The Albany County Department of Health continues to receive reports indicating that H1N1 pandemic influenza is widespread in New York State, and in the Capital Region. As noted in our last update, testing for H1N1 influenza is only being done in limited circumstances, so the small number of "confirmed cases" is not reflective of actual disease activity in our community. Thus far, H1N1 is causing illness similar to seasonal influenza; most cases have been mild but it can be serious, especially in individuals with underlying medical conditions (see high risk groups on this website).

Television stations ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009 and switched over to digital signals. If you have cable or satellite television, or if you have a digital-ready television set, you should not have experienced any disruption. If you use an antenna to watch free broadcasts and you don't have a digital TV set, you need to use a converter box. More details »

Albany County Clerk Tom Clingan advises property owners to beware of a deed copy scam. The County Clerk's office has received calls from concerned property owners about communications that they've received from "New York Retrieval, Inc" offering to secure a certified copy of the deed to their property for a fee of nearly $60.00. This is about 10 times what it would cost to obtain a certified copy directly from the Clerk's office, and non-certified images can be viewed for free online.

There are currently almost 100,000 patients waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of people will need a tissue transplant this year. You have the power to help save and enhance lives. New Yorkers can document their decision to become an organ and tissue donor by enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry.

Lead Poisoning is a danger for every baby and child. If you are pregnant, protect yourself and your baby from lead poisoning.

Drowsy driving, driving while sleep-deprived or falling asleep behind the wheel, is a growing problem in New York State. In addition to increasing your risk of having an accident, driving while drowsy or sleep-deprived can alter your judgment and reaction time and endanger you, your passengers and other drivers on the road.

The Children and Family Services unit of the Department for Children, Youth and Families is looking for foster and adoptive parents. We provide training and assistance to local families who want to provide a safe haven or a permanent home to a child in need.

     The Albany County Health Department has issued an advisory for residents to be aware that bats may carry rabies and to capture any bats that come in contact with humans or pets for rabies testing.

The Albany County Department of Residential Health Care Facilities is providing disposal of used syringes and needles (sharps), for the community, such as for diabetes patients who use needles for insulin shots.