Public health warns of rising tick‑borne illnesses; HUD lead remediation and ATUPA grant advance

Deputy Public Health Director Jami D’Arcy told the Human Services Committee that May 2026 saw an increase in tick‑related diseases, with 30 reports compared with 17 reported in 2024–2025. "Ticks are running pretty rampant this year," D’Arcy said, and the department will step up public education starting next week. She noted that some tick‑borne illnesses rarely seen locally — including anaplasmosis and babesiosis — have appeared and that clinical staff followed through with patients.

D’Arcy explained that laboratory and clinician reports flow through the New York State Communicable Disease System, which triggers local notifications when diseases meet state emergency criteria. She said the department has not received updates on a Lyme disease vaccine under development.

On lead remediation, D’Arcy reported five of seven houses under a HUD Lead Grant have been bid and will go under contract next week; work will begin in a couple of weeks and seven families will benefit through abatement or encapsulation. She told the committee that whether residents can remain in their homes during remediation depends on the scope of work; portions of the grant can cover hotel stays and a meal allowance while a family is temporarily relocated.

D’Arcy also announced the Lead Smart Partnership Conference scheduled for Oct. 14, 2026 at Holiday Valley and requested committee approval to execute a state Department of Health grant contract supporting Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) enforcement (Contract DOH01‑C40103GM3450000). The ATUPA funding is Period #3 of a five‑year block grant that totals $166,000 for April 1, 2024–March 31, 2029; Period #3 covers April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027. The committee approved the contract and instructed staff to prepare the resolution.

The department plans additional public education and will coordinate notifications through the state disease reporting system.