Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan 

Cattaraugus County Health Department offers its Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for 2019-2021. The CHIP is the result of the Health Department and Olean General Hospital's Community Health Assessment (CHA) adopted by the Cattaraugus County Health Department's Board of Health in October 2019. 

2019-2021 Cattaraugus County CSP/CHA-CHIP Executive Summary

2019-2021 Cattaraugus County CSP/CHA-CHIP

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The Cattaraugus County Health Department is pleased to present the 2018 Annual Report. Download the current Annual Report.

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Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Awareness - Cattaraugus County

Recently, a novel (new) coronavirus was detected in hundred of people worldwide. A "novel coronavirus" is a strain of coronavirus that has not been previously found in humans. Most coronaviruses spread the same way other cold-causing viruses do. This novel coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath. There is no vaccine for coronavirus. To help prevent a coronavirus infection, do the same things you would to avoid the common cold. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are infected. 

The CDC and the New York State Department of health are actively monitoring the situation. Please visit the Cattaraugus County Health Department fact sheet page to learn more about the novel Coronavirus.

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Flu Awareness - Cattaraugus County

What do I need to know about the flu?

For additional information please go to:

CDC

NYSDOH

We should ALL take action to protect ourselves from the spread of the flu. 

GET YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY!

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Vaping In Cattaraugus County 

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by e-cigarettes or similar devices. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine - the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. Many e-cigarettes come in fruit, candy, and other kid-friendly flavors, such as mango, strawberry and creme.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of e-cigarettes by youth has reached epidemic proportions nationally. Since the New York State Department of Health began tracking e-cigarette use in New York State (NYS) in 2014, use by youth in high school has increased 160 percent, from 10.5 percent in 2014, to 20.6 percent in 2016, to an astounding 27.4 percent in 2018.

For more information, please see the following:

CDC   NYSDOH

Pulmonary cases associated with vaping in NYS

Cattaraugus County Youth Vaping Report 2019

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Rabies Awareness – Cattaraugus County!

Rabies is a viral disease which almost always leads to death, unless treatment is provided soon after exposure. The disease is transmitted by licks, bites, or scratches from infected bats, dogs, raccoons, skunks, cats, etc.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department announces our Fall Free Rabies Clinics.  Bring your dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets to any of the free rabies vaccination clinics to protect them against rabies.  All dogs cats and domestic ferrets must be vaccinated by four months of age, but cannot be vaccinated before three months age.  There is no charge, but donations are accepted.  For more information, please call 716-701-3386.

Please visit the Cattaraugus County Health Department’s Fact Sheet page to obtain more information about Rabies, risk factors and reporting methods.

Watch a video about how to safely capture a bat. If a bat gets in your house, capture it and bring it to the Health Department to have it tested for rabies. DO NOT release it. 

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    Lyme Disease Awareness – Cattaraugus County!

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection you get from the bite of an infected tick. The first symptom is usually a red rash, which may look like a bull's eye.

But not all people with Lyme disease have a rash. The tick is most commonly found on white-footed field mice and deer, but can also be found on raccoons, opossums, skunks, weasels, foxes, shrews, moles, chipmunks, squirrels and horses.

Fact sheets about Lyme Disease, risk factors and screening methods are available:

General information about Lyme Disease

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A detailed Lyme Disease fact sheet which includes 2017 testing rates. 

Watch a video showing how to properly remove a tick.  

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  Protect Yourself from Mosquito - Borne

West Nile Virus Disease!

West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans and some animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Persons are at greatest risk of exposure to infected mosquitoes from July through September with peak activity late July to August. 

There are no human vaccines or treatment for WNV.  Prevention of mosquito bites is the most important way to reduce your risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Please visit the Health Department WNV fact sheet to learn more about WNV disease and mosquito control.