Ashland County health staff outline tick‑testing vending kits, measles status and cautious use of immunization grant funding

Ashland County public health staff told the county board that the department will distribute free tick‑collection kits through harm‑reduction vending machines, reported current measles statistics and said a federal immunization grant is temporarily uncertain because of court action.

The public health staff member leading the update said the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute will analyze returned ticks and that the county plans to stock at least two of its three vending machines with the kits. “They started us off with 30 packets. And if we need more, they're willing to send us more throughout the summer,” the staff member said.

The staff member described the kit contents and how the research works: a self‑addressed, stamped return envelope, a biohazard bag, a tick identification insert and a short survey asking whether the tick was found on a person or a pet and other contextual details. “The information doesn't actually go back to the individual that collected the tick and sent it in, but it is available for anybody to visit the website,” the staff member said.

At the same time, the staff reported uncertainty around a RICE (routine immunization community engagement) grant that the department applied for last fall. The staff member said funding was subject to a federal pause and that “a temporary restraining order was issued,” adding that the county has received only a tentative go‑ahead and is “proceeding very cautiously” with planned activities so it does not commit to clinics or staffing that might not be funded.

The staff also gave a measles update. “As of April 10, there are no confirmed cases of measles in the state of Wisconsin. In the U.S., there have been 712 cases reported thus far this year. Of these cases, 11 percent have been hospitalized, predominantly children under the age of 5. There have been 3 deaths associated with the current measles outbreak,” the staff member said. For Ashland County specifically, the staff reported that 33 percent of children ages 1–7 are up to date on the MMR series and 85 percent of children ages 8–18 are up to date.

The staff noted the county is prioritizing outreach to younger children, who have lower immunization rates, which was one of the objectives intended for the RICE grant funding: reminder/recall mailings and personalized outreach to families.

Separately, the staff announced outside funding for the county’s SPARK after‑school prevention program: the program was “awarded another grant for the next three years,” the staff member said; the staff noted that the amount was not yet received or specified.

Other routine public‑health items raised during the update included a rise in human health hazard complaints such as abandoned appliances that can trap children and reminders about hazardous‑waste day logistics. The staff reminded residents to secure or remove doors from discarded refrigerators and freezers or otherwise render them inaccessible.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how the tick kits will be used and about the status of federal funding; staff answered that tick samples can be submitted regardless of whether the tick bit someone, and reiterated the tentative status of the RICE grant.

The update did not include board action; it was an informational report and no formal vote was taken on the items described.