OC Department of Public Health

OC Department of Public Health Ottawa County Department of Public Health
miOttawa.org/Health

Holland Office
12251 James Street, Holland, MI 49424
Hours: Monday - Friday; 8 am - 5 pm
616-396-5266

Grand Haven
1207 South Beechtree Street
Suite B
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8360
Fax: (616) 844-1778
Monday: 8am-6pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Friday: by appointment only
Closed: 12pm-1pm

Hudsonville
3100 Port Sheldon Road
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Phone: (616) 669-0040
FAX: (616) 669-3039
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm

Salads are back! Michigan cyclosporiasis cases are slowing, and the data say it's safe to eat lettuce and salad greens l...
08/06/2026

Salads are back! Michigan cyclosporiasis cases are slowing, and the data say it's safe to eat lettuce and salad greens like normal again. You no longer need to avoid bagged salad mixes.

We're still looking into what happened, but it seems most people who got sick ate the affected lettuce back in late June or early July. We're still watching closely and will let you know if anything changes.

Keep up your usual food safety habits: wash your fruits and vegetables, wash your hands, and store food the right way. And don't eat any recalled lettuce.

Read the full release: https://bit.ly/4fUiZI7
Learn more about the recalled lettuce: https://bit.ly/4fR8C81
Learn more about food safety basics: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/about/index.html

Don't miss the flavors of Bulgaria at the next Real Food Can cultural meal!
07/27/2026

Don't miss the flavors of Bulgaria at the next Real Food Can cultural meal!

Join Intersection Ministries for the next Real Food Can Connect Us meal exploring Bulgarian culture and food!

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Cooking Class Experience: 9am–12pm
Learn hands-on from local experts. Spots are limited, so register today! (Location: Intersection Ministries, North Entrance/Basement Kitchen)

Cultural Meal: 12pm–1:30pm
Free community meal and cultural celebration. (Location: Intersection Ministries, I-East Building/Gym)

Both the kitchen and gym are located at 945 136th Avenue in Holland

Come curious about Bulgarian culture and ready to try new things!

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/45rWRjySpots

A huge thank-you to the Holland Junior Welfare League for their generous $2,062 grant supporting our Miles of Smiles mob...
07/23/2026

A huge thank-you to the Holland Junior Welfare League for their generous $2,062 grant supporting our Miles of Smiles mobile dental unit!

This gift funded a brand-new delivery system for our dental hygiene operatory — the part of the chair that delivers air, water, suction, and instruments during care. The old system made it harder for our team to access equipment comfortably, which slowed things down and meant fewer kids could be seen each day. With this upgrade, our providers can work more safely, efficiently, and comfortably — meaning more children get the dental care they need, faster.

After presenting the check, Junior League board members Adrienne Bailey and Jenni LaPorta, toured the mobile unit and heard firsthand from Program Supervisor Kacie Elzinga about how Miles of Smiles brings dental care directly to kids across our community.

This is just the latest example of the Junior League's ongoing support for Miles of Smiles. Their generosity continues to make a real difference for local families. Thank you for investing in Ottawa County smiles!

Learn more about Miles of Smiles: miottawa.org/dental

Looking to start composting in your backyard or community garden? Our Environmental Sustainability program is partnering...
07/21/2026

Looking to start composting in your backyard or community garden? Our Environmental Sustainability program is partnering with ODC Network and the City of Holland to show you how! Join our hands-on Holland Master Composter Training where you'll learn everything from composting basics to soil biology. Participants will leave ready to build and maintain their own backyard compost pile.

Mondays, August 17–September 28 (no class September 7)
9–11 am
DeGraaf Nature Center, 600 Graafschap Road in Holland
$60 (scholarships available)
Ages 18+

Registration includes a composting manual, a vermicomposting bin, and a cohort t-shirt. Complete at least 5 of 6 classes plus 10 volunteer hours to earn your Master Composter certification. Learn more and register below.

Did you know that there can be THOUSANDS of invertebrate decomposers in a single compost pile?

Registration for the 2026 Holland Master Composter Training is now OPEN!

Become a Master Composter through this 6 week, hands-on course led by local composters and sustainability professionals. With topics ranging from compost basics to soil biology, you will come away from this course able to establish your own backyard compost pile properly!

Register now: https://loom.ly/fMH5aVk

Ottawa County's air quality is in the Hazardous range today and is expected to be in that range tomorrow too. This will ...
07/16/2026

Ottawa County's air quality is in the Hazardous range today and is expected to be in that range tomorrow too. This will affect everyone, but may be especially hard for kids, older adults, women who are pregnant, and people with heart or lung conditions. If you can, limit your time outdoors today and tomorrow.

Check air quality where you are: https://www.airnow.gov/

Learn more:
miottawa.org/outdoorhealth

IMPORTANT: First rabies-positive bat found in Ottawa County this yearWhile it's just one bat, rabies is 100% fatal if un...
07/15/2026

IMPORTANT: First rabies-positive bat found in Ottawa County this year

While it's just one bat, rabies is 100% fatal if untreated – but completely preventable with proper precautions. Bats are most active May through September, so now is the time to stay informed.

