, viral infection that does not usually cause serious illness. However, it can result in hospitalization or death.  Mpox spreads through close, physical contact between people. This means anyone can get mpox. However, based on the current outbreak, certain populations are being affected by mpox more than others, including men who have sex with men (MSM).

Symptoms of monkeypox can include:

– Rashes, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals or in other areas like your hands, feet, chest, or face.  View examples of mpox rashes here

– Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all.

New Yorkers can protect themselves by taking simple steps, which are especially important for those who may be at higher risk for severe disease, including people with weakened immune systems:

– Ask your sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with mpox.

– Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other mpox-related symptoms.

– If you are exposed or experience symptoms, make sure to reach out to a health care provider.

– Follow reputable sources of health information, including NYSDOH or CDC.

Follow this link to learn more about vaccine eligibility and where to receive the vaccine.

COVID-19

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask (when necessary):
  • Wear a face mask in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
  • Face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Face coverings should—
    • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
    • be secured with ties or ear loops
    • allow for breathing without restriction

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.  For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.  You can find more information on Coronavirus from the NYSDOH and the CDC.

Foodborne Illness

Foodborne Illness, commonly referred to as Food Poisoning, is caused by consuming food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins which can be present in undercooked or improperly prepared food. Water and other beverages can be contaminated with E. coli, giardia, legionella and more. For more information on water-related disease and contaminants visit this site.

Be sure to see our Power Outage page on information for keeping your food safe when the lights go out.

If you believe you were made ill by food purchased at a grocery store, served at a restaurant or other public place, call the Oneonta District Environmental Health Office at 607-432-3911 or contact us at 518-719-3600. You may not be the only one affected, and your information can help! Someone is available to assist you 24/7.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. The Center for Disease Control and the New York State Health Department report it is the number one communicable disease reported.

Where does Chlamydia infect you?

• It is found in vaginal secretions in women and semen in men.
• Both men and women can become infected with Chlamydia in their throats and rectum.

What are the Symptoms?

In half of all cases there are no symptoms

• Symptoms in women include vaginal discharge, pain with sex, burning with urination or irregular spotting/bleeding
• Symptoms in men include penile discharge and pain with urination, and uncommonly pain in the scrotum or testis
• Chlamydia infections in the throat or rectum often have few if any symptoms

What is the Risk?

• Chlamydia does not discriminate by income or social status
• A person acquires Chlamydia by having sex with someone who is infected.
• There is a 7-14 day period after exposure before a person who has been exposed tests positive.
• A person who has Chlamydia once can easily become infected again if re-exposed.
• Infected Mothers can pass Chlamydia to their newborns during birth

Untreated Chlamydia in women can cause a pelvic infection known as (PID), which can lead to permanent infertility and greater risk of a tubal pregnancy. In men it can lead to epididymitis.

How do you protect yourself from infection?

• The only 100% way to prevent getting Chlamydia is to be abstinent and not have sex
• The second best way is to use a male or female condom with every act of sex
• The third best way is to get screened and tested with your partner and make sure both are negative before having sex

How often should people be tested for Chlamydia?

• Sexually active women aged 25 and under should get tested every year
• Women and men at increased risk because of multiple partners, and men who have sex with men should also be tested routinely.

What’s involved in the Screening Test?

• Men and women can easily be screened by a urine sample. It is most accurate if you have waited at least one hour since your last void
• A swab test of your throat or anus will detect Chlamydia infection if you are at risk (ask your provider to let you self collect your own rectal swab since research shows this is more accurate).
• Women can also be screened with a vaginal swab.

What’s the Treatment?

• Chlamydia is easily treated with one dose of the antibiotic Zithromax. (If you are allergic you will be prescribed doxycycline twice a day for 7 days.)
• Your partner(s ) will also need to be treated
• The CDC recommends any and all partners in the past 60 days be treated whether or not they test positive for Chlamydia
• You must wait to have sex for 7 days so you do not re-infect each other

New York State permits your provider to give you a script or medicine to treat your partner (s) for Chlamydia if you know your partner won’t get treated. This program is called Expedited Partner Therapy.

Three months after treatment it is recommended that you get retested to make sure your infection has resolved.

If you are positive for Chlamydia we recommend that you be tested for other STD’s and HIV.

References:

Heymann, D. (2004) Control of Communicable Disease Manual 18^th Edition, American Public Health Association.

MMWR (2015) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 64 (3) US department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.