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Fairfield County health chief announces retirement, deputy appointment and flags Lyme cases
Summary
Health Commissioner Joe Ebel told commissioners the department’s Community Health Assessment drew about 700 responses, WIC demand has risen and 11 Lyme disease cases have been reported this year. He said his contract has been extended through February 2027 and named Baylie Blevins deputy.
Health Commissioner Joe Ebel updated the Fairfield County Board of Commissioners on the department’s priorities and personnel changes at the June 2 meeting.
Ebel said the Community Health Assessment — a living document used to identify local health needs — generated roughly 700 resident responses and will guide future strategy. He noted the department remains a nationally accredited health department and that more than 90% of Ohio residents are served by accredited local health departments, the highest percentage in the nation.
Ebel described rising demand for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services, reporting particularly strong growth at the Pickerington office, which has expanded operations from two days per week to five to meet caseload increases. He said staff recently moved into a new garage facility that eliminated four separate storage leases and improved space for receiving large deliveries of cribs, car seats and other supplies.
On disease trends, Ebel reported 11 confirmed Lyme disease cases in Fairfield County so far this year. He urged prevention measures — avoiding tall grass and dense vegetation, prompt tick removal and watching for early symptoms — and explained that transmission usually requires a tick to be attached for about 24 hours and that early antibiotic treatment is important. He added that American dog ticks do not carry Lyme disease but can transmit other illnesses and that tick collection stations have been set up at several parks to aid monitoring.
Ebel announced that his contract has been extended through February 2027 and that Baylie Blevins has been appointed Deputy Health Commissioner. He said he plans to retire in February 2027 and that the contract extension provides additional months to support a leadership transition. Commissioner Steve Davis asked about Lyme symptoms and offered congratulations to Blevins; Commissioners Jeff Fix and David Levacy praised Ebel’s leadership.
The department plans to use the Community Health Assessment results to prioritize programs and guide outreach; staff will continue monitoring tick activity and WIC demand as part of ongoing public-health operations.
