Public health updates: tick-collection kits in vending machines, measles statistics and uncertain RICE grant funding; SPARK program grant renewed

Public-health staff reported several program updates at the Ashland County Health and Human Services meeting.

Liz, a county public-health staff member, said the department will distribute free tick-collection kits through at least two existing harm-reduction vending machines in the county. Each kit includes a stamped, self-addressed return envelope, a biohazard bag, an identification sheet and a short survey. The kits initially sent to Ashland County number 30, Liz said; the research partner (Marshfield Clinic Research Institute) can provide more packets during the summer if needed. The institute will identify tick species and test for pathogens; results are published on the institute's public mapping site, not returned to individual submitters. Liz described basic submission guidance including a limit of up to 10 ticks per sample and instructions not to crush specimens.

On immunizations and outbreak monitoring, staff reported that as of April 10 there were no confirmed measles cases in Wisconsin; nationally the transcript records 712 cases reported so far in the year, with 11 percent hospitalized (predominantly children under age 5) and three deaths associated with the ongoing outbreak. Locally, staff reported Ashland County vaccination coverage at 33 percent for children ages 1 to 7 and 85 percent for children ages 8 to 18 being up to date on the MMR series. Staff emphasized outreach to younger children as the group with lower coverage.

Staff also provided an update on the RICE (Routine Immunization Community Engagement) grant: the county received a tentative go-ahead to proceed with planned activities after a federal funding pause, but the funding remains unstable because a temporary restraining order and related court activity are pending. County staff said they are proceeding cautiously to avoid scheduling clinics or spending on staff and supplies that might later be unsupported if the court action curtails funding.

Other public-health notes: staff reminded residents that abandoned appliances such as refrigerators and some washer/dryer models can create a child-safety hazard if left outside with airtight seals; they encouraged safe disposal, door removal or securing units until proper disposal. Staff also noted a local hazardous-waste day and said the SPARK after-school prevention program received another competitive grant covering the next three years (amount not specified in the record).