
Putnam County
Department of Health News & Press Release
News & Press Release
Heart Health for Smokers: Quit Program Starts March 10
27 February 2025
BREWSTER, NY—Every February public health advocates commemorate Heart Month to prompt residents to keep their hearts healthy. Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in Putnam Coun…
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 22nd from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the cli…
FREE Smoking Cessation Program Begins March 10 in Putnam
11 February 2025
The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County.
Hundreds of thousands of…
Tracking cases of bird flu more efficiently—You can help
06 February 2025
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched a new web-based platform where residents can report suspected cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), kno…
The Importance of Worksite Wellness: Spotlight on Kim Roberts
31 January 2025
The Importance of Worksite Wellness: Spotlight on Kim Roberts
Employee wellness programs increase employee morale and improve performance at work. Like many organizations and businesses, Putnam Cou…
Public Health…Built by Everyone!
24 January 2025
Public health is for everyone, and multisector community partnerships are essential. Through collaborations built with a variety of community partners, the health department guides a cooperative heal…
Public Health is for Everyone!
24 January 2025
Public Health is for Everyone!
“Prevent, Promote, Protect” is the tagline of public health. These principles guide the work done at local and state health departments. Public health workers strive…
Preparing Before Disaster Strikes
22 January 2025
It can be overwhelming and sad to see the devastation in California. On the East Coast, many people have responded by generously donating to help people rebuild their lives. While there is not much e…
A Radon Reminder from the Health Department
21 January 2025
BREWSTER, NY—Radon, an invisible, odorless gas, is a common environmental hazard in Putnam County. In wintertime, the risk of exposure increases because people spend more time inside and seal up thei…
H5N1 Positive Goose in Putnam: Risk to Public Remains Low
17 January 2025
BREWSTER, NY—The Putnam County Department of Health was notified of a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as H5N1 or “bird flu” in a wild goose found in Putnam County. The…
BREWSTER, NY—The job of protecting the environment is a round-the-clock responsibility and it’s not getting any easier as changing climate and extreme weather conditions bring increased precipitation…
Interim Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD joined the health department nearly 10 years ago. Dr. Mike, as he is known around the office and the community, is preparing to make his departure…
PCDOH is alerting the public to an increasing incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses in the county, as well as the region and the state. PCDOH is investigating reports of gastrointestinal illness as…
Health Department Highlights ATUPA Program Staff
30 November 2024
The Putnam County Department of Health undertakes several tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation programs. Among them is the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) program. ATUPA aims to…
Health Department Promotes Great American Smokeout
18 November 2024
BREWSTER, NY—The Great American Smokeout is here, a good time to think about quitting. Nicotine, the stimulant found in tobacco products, is not only highly addictive, but also contributes to some of…
Tips for Healthy Eating and Exercise During the Holidays
15 November 2024
The crisp, cool fall air signals the winter and holiday season ahead. While this can bring pleasant feelings of nostalgia, the cold weather and festivities also present challenges to staying active a…
Putnam Prepares for America Recycles Day, November 15;
05 November 2024
BREWSTER, NY—As America Recycles Day approaches, the Putnam County Department of Health is calling on residents and visitors to embrace the challenge to refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle more. Celebr…
For more than two decades, the Putnam County Department of Health has had a childhood lead poisoning prevention program. This program is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Health Servic…
BREWSTER, NY—Lead poisoning prevention week comes every October. Its purpose is both locally and nationally important—to call individuals, families and organizations together to raise awareness and e…
Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic Scheduled for November 2
03 October 2024
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, November 2nd from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the c…
Mental Health Awareness & Resources
01 October 2024
Mental health and well-being were some of the main health challenges identified in Putnam during the most recent Community Health Assessment performed in 2022. And for good reason- one in five adults…
Health Department Highlights Public Health Emergency Preparedness with Staff Spotlight
26 September 2024
National Preparedness Month happens every September, making it a good time to ensure your emergency plans and kit are up to date. Just as individuals and families have emergency plans, so do municipa…
Mosquito Season is Still Active
24 September 2024
CARMEL, NY – Fall is officially here, but mosquito season is not quite over. Governor Hochul has announced that the first human case of eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, in New York since 2015 ha…
Fall Prevention Awareness Week starts today!
