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145 cases of cyclosporiasis had been reported in 17 states from May 1-June 16. Since then, nearly 1,000 cases have been reported in Michigan and at least 500 in Ohio.
CELINA - A gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite often found in raw produce touched down in Mercer County this week after spreading across 18 states in less than a month.
At the Mercer Health District's regular board of health meeting on Wednesday, county epidemiologist Ilana Richter warned board of health members of an ongoing nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. The disease generally is transmitted by eating contaminated produce.
"There has been a countrywide outbreak since mid-June. We don't have the most current numbers because they're always a few days behind. … But it's been reported in at least 18 states and kind of anecdotally reported in a lot more. Michigan had at least 600 cases out of this weekend. Ohio has had at least 250, probably a lot more, there is a little bit of a lag in reporting. Mercer County had its first case this week. For anyone who doesn't know - cyclosporiasis is a parasite found on contaminated food, especially raw produce. It is typically, in past outbreak symptoms, associated with herbs and berries like raspberries, basil, cilantro, stuff like that, that you wouldn't cook before eating them."
Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, is found on contaminated food, especially raw produce. In past outbreaks, it has been associated with herbs and berries that you wouldn't cook before ingesting. ODH urged Ohioans this week to take extra precautions when handling fruits and vegetables. Pictured is cilantro.
Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, in a news release issued Wednesday, urged Ohioans to take extra precautions when handling fruits and vegetables to help prevent contracting the disease.
Per the release, the most common symptom of the disease is watery diarrhea. Bloating or cramping or loss of appetite can also occur. If not treated, symptoms may seem to get better and then return one or more times. Those who experience these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
"If anyone in the community has been experiencing severe, recurring, explosive diarrhea for at least a couple of days, you should go to the hospital and request them that they add the cyclo test onto the routine GI panel because it's not (automatically) on there," Richter said. "Patients have to be interviewed by the health department because this is a nationwide outbreak and they're trying everything they can to find the culprit food in question. For the public, it is helpful to wash and scrub vegetables before you eat them, but that is not a perfect defense as cyclo can be pretty sneaky. It might be better to avoid (produce) or make sure to cook any produce that you get from the store until we figure out what is going on."
As of July 2, 28 Ohioans had been hospitalized.
"Fortunately, there have been no deaths in Ohio, as is consistent with our past experiences with this illness," Vanderhoff said in the release. "Nevertheless, this is a serious illness that can cause dehydration and require people to seek emergency medical care, and it should be taken seriously."
At this point, no common source has been identified, and an investigation into the source of the outbreak is ongoing.
In other business on Wednesday, board of health members approved amendments to next year's budget accounting for a proposed $100,000 cut in tax revenue and $60,000 in possible facility rent.
The budget changes were made after a meeting with the county budget commission on June 24.
During the meeting, commission members informed health district fiscal officer Matthew Clark, county health district administrator Michelle Kimmel and board of health member Diane Lefeld that they plan to cut $100,000 from the health district's inside millage next year; and strongly suggested the district set aside $60,000 to potentially pay rent to the county.
The agency currently collects around $325,000 in inside millage from the political subdivisions. Inside millage is decided by the budget commission and is not voted on.
"We met with the budget commission, and they recommended to decrease our inside millage by $100,000. And then also for us to budget $60,000 in rent for 2027," Clark said. "The rent, like we said, is unknown at this point (if it will happen), but definitely, the budget commission wants to reduce the inside millage. I told them, 'Hey, we've already passed a 2027 budget.' We have to pass it before April 1st. This is just an update. There's lots of pages here, but basically there's only two things to change on the income side, and then the rent - that's the only change."
Clark continued that members of the budget commission - comprised of county auditor Jeff Larmore, the county treasurer David Wolters, and prosecuting attorney Erin Minor - did assure him they do not plan on reducing the health agency's inside millage again in the near future.
Lefeld recommended they get a written statement from the commission that says they will not reduce the agency's millage for a set amount of years.
"We'll do our best," Clark said. "The net effect though, it's very minor for us, but you can see in the future, though, if we had that $100,000, it would definitely look a lot different. … It's not just us (receiving a cut in inside millage) it's everybody."
The amended 2027 budget approved Wednesday includes an estimated revenue of $1,941,104.00; estimated expenses of $1,948,395.28; an estimated deficit of $7,291.28; an estimated carryover of $780,910; and an estimated cash balance of $773,618.72 by Dec. 31, 2027.
Also on Wednesday, board of health members discussed Kimmel's ongoing search to replace former director of nursing Misty Kleman, whose last day of employment was June 19.
Kleman submitted a letter of resignation on June 8. No reason was given for her departure.
While a public health nurse for the agency, Kleman was promoted to assistant director of nursing in January 2022. She was promoted again to director of nursing in November 2023.
"With Misty's resignation last month, we began advertising for the director of nursing (position) … We did get three applicants. One has withdrawn their application. One we have a scheduled interview for next Tuesday afternoon. This candidate is coming in with the qualifications desired," Kimmel said. "The third applicant did not meet the educational qualifications, but I told the person I would keep their information in the folder just as a just-in-case kind of thing."
In addition Wednesday, board of health members:
• referred a sewage system operation and maintenance complaint for Travis Heistan of Erastus-Durbin Road in Celina to the county prosecutor's office.
• ordered proof of rabies vaccination orders for a cat owned by Amber Archer of North Street in Celina, and a dog owned by Ciara Limon of East Livingston Street in Celina. Both animals were involved in animal bite incidents. The owners have until the end of July to show proof the animals are vaccinated.
• briefly discussed the implementation of an agency remote work policy.
After looking into whether or not the county has its own policy, Kimmel found that the county has a telework agreement used on a case-by-case basis.
The matter was tabled until August to give Kimmel time to tailor the county's agreement to the health district's specific needs.
• went into an executive session to discuss personnel. No action was planned for after the session.
The health board meets next at 8 a.m. Aug. 12 in the courthouse auditorium.
