Crawford County Public Health

08/18/2026

Don't forget about the littlest members of our community in need -- the newborn babies in NICU's (neonatal intensive care units). We are an OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank Drop Off Site, which means you can drop off your extra breast milk with us and we will take care of shipping it down to OhioHealth for you. Our OhioHealth partners taught us that just 1 ounce of milk can feed up to 3 preemies for a day. Currently, our Milk Freezer is empty.
If you have extra breast milk and would like to become an approved donor, please fee to call the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank at (614)566-0630, or email them at [email protected] or visit their website: https://www.ohiohealth.com/services/womens-health/mothers-milk-bank

08/17/2026

Now that the Bratwurst Festival is over, we are excited to let you know it's just one month until the Crestline Harvest Festival! Here is the complete schedule with plenty of food trucks, music and family-friendly activities all planned. (And of course our health inspectors will be there on Thursday making sure food safety is on the menu too!)

We are officially 1 month away from the 2026 Crestline Harvest Festival!

08/17/2026

For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together on August 31st to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives. By speaking openly, learning from one another, and treating each other with care and respect, we build a world where fewer lives are lost.

08/15/2026

💆‍♂️ National Relaxation Day is today, Saturday, August 15, 2026! 💆‍♀️
Taking time to slow down isn't just a treat—it is essential for your body and mind.
Choosing to unwind brings incredible health benefits:
❤️ Lower Blood Pressure: Calming your mind slows your heart rate and reduces cardiovascular strain.
😴 Better Sleep: Unwinding before bed helps your brain transition into deep, restful sleep.
🛡️ Stronger Immunity: Lowering your stress levels allows your immune system to fight off sickness effectively.
🧠 Sharper Focus: Taking mental breaks clears the clutter and improves your daily concentration.
Looking for simple ways to celebrate and unwind? Try these tips:
📴 Digital Detox: Put away your phone and turn off screens for a few hours.
🌲 Time in Nature: Take a slow walk outside or sit in a local park.
😮‍💨 Deep Breathing: Practice simple breathing exercises to quickly release muscle tension.
📖 Enjoy Hobbies: Read a book, listen to your favorite music, or start a quiet craft.
How do you plan to relax this weekend? Feel free to tell us in the comments below! 👇

08/14/2026

Bats are the most common carrier of rabies in Ohio, but other wildlife and domestic animals can also be infected and transmit the virus. So far in 2026, twenty-five counties across Ohio have reported a bat testing positive for rabies. Bat strain rabies is present throughout Ohio and nearly all 88 counties have identified bats positive for rabies over recent years. While human cases are rare, it is a reminder that this highly infectious disease is still present. To protect yourself, avoid contact with wild animals (especially bats, raccoons, skunks & foxes), vaccinate your pets against rabies, bat-proof your home, and teach children to never handle wild or unfamiliar animals. If you do come across a bat, this short video provide great info to help you decide if the bat should be submitted for testing or released back into the wild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPciKk9LEyk

08/13/2026

Happy Opening Day of the Bratwurst Festival! If you are a breastfeeding mom that will be visiting Bucyrus this weekend, please note the following locations if you would like to sit down in some air conditioning to feed your little one. After all, we want to make sure even the littlest visitors to the Bratwurst Festival enjoy all the hospitality Bucyrus has to offer! The City of Bucyrus , Bucyrus Public Library , Voice of Hope Pregnancy & Family Center

08/12/2026

The 59th Bratwurst Festival is from August 13th through August 15th and our Registered Environmental Health Specialists (the Health Inspectors) are gearing up to ensure that the festival isn't just "Ohio's Eatingest Festival" - that it's a food-safety minded one too! The food safety inspections will begin Thursday morning as the food trucks begin to start cooking. If you see our inspectors, give them a wave "Hello!" Be sure to come hungry as there will be plenty of bratwurst -- along with pitawurst, giant cream puffs, french fries (and lots of other deep-fried option), lemonade, funnel cakes, ice cream, burgers, and more. Some of the new food vendors this year include bacon on a stick and takoyaki. Here are a few pics we have snapped over the years. Happy Bratwurst Festival! To view the schedule of activities, visit: https://www.bratwurstfest.com/

08/11/2026

Check out this comparison of the June 2026 map to the July 2026 map showing the number of confirmed Lyme disease cases. 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

08/10/2026

If you live (or ever lived) in Bucyrus, you know what it means when you drive through town on a Monday morning and see chairs lined up along the street. The task of dropping off lawn chairs along the parade route to reserve prime viewing spots started over the weekend and it will most certainly continue to grow between now and Thursday. Happy Bratwurst Festival week!

08/10/2026

If you find your family in need of some immunizations before the school bells ring, we can help! We're out at Colonel Crawford Schools today, but still have lots of options available. Please remember to bring your insurance card and your shot records (we will update them). For questions or to schedule an appointment, please call (419)562-5871.