If you find a bat:
• Don't touch or release it
• Call OCDPH at 616-396-5266 to see if it needs testing
• Seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched
• Safe collection instructions: www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html

Of particular concern: If you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping or with an unattended child or adult who cannot communicate clearly – contact us immediately, even if you don't see any bites.

Keep your family safe:
• Vaccinate pets (even indoor cats!)
• Never touch or handle wild animals
• Call your vet immediately if pets encounter wildlife

Remember: Wild animals can carry rabies without looking sick. Taking these simple steps protects everyone in our community.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bN5PLR

Wildfire smoke is expected across West Michigan starting today, and the air may be unhealthy to breathe. Keep time outsi...
07/15/2026

Wildfire smoke is expected across West Michigan starting today, and the air may be unhealthy to breathe. Keep time outside shorter and easier, close your windows, and run your air conditioning on "recirculate" to keep smoke out. Kids, older adults, people who are pregnant, and people with heart or lung conditions should take extra care.

Hot weather is here with the smoke, so stay cool indoors or find a cooling center. Call or text 211 if you need help.

Check air quality at current conditions at www.airnow.gov/wildfires

Update: Cyclosporiasis outbreak — lettuce named as a possible sourceCases of cyclosporiasis continue to increase across ...
07/13/2026

Update: Cyclosporiasis outbreak — lettuce named as a possible source

Cases of cyclosporiasis continue to increase across Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Investigators haven't confirmed a specific product, grower, or supplier, but early findings point to lettuce and salad greens as a possible source, so MDHHS is sharing updated guidance now.

If you're buying, prepping, or serving lettuce or salad greens right now:
-Choose whole heads instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce or salad kits
-Remove and toss the outer 2–3 leaves before prepping
-Rinse the inner leaves well under running water
-For any greens that can be cooked, cooking to a temperature of at least 158°F is the safest option - cooking kills the parasite; washing alone can't guarantee it's gone

This guidance may change as the investigation continues. We'll keep sharing updates.

Sick with watery diarrhea that won't quit? Tell your provider you'd like to be tested specifically for cyclospora — it doesn't always show up on routine stool tests.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4phgW5v

Michigan is seeing a rise in cyclosporiasis, a sickness caused by a parasite found on some fresh produce. Most cases are...
07/06/2026

Michigan is seeing a rise in cyclosporiasis, a sickness caused by a parasite found on some fresh produce. Most cases are in southeast Michigan.

No food or brand has been named as the source yet. In past outbreaks, the parasite has turned up on bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions.

OCDPH is monitoring the situation closely, and if cases are reported here, we will follow our usual process to track whether the case is related to the outbreak. Our recommendations are the same regardless of where the cases are occurring, and you can lower your risk with a few simple steps:

- Cook produce when you can. Heat kills the parasite.
- Wash all fresh produce under running water, even if you'll peel it.
- Skip pre-washed bagged salads and mixes for now. Buy whole heads of lettuce, toss the outer leaves, and rinse the rest.
- Wash your hands before and after handling food. Clean cutting boards, counters, and utensils.

Watch for sudden, watery diarrhea, cramps, and low appetite. Symptoms can start days to weeks after eating and may come and go. It's treatable, so call your health care provider if you're sick, especially if you're very young, older, or have a weak immune system.

Full guidance from MDHHS below. 👇

As cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise, MDHHS is providing additional recommendations to help prevent foodborne illness related to fresh produce. As of July 4, 2026, no specific produce grower/supplier, or specific produce type has been identified as the source of the outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite.

More info: https://bit.ly/4gYSinP

Wow it's hot out there! We wanted to remind you of the symptoms of heat-related illness and where you can find a cooling...
07/01/2026

Wow it's hot out there! We wanted to remind you of the symptoms of heat-related illness and where you can find a cooling center in the county. Share these locations with anyone you know who may need to get inside where it's cool and please look out for each other!

Refresh (First United Methodist)
57 West 10th St., Holland, MI 49423
Wednesday (dinner served) 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday (lunch served) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Gateway Mission
Gateway Mission will offer Emergency Cooling Centers from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm through Thursday, July 2. Anyone in need of overnight emergency shelter is encouraged to check in at and stay at Gateway Mission during these hazardous conditions.

-Gateway Eastport Campus Men: 643 S. Waverly, Holland, MI 49423, 616-928-3413 (men only)
-Gateway Women and Children’s Center: 356 Fairbanks Ave, Holland, MI 49423, 616-928-3469 (women and children only)

Herrick District Library
300 South River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday and Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed July 4th and 5th

Grand Haven Community Center
421 Columbus Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
7:00 am – 9:00 pm daily

Address

12251 James Street
Holland, MI
49424

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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