19 September 2024
Every day this week through Friday, we will raise awareness and debunk a myth about older adult falls, courtesy of the National Council on Aging. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfata…
BREWSTER, NY—Putnam County residents have a chance to take their first steps, or restart their journey, toward a tobacco-free life. The Putnam County Department of Health, in partnership with the Pre…
Walkers Unite for Suicide Prevention
06 September 2024
There is still time to sign up and participate on Sunday, September 15, as walkers will gather at the county’s social services building at 100 Old Route 6 in Carmel. This walk, like hundreds of other…
Putnam County’s Medical Reserve Corps Honored by Legislature
04 September 2024
CARMEL, NY— This September, as National Emergency Preparedness Month begins, the Putnam County Legislature recognized the county’s Medical Reserve Corps volunteers as the organization celebrates its…
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Putnam County residents is on Saturday, October 5th from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Fahnestock State Park, Canopus Beach Parking Lot, 1570 Route 301, Kent, NY. Pr…
Vaccination Time Arrives, as School Days Return
27 August 2024
BREWSTER, NY—With the first day of school just weeks away, scheduling a check-up with a child’s healthcare provider for any necessary vaccines is on top of many parents’ to-do lists. Proof of up-to-d…
Three public flu clinics have been announced by the Putnam County Department of Health for Putnam residents, 18 years of age and older. Two drive-thru clinics will be held at the health department of…
BREWSTER, NY—The 2024 Community Health Survey is now open for Putnam residents to provide input on the county’s state of health and the factors contributing to health. This anonymous survey is a key…
Suicide Prevention in Putnam and Beyond
30 July 2024
Suicide prevention month is commemorated every September, but everyone knows that mental health challenges and suicides happen year-round. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention…
Health Department Spotlight: Danny Reis
25 July 2024
Public Health Sanitarians are charged with protecting and improving the health of residents by ensuring healthy and safe conditions at certain facilities. Danny Reis, a sanitarian at the Putnam Count…
BREWSTER, NY—Lead poisoning prevention month comes annually in the fall—but the staff at the Putnam County Department of Health know well it is a year-round job—with the livelihood of children at sta…
With confirmation of West Nile Virus found in a group of Rockland County mosquitoes, and the recent rain, it’s a good time to review how to prevent mosquito breeding. It doesn’t take much rain to cre…
Spotlight on the Public Health Corps Fellowship
27 June 2024
The New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship was established in 2021 to assist local health departments in COVID-19 efforts. The Fellowship quickly transitioned into supporting local health depa…
The PCDOH Makes Summertime Living Easy…and Safe
25 June 2024
BREWSTER, NY—Summertime often means outdoor activities at the beach or pool. For lucky youngsters, it may also mean summer camp. To help ensure safe, injury-free vacation times for all Putnam residen…
Heat-Related Illnesses 101
17 June 2024
Approximately 1,220 people in the United States die from extreme heat every year according to the CDC. And with historic heat predicted across New York later this week, a primer on heat-related illne…
Tips for Staying Healthy During a Heat Alert
17 June 2024
Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s this week. Here are a few ways to stay healthy in the heat:
Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
Stay in air conditioning as m…
Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic Scheduled for July 13
13 June 2024
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, July 13th from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the clin…
MAHOPAC, NY—It was not a golf game, but health challenges and successes in Putnam that took center stage last Thursday at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac. The occasion was the Public Health…
MAHOPAC, NY—The eleventh Public Health Summit drew record crowds yesterday, while ushering in several firsts. More than 100 attendees gathered at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac, a new loca…
BREWSTER, NY—The Putnam County Department of Health announced today that it has successfully completed a thorough review to maintain national accreditation status by the Public Health Accreditation B…
PCDOH Employee Spotlight: Chris Brady
30 May 2024
Summertime means different things to different people, but we can all agree summer brings trips to the beach and swimming. Importantly, swimmers need to know the water is safe for a dip. That is wher…
PCDOH Offers Free HIV Tests
29 May 2024
The easiest way to know your HIV status is to get tested. The Putnam County Department of Health is offering free HIV testing for New York State residents on Wednesday, June 26 from 10 am to 2 pm at…
Freedom From Smoking Starts June 17
16 May 2024
This session has been cancelled due to low enrollment. Please check back for new dates later in the year.
The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-ba…
PCDOH is Hiring Tobacco Compliance Officers!
01 May 2024
Many adults who smoke cigarettes initially began smoking in their teens. To prevent new smokers from starting, New York State currently has tobacco control laws and regulations to reduce underage acc…
PCDOH Employee Spotlight: Alison Kaufman
30 April 2024
Alison Kaufman, DVM, MPH, is the Epidemiologist at the Putnam County Department of Health. Lucky for Putnam, she made her way here a few years ago after working at the health departments in Dutchess…
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers Perfect Preparedness Skills; Health Department Hosts Conference
22 April 2024
CARMEL, NY—Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers gathered at Centennial Golf Course in Carmel on Tuesday to hear from experts in the field of emergency preparedness and management. The all-d…
Reduce Waste this Earth Month!
