Public Health Alerts and Warnings

Health Information Line

A Health Information Line is frequently used when specific immediate actions are required of the public to safeguard their health or to provide general information such as locations of flu clinics.

Health Information Line: 585 753-5600

Pandemic Flu

Before H1N1, Monroe County worked closely with state and federal health officials to develop a “community plan” for how to deal with such a health threat. Numerous stakeholders in our community played a role in developing this plan.

Visit the Pandemic Flu Resource Page

Staying current on this issue is very important. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for more information. This site is kept very current and is the best source for factual, unbiased information on this subject.

We understand that this issue can be very alarming. Being informed and prepared are key to dealing with this potential health threat.

Wind Chill Index

Picture of young boy out in snow with scarf blowing.

During the winter months in Rochester, the combined effect of wind and temperature—known as the Wind Chill Index (WCI)—can be very dangerous. The method used to calculate the WCI was revised in 2001 after many decades. We have posted links below to several credible Web sites with charts and other useful information on this subject and a 2004 letter to school superintendents.

Download the Superintendent Letter On Cold Weather (89k PDF).

West Nile Virus

Picture of mosquito biting human.

West Nile virus (WNV) is an illness transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The illness is most serious for older people; healthy children and younger adults are at very low-risk for serious WNV infection.

More Information on West Nile Virus

Hot Weather Prevention Tips

Picture of girl at beach.

Extreme heat causes approximately 200 deaths each year in the U.S. and many more hospitalizations. The combination of heat and humidity produce something called the Heat Index (analogous to the Wind Chill factor in the winter). The Heat Index is often referred to as the “feels like” temperature, when relative humidity is taken into account.

The National Weather Service issues advisories when the Heat Index is expected to exceed 105 degrees. Older people and the very young are most susceptible to extreme heat.

During periods of prolonged hot weather it is wise to be careful. Attached are materials with useful heat-safety information.

Ozone Advisory

Ozone is created when sunlight reacts with chemicals from gasoline vapors, car exhaust, and industrial smoke stacks. It is usually worst in the latter part of the day during summer months. People who work outside and those with breathing problems such as asthma are advised to limit their outdoor activities when ozone levels are high.

See Ozone Warnings for more detail.

Bioterrorism

Picture of woman working in protective suit.

Anthrax spread through the U.S. Mail System and the threat of Smallpox being used as a biological weapon have caused us to become familiar with a new word: Bioterrorism. The Public Health system—federal, state, and local—works jointly with numerous other organizations to prepare for such threats.

See Related Links for a thorough explanation of biological and chemical agents that criminals/ terrorists may try to use as weapons.

Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cover Your Cough

Picture of woman covering mouth as she coughs.

To help prevent transmission of respiratory infections within medical practices and in the community, we are promoting the concept of “Cover Your Cough.” The attached materials describe various practices—including frequent hand washing—that will reduce the spread of various illnesses like flu and the common cold.

We encourage you to share this information with your patients and staff.