Pay BillNovember 6, 2024
Health Advisory: Preliminary reports show increasing syphilis-related infant deaths in New York State outside of New York City
Rising syphilis diagnoses in pregnant persons, both nationally and in New York State, have resulted in sustained increases in congenital syphilis births as well as associated stillbirths and infant deaths.
Download and read the NYSDOH Advisory
October 10, 2024
COVID-19 Treatment continues to reduce severe illness
The Erie County Department of Health has issued a health advisory asking medical providers to encourage patients to stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, which can reduce the risk of severe illness. Several treatment options are available.
Download and distribute the full advisory from the ECDOH
October 1, 2024
Health Advisory: Reporting testing of suspected human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
NYSDOH is reminding healthcare providers of the procedures for testing and reporting of the mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in light of increased risk of transmission to humans from infected mosquitoes.
Download and read the NYSDOH Advisory
June 14, 2024
Tuberculosis Awareness
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is experiencing an increase in Tuberculosis (TB) cases. Rapid identification of cases is essential in controlling the spread of TB. With the increase in TB cases, early detection, treatment, reporting and the management of cases and contacts are essential in preventing serious medical problems and the further spread of the disease. Providers must report suspected and confirmed cases of TB immediately to the county where the patient resides. Download and read the full advisory from the ECDOH about who should be considered for testing, types of screening tests, and how to report cases to the ECDOH.
April 16, 2024
NYS implements Hepatitis C screening requirement
Effective May 3, 2024, New York State will require that all persons 18 years of age and older and persons under the age of 18 with a risk, be offered a screening test for hepatitis C. These new requirements align New York State with the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HCV screening recommendations.
Nationally, new cases of hepatitis C are on the rise, particularly among adults of reproductive age. The number of new hepatitis C infections has doubled since 2014.
Download and read the letter from the New York State Department of Health about this new requirement; the letter includes helpful links to a number of related resources.
Posted 4/16/2024
February 2, 2024
NYSDOH Issues Guidance on NYS Law Regarding Syphilis Testing
Effective May 3, 2024, NYS law will require a syphilis test during the third trimester of pregnancy in addition to syphilis testing at the time of first examination. Prior to this change, syphilis testing was required at the time of first examination and again at delivery (as per 10 NYCRR section 69-2.2).
Please click here for complete reference to this new testing requirement and for interim guidance on syphilis testing during pregnancy in light of this change in the law.
As noted in the release, though the law expansion effectively requires at least three syphilis screens during pregnancy, additional screening may be warranted.
For questions or inquiries on syphilis screening and/or reporting requirements of same during pregnancy, please contact the NYSDOH Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology (OSHE) at stdc@health.ny.gov.
Posted 2/27/2024