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Health department cites parasite spike, launches life‑vest loaner program and applies for $300,000 grant
Summary
Geary County Health Department reported no local hospitalizations or deaths from a statewide parasite outbreak but higher statewide counts; the department launched a life‑vest loaner program with the YMCA and said it has applied for a $300,000 national grant, with award decisions expected in November.
Charles Martinez, director of the Geary County Health Department, briefed the commission on public‑health updates including a new life‑vest loaner program, a regional parasite surge, and a pending grant application. He said the department partnered with the YMCA to loan donated life vests at no cost and will reimburse the YMCA if items are lost, to make the program sustainable.
On the outbreak the director said Kansas has seen unusually high parasite counts, and the Centers for Disease Control has not yet identified a definitive source. "Our numbers are extremely high," he said of the statewide trend, adding Geary County reported zero hospitalizations and zero deaths to date and was monitoring trends. Martinez said the county expects case counts to decline but remains vigilant.
The health department is applying for a $300,000 national grant that Martinez said would fit the department’s operating priorities; the county will know whether it was awarded in November. Martinez also outlined upcoming public events (a Safe Kids day and a back‑to‑school carnival), clinic staffing impacts and facility maintenance issues discovered after heavy June rains (leaking upstairs windows requiring work by public works).
Next steps: Health department to publish life‑vest loaner program details via social media and the YMCA, monitor parasite surveillance data and update the commission when grant decisions are announced in November.
