Public Health Thank You Day

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) highlights and celebrates public health’s vital role ahead of Public Health Thank You Day on Monday, November 24.

ASTHO’s top five reasons to be thankful for public health include:
1. Preventing illness before it reaches you. 
2. Keeping your food and water safe
3. Responding quickly during emergencies
4. Protecting the air, water, and environment around you
5. Using data and science to help guide decision-makers

astho.org/.../five-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-public-health-leaders/
#PHTYD #PublicHealthHeroes #publichealthworkforce

Medicare Open Enrollment

It’s easy to compare Medicare coverage options, shop for plans, and feel confident in your choice. Open enrollment begins on October 15, 2025.

Get started at medicare.gov/plan-compare.

Safe Holiday Meals

Keep raw meat—like turkey—separate from other foods. That means using separate cooking utensils, too. The juices from raw meat may contain bacteria that make people sick. health.ny.gov/.../consumer_guidance.htm

Get Help Enrolling in Health Insurance

Are you in need of health insurance? There are people who can help. The organizations below offer free specialists to assist you with enrolling in health insurance coverage.

Adirondack Health Institute’s EASE program: visit ahihealth.org/ease/ or call 1-866-872-3740.

Nathan Littauer Hospital Insurance Assistance: visit nlh.org/faqs/financial-assistance or call 518-775-4074 or 518-775-4092.

Protect Infants from RSV

RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S. As a parent or care giver it’s important you know the symptoms and seek medical attention quickly.
RSV symptoms in infants and young children may include: 
  • Runny nose
  • Irritability
  • Eating or drinking less
  • Cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • Apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds)

There are 2 ways to protect your infant from RSV. Most infants only need one, not both.
  1. RSV vaccine given during pregnancy, between 32-36 weeks pregnant and usually given seasonally from September – January.
  2. RSV antibody recommended for infants younger than 8 months old and usually given seasonally from October – March.

For more information visit:
  • cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children
  • healthychildren.org/.../RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold
  • Youtube: RSV Prevention Breakthrough: Protect Your Baby with Nirsevimab

Recall of Eagle Spice Ground Ginger

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice that Eagle Spice and Extract Co., Inc. has recalled Eagle Spice Ground Ginger, 16-ounce bottles with lot code 24907EGGG having a “Best Used By” date of January 27, 2028 due to the potential for toxic lead contamination. It is reported the product was distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania and may have been sold via online retailers and other outlets._The FDA advises consumers to immediately discard this product and not to consume it. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/?Event=97798

Lead-free for a Bright Future

Childhood lead poisoning cannot be seen and can go undiagnosed if a child does not have their blood levels of lead tested. Click the link below to watch a video from the CDC on the importance of childhood blood lead testing. youtube.com/watch?v=MPePSbzV_kg

Safe Gun Storage

Responsible gun ownership is also about safe storage. Safe gun storage means unloaded and locked in a secure place such as a gun safe or lock box. The key or lock combination should only be accessible to authorized users. gunsafety.ny.gov

Rabies and Wild Animals

Wild animals belong in nature, not in your hands!

  • Don’t touch wild or stray animals. Some wild animals may be rabid. It is best to avoid wild animals and teach children not to touch wild animals.
  • Avoid touching stray animals. A stray cat may seem friendly, but can become scared and bite.
  • If there is a stray animal in your neighborhood, contact your local animal control authority.
  • Seek medical care and treatment for all animal bites.

Put your family first and protect yourself from rabies!
To learn more go to: health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/

Mental Health is Health

Mental health is health. Supporting your wellness helps you feel better and live a healthier life. Visit bewell.ny.gov for tips on managing stress, finding your calm, supporting resilience, and healing trauma.

ByHeart Inc Infant Formula Recall

Name of Product: ByHeart Inc, Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, all lot numbers

24 oz cans; UPC: 85004496800
0.6 oz single serve “Anywhere Pack” sticks; UPC: 85004496802

Recall Date: November 8th, 2025: updated November 11th, 2025

Hazard: The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of 15 infant botulism illnesses from 12 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington. Laboratory confirmation for some cases is ongoing. There are no deaths reported at this time. All 15 cases included in this outbreak are reported to have consumed ByHeart- brand powdered infant formula. This testing is underway, and results are not yet available but expected in the coming weeks. 

Recommendation:
   Parents and Caregivers should NOT USE the recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. They should:
      Take a photo or record the information on the bottom of the package.
      Keep the container in the safe spot and be sure to label that product as DO NOT USE.
      If the child develops symptoms, the product might be needed to testing. If the child does not develop symptoms after 30 days, they should throw the container out.

   Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
   Seek immediate medical care if your infant has consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and has any of these symptoms:
      Poor feeding, difficulty sucking and swallowing
      Constipation
      Loss of head control
      Generalized weakness, i.e. weak cry, difficulty breathing, sluggish movement
      Decreased facial expression, i.e. droopy eyelids
   Symptoms of infant botulism can take as long as several weeks to develop, so parents should remain vigilant if they used the recalled infant formula.

