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Health department reports May disease counts, outreach plans and a drop in animal‑incident reports
Summary
Medical director reported May reportable illnesses (including 18 chlamydia and 8 hepatitis C) and said Ebola-related contacts tested negative; nursing staff closed a grant, launched community blood-pressure screenings and promoted a July 28 health fair; environmental health staff reported fewer animal-incident reports and described steps to restore reporting with hospitals and police.
During the June 9 meeting, Middletown health staff presented regular departmental reports covering surveillance numbers, community outreach programs and operational issues.
Dr. Gentleman, the board’s medical director, summarized May reportable illnesses: "there were 18 chlamydia, eight hepatitis C, five gonorrhea, two hepatitis B, one pertussis, one Salmonella, one Streptococcus pneumoniae and one syphilis," and added that all Ebola-related cruise contacts and tests were negative. (Transcript contained several spelling/transcription errors that were clarified in reporting.)
The director of nursing said the FEP FY25–26 grant closed and the final payment was submitted; the FY26–27 award has not yet been announced. Nursing staff have launched blood-pressure screenings at libraries (monthly) in partnership with the American Heart Association, and the department will host a health fair at the community center on July 28 from 3 to 6 p.m., with Centerpoint Health providing physicals and vaccinations and OSU Extension offering nutrition and activity programming for children.
Environmental health director Carla reported active licensing work (four food facilities and one pool license in May), 22 pools opened this season with seven remaining, and two homeowners approved for 100% funding under the septic program. Carla warned that the full septic repair procurement (soil evaluation, design contract, and construction bids) could take six to seven months.
Staff also raised concern over a fall in animal-incident reports: 11 incidents this month versus higher counts in prior years. The board asked staff to follow up with hospitals and police to restore reporting pathways so animal bites and exposures are captured consistently.
Board members asked clarifying questions about designated receiving hospitals: staff named prior receiving hospitals and said the state is coordinating with hospitals to re-establish formal contracts and readiness for high-consequence infectious diseases.
No formal board action was taken on these reports beyond discussion and follow-up direction to staff.
