Crawford County Public Health

04/17/2026

To all pregnant and breastfeeding moms --- join us on April 20th from 1pm-2pm for our next Sprouts Breastfeeding Learning Group. Get questions answered and meet other moms and babies! You are also welcome to use our baby scales to do a baby weight check. (It's always fun to track your baby's growth!) This is a supportive group that is great at providing advice and helping one another learn. There is no cost to attend but we do ask to call to help us estimate how many will be in attendance. Call (419)562-5859 to reserve your spot!

04/16/2026

Looking for a professional public health position where work-life balance is valued? We currently have an opening for a full-time Director of Environmental Health. Minimum Qualifications - Licensure as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with at least 3 years' experience in a leadership role. Must demonstrate a strong commitment to public service, strong communication skills, integrity, critical thinking skills, reliability, and strong leadership. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and three (3) references to kate.siefert@crawfordhealth.org
To view the complete job description, visit our website:
http://crawfordhealth.org/current-openings/

04/15/2026

Looking for vaccinations for your new baby? What about your soon-to-be-kindergartener that will need shots before school starts? Your soon-to-be 7th or 12th grader? Or maybe you are older now and need to update your tetanus or your doctor wants you to get the shingles vaccine? Are you about to be a grandparent and your daughter wants you to make sure you've had a recent pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination? Are you planning on traveling out of country this summer and need some travel vaccines? All of these immunizations are things we can help you with! We offer clinic options by appointment right here in our office in Bucyrus. And if you are medically home-bound, we will gladly come to you. To schedule an appointment, call (419)562-5871. We can't wait to see you!

04/14/2026

Ringworm is a very common infection that is not caused by a virus or bacteria, but rather by fungus. And even though the name implies it, it is definitely not caused by a worm. Ringworm is highly contagious. There are three main ways it can spread -- from person to person, from pets/animals to people, or from the environment to people. Treatment of an infection of ringworm depends on it's location on the body. An over the counter antifungal cream is a common treatment, but an infection on the scalp, or one that is not going away, will require a prescription from your doctor. To learn more about ringworm, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/about/

04/13/2026

Are you looking for assistance with paying your heating bills? Anyone 18 years or older can apply for help. If you're 60 or older, the Area Agency on Aging can assist you with completing your application.

To apply, please have the following documents ready:
• Most recent utility bills.
• A list of all household members, including their birth dates and Social Security numbers.
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types).
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
• Proof of disability (if applicable).

For more details, call 419-524-4144.
You may also reach out to your local Community Action office.

04/13/2026

Do you have your hummingbird feeders out? It's time! If you want to make your own hummingbird nectar for backyard feeders, use a 4-to-1 ratio of water to sugar (4 cups water to 1 cup of white sugar). Avoid using honey, brown sugar, or commercial mixes, and do not add red food coloring. Mix the water and sugar until fully dissolved and store in the refrigerator between fills. Regularly clean feeders and change the nectar every few days to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. (Food safety is important for both people and hummingbirds!) Feel free to share your pics of the hummers visiting your backyard feeder in our comments. Hummingbirds are back in Ohio after migrating thousands of miles from their winter habitats in Mexico and Central America. Scroll to the bottom of the page on this link and you can follow their migration progress as they continue to move North.

Map of 2026 hummingbird migration and sightings in the United States and Canada from the Hummingbird Central migration tracker

04/11/2026

Cold, rainy days followed by sunshine and warmth during April & May makes for some great mushroom hunting in Ohio. The OSU Extension has a great guide for identifying mushrooms and can be viewed here: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-gen-11
True morels (Morchella spp.) are generally safe to eat as long as they have been cooked thoroughly. However, eating raw morels can cause tummy troubles. Also, some individuals have allergies or intolerances for certain types of morels. For these reasons, morels are considered generally safe to eat but should be consumed with caution the first time.
If you are an avid Morel Mushroom hunter, don't wait too long! The rule of thumb is that Morel season lasts only as long as the lilacs are in bloom. And if you need some recipe ideas for those prized Morels, here's a link to check out: https://www.midwestliving.com/best-morel-mushroom-recipes-11937941
Happy Mushroom Hunting! (And don't forget to check for ticks!)

04/10/2026

The 2026 Lyme disease cases are already on the rise in Ohio. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to people through the bite of blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic "bull's-eye" shaped skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. The blacklegged tick that transmits Lyme disease is active all year (yes, even during the cold months and even when there is snow). Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent and removing ticks promptly. And don't forget to regularly check your pets for ticks -- dogs and horses can get Lyme disease too. It is more uncommon in cats. For more information on Lyme disease, visit the Ohio Department of Health website at: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/diseases/lyme-disease

04/08/2026

The first week of April is National Public Health Week. In 2019 (or as we call it - Pre-COVID), there was a state-wide celebration in honor of the 100 year anniversary of county health departments across the state of Ohio. We loved the messaging from that campaign and wanted to share it again!
A lot has changed since the Model T rolled off the line! Since 1925, there has been a 90% decrease in the annual death rate due to motor vehicle travel. This is particularly impressive given the number of motor vehicles, drivers, and miles traveled in motor vehicles have all increased dramatically since 1925. Some of the biggest reasons why? Seat belt laws, car seats & booster seats, and awareness campaigns around drunk driving, young drivers, and pedestrians.

04/07/2026

We will be hosting another CPR training in just a few weeks and have room for a few more folks. To register, contact our Health Educator (Katie) at (419)562-5871 ext. 1212.

04/06/2026

Su***de is a leading cause of death and affects people of all ages. Su***de is preventable and a serious public health program with a far-reaching impact. Everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities. Hope is possible. If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support, call or text 988, or chat at https://988lifeline.org/. 988 is confidential, free and available 24/7/365. To get involved with local su***de prevention efforts, contact the Crawford County Su***de Prevention Coalition

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from everyone at Crawford County Public Health! We hope your day is filled with great joy, happiness, peace and good health.