For more information:
   fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
   fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/byheart-broadens-voluntary-recall-while-investigation-continues

Rides for Recovery

🚗 Need a ride to support your recovery?
The Rides for Recovery program can help you get to recovery events, meetings, treatment, pharmacy visits, court appointments, and more — wherever you need to go as you grow in your recovery journey.
📅 Call or text at least 48 hours in advance during business hours:
📞 518-705-4626
This service is provided by the Rob Constantine Recovery and Community Outreach Center youreinrecovery.com

Download the Fulton County Public Health Ap

Your health matters—and staying informed has never been easier! Download the Fulton County Public Health App to get updates, programs, and resources that help keep Fulton County strong and healthy.

apps.myocv.com/.../a34012095

Alliance for Positive Health

For almost 40 years, the Alliance for Positive Health (formerly the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York) has been a leader in fighting the epidemic of HIV/AIDS serving 15 counties in northeastern New York. As a leader in testing and care coordination services for those living with HIV, their responsibility is to extend that expertise to those impacted by sexually transmitted diseases, opioid addiction, and associated health and mental heatlh challenges. SERVING 15 COUNTIES OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK - ALBANY, CLINTON, COLUMBIA, ESSEX, FRANKLIN, FULTON, GREENE, HAMILTON, MONTGOMERY, RENSSELAER, SARATOGA, SCHENECTADY, SCHOHARIE, WARREN, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. allianceforpositivehealth.org

NYS Council on Children and Families Survey

The goal at the New York State Council on Children and Families (CCF) is simple: to help every child in New York get the best possible start. To do it, we need your voice. This short survey takes just a few minutes, but it can help us make a lasting impact on generations of parents and children.

 Your opinions and experiences can help us:
  • Understand what families really need to know.
  •Spread the word about childhood development, milestones, and early screenings.
  •Connect parents with trusted resources and support.

The survey is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential.
Take the survey here: EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES SURVEY
Please complete this survey by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 21 to make sure your voice is heard. If you have any questions about the survey, contact us at NYSB5@ccf.ny.gov.
Your feedback will help us support families just like yours across New York State. Thank you for helping us give every child the strong start they deserve!

Dolly's Imagination Library

Enroll your child in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and get a free book EVERY MONTH until your child’s 5th birthday! Find out more information at imaginationlibrary.com!

Protect Your Children From Lead Exposure

Protect your children from lead exposure by knowing where common sources of contamination are found.

Learn more about where your children can be exposed to lead here: cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/

Protect Your Newborn

Are you pregnant? Vaccines protect both mom and baby. Talk to your health care provider about recommended vaccines.

Learn more: cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/

A Guide for First-Time Parents

Becoming a parent for the first time is very exciting but can also be stressful with worries and concerns about for caring for your child. For tips on topics such as holding your baby, diapering, bathing, feeding, and more, please click the included link.

A Guide for First-Time Parents

NYS Venison Donation Program

Feeding New York State venison donation program: It is easy to join us in the fight against hunger. The process is as simple as dropping your deer off at a registered meat processor. The venison from donated deer is processed and distributed to food pantries across the state. feedingnys.org/hunters/

Be Antibiotics Aware

Antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses, including respiratory illnesses such as the common cold or a chest cold. Learn more bit.ly/4mAMTTS #BeAntibioticsAware 

Free EPA Lead Trainings

New York State has a new Lead Rental Registry Law that is scheduled to go into effect November 3rd, 2025. Property owners, landlords, and contractors across New York State and in the Lead Rental Registry communities of concern must be EPA certified in Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP). The NYS Rental Registry law will address lead paint hazards in pre-1980 residential rental housing with 2 or more units in these communities of concern. Before the law goes into effect, property owners, landlords, and contractors should get EPA certified in Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP). EPA certification is federally mandated when projects disturb lead-based paint in a pre-1978 home or child-occupied facility.

See our attached November 2025 Lead Training Flyer or visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County for a current schedule of free, local trainings to learn lead-safe work practices and help reduce childhood lead poisoning.
Register Here.

Rabies and Stray Animals

Animal bites and scratches can happen anytime anywhere, often by strays or animals you don’t know.
Ensure your protection from the fatal rabies virus, by following these simple steps:
1. If it’s a domestic animal bite: get the owners name and phone number.
2. If the owner is not around or the animals a stray make a note of:
  a. what the animal looks like (a good description),
  b. the color or number of the house’s around you,
  c. the street name and direction the animal came from and ran away to.
3. Wash the wound(s) with soap and water.
4. Seek medical attention immediately, at a local urgent care or hospital ER.
5. Report the animal bite or scratch to:
Fulton County Public Health, 518-736-5720.

Protect Yourself from Respiratory Viruses

Protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses this holiday season. Get this year’s flu and COVID vaccines, and the RSV vaccine if you are eligible. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which vaccines are right for you.

Test Children for Lead at Age 1 and 2

Removing lead hazards from the environment before a child is exposed to lead is the most effective way to ensure that children do not experience harmful long-term effects of lead exposure. Click the link below to hear one family’s story on how their child became poisoned and how to tell what your child’s blood lead level is.

youtube.com/watch?v=MPePSbzV_kg