17 April 2024
Every day we throw things away without even thinking. Whether it is food, old clothes, broken objects or just things we simply don’t want anymore, the waste creation is a simple human activity that m…
BREWSTER, NY—The start of peak tick season is fast approaching. Those pesky, little juvenile ticks, called “nymphs,” are most active from the middle of May to mid-August. But it is never too early fo…
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Putnam County residents is on Saturday, May 4th from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Fahnestock State Park, Canopus Beach Parking Lot, 1570 Route 301, Kent, NY. Pre-Re…
Nearly 60,000 people die each year around the world from rabies, and most become infected through a dog bite. Rabies in dogs is much rarer in the U.S., but that is because of the high rabies vaccinat…
PCDOH Employee Spotlight: Nancy Collier
27 March 2024
The Putnam County Department of Health has many staff who you see out in the community, performing inspections, at immunization clinics, at health fairs, and more. But there is also staff who work be…
Be Prepared: Now and Year Round!—Part 4
05 March 2024
Being prepared and limiting the effects of an emergency allows for an easier recovery and supports resilience. This week the Putnam County Department of Health shares a fourth tip for emergency prepa…
What is Brain Health?
20 March 2024
Brain health is an important contributor to an individual's overall health. Brain health includes cognitive, motor, emotional, and tactile functions. Cognitive health is important as it allows an ind…
Be Prepared: Now and Year Round!—Part 3
05 March 2024
Preparation is the first step one can take. However in the midst of an emergency, it is also important to have the latest information on whatever situation is unfolding. This week the Putnam County D…
It’s National Nutrition Month!
18 March 2024
What might you do to improve your nutrition? Josephine Quiocho, the SNAP-Ed nutrition educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension recently talked to Putnam County employees about some simple steps th…
Be Prepared: Now and Year Round!—Part 2
05 March 2024
Pre-planning and being prepared allows one to limit the effects of an emergency or disaster. This week the Putnam County Department of Health shares a second tip for emergency preparedness.
Tip Two…
Be Prepared: Now and Year Round!—Part 1
05 March 2024
One week it’s warm outside; the next, it’s cold. Fortunately many tips for preparedness are seasonless. In addition to the unpredictable nature of weather, the specific challenges that may arise duri…
PCDOH Highlights Public Health Engineering with Staff Spotlight
29 February 2024
Earlier this month we took the opportunity to highlight the engineering division in the health department in honor of National Engineers Week. Each staff member contributes to the work of the divisio…
BREWSTER, NY—This year, as every year, February is the time for Heart Health Month. During the first week, Putnam County employees along with those from other organizations joined together to kick of…
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 23rd from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the cli…
It's National Engineers Week!
15 February 2024
The Putnam County Department of Health would like to recognize the work of the engineering division during National Engineers week. They are a great team of people that care deeply about their work…
Putnam County Feral Cat Tests Positive for Rabies: Department of Health Issues Alert
09 February 2024
The Putnam County Department of Health is issuing an alert to residents after a feral cat, found in the Peekskill Hollow Road and Tinker Hill Road section of Putnam Valley, tested positive for rabi…
PCDOH Highlights Smoking Cessation with Staff Spotlight
31 January 2024
Many people decide that the new year is a good time to quit smoking, but any time is a good time to quit. There are several ways a person can go about quitting smoking, but having support makes all t…
BREWSTER, NY—Radon is a colorless, odorless gas…a silent health threat that is considered the number one-cause of lung cancer for people who don’t smoke. For those who do smoke, the combination can w…
Smoking Cessation Classes Start February 12 at Health Department
11 January 2024
The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County. Classes will be held in pe…
Health Department To Residents…Resolve to Protect Your Septic
02 January 2024
BREWSTER, NY—Protecting the environment is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year responsibility for the Putnam County Department of Health. And while springtime showers can saturate the ground with the potential to…
PCDOH Highlights Immunizations with Staff Spotlight
29 December 2023
National Influenza Vaccination Week occurs every December to highlight the importance of influenza vaccination. Even this late in the year is still a good time to protect oneself with a flu vaccine…
PCDOH Highlights Rabies Prevention with Staff Spotlight
28 November 2023
The Putnam County Department of Health continually strives to prevent illness in the community. Public Health Sanitarians perform this task in a variety of ways, including a multi-faceted approach to…
Free HIV Testing at Health Department for World AIDS Day
20 November 2023
Putnam residents are invited to visit the health department on Tuesday, December 5th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for free HIV testing. These expanded HIV testing hours are to mark World AIDS Day, comm…
FDA Issues Alert About Lead Found in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches
09 November 2023
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration, known as the FDA, has issued a public health alert advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed certain brands of apple cinnamon fruit pouches to childr…
Seeing more ticks?
