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Franklin County Public Health Situational Update
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August 2025
Franklin County Public Health wants to stay connected with our partners in creating informed and healthy communities. This newsletter is here to serve as a tool for you to share resources for your community, schools, and families in your district.
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Epidemiology Report Review
Radhika Iyer, Infectious Disease Program Epidemiologist & Supervisor
- The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has implemented a new Respiratory Dashboard to reflect community levels.
- This dashboard displays trends across Ohio for COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- Reporting changes are coming soon from ODH, Epidemiology Reports will begin again once those are final.
- Past COVID-19 reports are now located on the FCPH Infectious Disease Data Hub.
- Review the full epi report.
- Please note: all the data shown in the report is only representative of Franklin County Public Health’s jurisdictions which exclude Worthington and the City of Columbus.
- Review the August Epi Presentation.
Beautiful Beginnings
Breana Francis, Public Health Nurse Supervisor
Review the Beautiful Beginnings Presentation (slides 7-11).
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Kristin Howard, Director of Communications and Public Affairs
New Site - Coming Soon
The Vax2Normal.org website was retired at the end of June. We are actively working on a streamlined location to host call information, including partner presentations and summary notes. Visit the new FCPH Community Hub to catch up on past calls.
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International Overdose Awareness Day
The Columbus & Franklin County Addiction Plan (CFCAP) is hosting their annual International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) recognition event on August 27, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Franklin Park Conservatory.
The event will focus on grief and recovery for families or friends that have lost a loved one to overdose. We hope you can join us for an evening of remembrance, connection, and hope.
Register to attend.
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Other Upcoming Events
Back to School Immunization Clinics
FCPH is hosting several Back to School Clinics for the 2025-2026 school year. The first one is scheduled for August 21, where eligible school age children and their families are welcome to receive low or no-cost immunizations. View the flyer for more information.
Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
Several FCPH staff were recently in Reynoldsburg at the annual 2025 Tomato Festival. The Communications team interviewed Mayor Joe Begeny for the Health Is Real podcast. Look for that episode coming soon. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts, including the FCPH website!
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Lisa Dent, Associate Director of Equity and Inclusion
The Equity Advisory Council (EAC) continues to meet every forth Monday afternoon from 12:30 - 2:00 pm. The next meeting will be held virtually on August 25. This meeting will feature a naloxone training by the Behavioral Health & Addiction Services (BHAS) team as part of the overdose awareness events FCPH is hosting in August.
Contact Lisa Dent at LisaDent@franklincountyohio.gov to register for the training and EAC meeting or for more information.
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Air Quality
Layla Abraham, Sustainability Supervisor
Review the Air Quality presentation.
Lyme Disease
The last 10 years have seen a big jump in Lyme disease cases. The number more than tripled in the last two years. Ohio counties are reporting rising numbers of cases of the disease. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) publishes a Lyme disease chart on their website.
Since Franklin County Public Health began tick surveillance activities in 2020, we have seen a steady increase in both the total number of ticks collected and in tick activity.
When FCPH began surveillance in 2020, we collected two species of ticks of public health importance (the American Dog tick and the Blacklegged tick). This year, we have collected six species of ticks of public health importance, including the newly introduced Gulf Coast tick and the invasive Longhorned tick.
If you find a tick on yourself, a family member or a pet, submit a photo using the tick identification form. We can identify the tick, estimate how long it was attached, and provide information on associated pathogens or illnesses.
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Project ERA, Elevating Resilience in Adolescents
Tara Crawford, Community Engagement Coordinator
Review the ERA presentation.
National Community Health Center Week
Buhari Mohammed, PhD, CEO
Review the Heart of Ohio Family Health presentation.
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