07 November 2023
If you think you’ve been seeing more ticks, you may be right. Those pesky little nymphs that arrived last spring become active again in the fall as full-grown, adult ticks. They are bigger now and mu…
PCDOH Highlights Child Health with Staff Spotlight
27 October 2023
During Child Health Month, the health department is calling attention to programs that help some of the youngest Putnam residents grow and develop. The Early Intervention and Preschool Programs coord…
Free Rabies Clinic Scheduled for November 18; Putnam Residents Urged to Protect Pets
26 October 2023
BREWSTER, NY—Rabies is a deadly virus. People and pets can be exposed to this virus when bitten or scratched by an infected animal, and any mammal in the wild may carry and spread the rabies virus. B…
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, November 18th from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the…
Homeowners on community water systems should be aware that their water operators have begun reaching out to them for information. Why? Because the materials used in service lines entering residential…
Got Litter? QR Codes to the Rescue!
11 October 2023
There are after-storm clean-ups, backyard clean-ups, spring and fall clean-ups…. And there’s the Putnam Litter Patrol.
Now the Putnam County Department of Health is using QR codes to ease the report…
In the Hudson Valley nearly 40,000 people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley chapter. Nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates more t…
As fall starts, flu season will follow. Getting a flu shot early is always a good idea, since it takes about two weeks to build effective immunity against influenza. The Putnam County Department of H…
PCDOH Highlights Food Safety with Staff Spotlight
27 September 2023
Food safety might not be something you think about every day, but for the public health sanitarians at the health department, it is front and center. Ensuring proper food handling and serving by loca…
Cancelled: Monday September 25th Flu Clinic
25 September 2023
The PCDOH has cancelled today’s flu clinic. All scheduled appointments have been automatically rescheduled for the rain date of Thursday, September 28. All registrants have been emailed with instruct…
Are your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines?
14 September 2023
Last week a local specimen sent for rabies testing to the state lab in Albany by the Putnam County Department of Health turned in the first positive test result of the year. Most potential rabies exp…
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Putnam County residents is on Saturday, October 14 from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Fahnestock State Park, Canopus Beach Parking Lot, 1570 Route 301, Kent, NY. P…
The Putnam County Department of Health is offering DRIVE THRU public seasonal flu vaccine clinics for Putnam County residents, 18 years of age and older, on:
Monday, September 25, 2023, from 2:00p…
Spike in Reported COVID Cases
08 September 2023
Over the past week, there has been a spike in reported COVID cases in Putnam County. The number of reported cases increased 113% from the previous reporting week, rising from 69 to 147. COVID positiv…
Smoking Cessation Classes Start October 2 at Health Department
06 September 2023
The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County. Classes will be held in pe…
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, the health department is spotlighting one of our maternal child health (MCH) nurses, certified lactation consultant Diane Liscia, RN, PHN, MS, IBCLC. Continu…
Walking the Way to Work Productivity
08 August 2023
The benefits of physical activity on general health are widely accepted. Now more evidence shows that it can also positively impact health—and job performance. This is according to a study reported i…
Cool Off This Summer, Safely!
02 August 2023
With the “Dog Days of Summer” here—and according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, they start July 3 and run for six weeks—there is nothing like a refreshing swim in the pool. Cooling off by swimming or e…
Health Department Offers Childhood Vaccines
01 August 2023
BREWSTER, NY—Back-to-school time is immunization time. As school supplies and new clothes top shopping lists around Putnam County, it is a good time to start scheduling those childhood vaccines requi…
Summer storms bring rain and mosquitoes
19 July 2023
BREWSTER, NY—While flood waters recede, the remaining puddles of standing water pose risks, not the least of which is the invitation to mosquitoes to lay their eggs. New mosquitoes may then develop i…
Surveillance data from the Putnam County Department of Health indicates higher than average cases of the tickborne disease anaplasmosis in County residents for 2023. Preliminary data shows 36 cases r…
Get Ready for Plastic Free July!
29 June 2023
Each July, the Plastic Free Foundation challenges people around the world to refuse single-use plastics as much as possible throughout the month. Many single-use plastics end up as litter in our road…
Putnam County Department of Health Hosts Conference
CARMEL, NY—Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers had a special opportunity on Tuesday to hear from experts in the field of emergency prep…
Stay Prepared for Air Quality Health Advisories
29 June 2023
An air quality health advisory has been issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Here are some ways you can protect your physical health:
Avoid strenuous activities o…
The Putnam County Department of Health is conducting an online survey to learn more about early childhood vaccination in our county. Parents and guardians of children two to five years of age are in…
Attention Putnam Residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, July 15th from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the clin…
Two New Moms Support Groups facilitated by health department maternal child health nurses will be starting at the end of June:
Mahopac Library, located at 668 Route 6 in Mahopac, in the Lakeview…