We offer Tuberculosis (TB) testing in our clinic every Tuesday. Please call 419-282-4357 for an appointment. You must return to the clinic on Thursday to have your test read. TB testing costs $40.
TB is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs, but can also attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. Because not everyone infected with TB becomes sick, there are two TB-related conditions: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease.
We recommend using the Tuberculosis Screening Form to identify those who may have higher risk factors which would indicate a need for Mantoux TB testing. Please note some employers or educational institutions choose to mandate TB testing.
The following individuals should complete the Tuberculosis Screening Form:
All new students and new staff entering a formal school system
Older students transferring from another school district
Sewage system installation season is April 15 – November 15. Weather permitting, installations MAY continue after consulting with us prior to any work being done. We must issue a permit before work can begin. Contractors who install sewage treatment systems and who “clean” sewage tanks must be registered with us to perform the work.
Completed installations are inspected for compliance before we approve the system. Proper installation prevents contamination of groundwater supplies and reduces the incidence of sewage-related nuisances. Our Environmental Health Division responds to written public health nuisance complaints regarding systems that are discharging odorous, grey, or black wastewater.
Residents of Ashland County who have a failing Household Sewage Treatment System (HSTS) may be eligible for a HSTS Replacement and Repair Loan Program. Rental properties and new build homes are not eligible for assistance. More information about failing household sewage treatment systems and the loan program can be found here.
Click here for a list of our sewage treatment fees.
Alteration, single family application/permit: $110 + $75 water sample fee = $185
Alteration, non-single family application/permit: $120 + $75 water sample fee = $195
Water samples collected from an existing system (not a new or altered system) costs $80.
All private water systems must be installed or altered in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-28. We must issue a permit for installations or alterations to private water systems in Ashland County to ensure that proper components and techniques are used to provide safe drinking water. Applications for new or replacement private water systems, or for the alteration of a private water system, must be done using the statewide form. You will need to work with someone who is registered and bonded as a Private Water System contractor with the Ohio Department of Health.
The contractor who constructs, develops, installs, alters, or repairs a private water system must disinfect the system immediately following completion of the work that was performed. Disinfection must follow the procedures as outlined by the Ohio Department of Health’s Disinfection Fact Sheet for Drinking Water Wells – Simple Procedure for Homeowners.
Water Haulers are any person or business that hauls and delivers water to hauled water storage tanks used as private water systems. Water Haulers are required to register and have their trucks inspected once per year by the local health department in which their primary business is located. Landlords hauling water to tenants are also required to register and have their trucks inspected by the Ashland County Health Department. Approved water haulers can be viewed here.
A sanitarian from the health department will come to the property to collect a water sample and deliver it to the Lab. The cost is $80 per sample.
Well Water Testing
Lab results from well water testing can be difficult to interpret. The Ohio State University along with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has developed a well interpretation tool: Know Your Well Water
Please complete the Nuisance Complaint Form to file a complaint about a public health nuisance (excessive/improperly stored garbage or animal waste) at a residence or business. A complaint about unkept houses or yards should be made to your local City, Village, or Township Code Enforcement or Zoning Official.
To file a complaint regarding a local hotel/motel (bugs, cleanliness, etc)
The best way to protect yourself from a vector-borne disease is to prevent vector bites and remove vector habitats. To prevent mosquito bites, use EPA-registered repellants, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks, and tuck in your clothing. Use these same precautions for ticks, in addition to wearing light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks. Always look for and safely remove ticks on yourself, your children, and your pets. The longer a tick is attached, the greater the chance it will pass on a disease.
To submit a tick to the Ohio Department of Health for identification, please review and complete this form.
We participate in the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program, which is funded through an annual Ohio Department of Health grant. Through PHEP, we work with local organizations and agencies to plan for and reduce bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats and emergencies.
Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
Replace expired items as needed.
Reevaluate your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
Keep a kit in your home, your vehicle and at work. Kits should be easily accessible with enough supplies to last more than 24 hours. Remember prescription medication and items you may need for your pets!
There is still no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, but the disease can be stopped in people if a series of rabies immunizations are given soon after exposure. The mortality rate of rabies is 99.9% if left untreated.
If you are bitten or scratched:
Immediately wash the wound with soap and water.
Do not delay medical advice. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.
Obtain the pet owner’s name, address and telephone number. If you can, find out if the animal has a current rabies vaccination and write down the rabies tag and license number.
Complete an online Mammal Bite Report or complete the printable Mammal Bite Report and bring to the Health Department at 1211 Claremont Avenue in Ashland.
Ashland County Health Department investigates all reported domestic and wild mammal bites.
We are a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider. The VFC program supplies vaccines at no cost (an administration fee may apply) to any child from birth through 18 years of age who meets at least one of the following criteria:
The child does not have health insurance.
The child is enrolled in Medicaid (including Medicaid HMOs).
The child is an American Indian or Alaskan Native.
The child has health insurance that does not pay for vaccines (applicable only to children attending a Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic or local health department).
We may also be able to offer no-cost vaccines to eligible adults. Please call for assistance.
We have flu vaccines for ages 6 months and older. High dose flu vaccines are also available for those eligible. Covid vaccines are available for ages 12 years and older. The out-of-pocket cost for a regular flu vaccine is $50 and $100 for a high-risk flu vaccine. The out-of-pocket cost for the Covid (Moderna) vaccine is $193. These figures reflect a 10% cash discount if paid on the day of service. Medicaid, Medicare, and most forms of insurance will be accepted for payment.
Every Wednesday, we offer walk-in hours from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for COVID and flu vaccines. In the Fall, we host community COVID and flu vaccination clinics. Please visit our Calendar for the community vaccination schedule. Businesses or organizations wishing to schedule a private flu and/or COVID clinic may also contact us.
Using improperly sanitized needles and instruments for tattooing or body piercing can contribute to the spread of a communicable disease and/or cause permanent injury. Just as important as using sanitized needles and instruments is properly trained shop operators and their staff. Our sanitarians provide education and complete routine inspections to assure compliance with Ohio Revised Code 3730.
Campgrounds include recreation camps, recreational vehicle (RV) parks, combined park-camps, and temporary campgrounds. Campgrounds are regulated in Ohio because improper placement of recreational vehicles and incorrect utility connections on those vehicles or inadequate environmental controls can contribute to the spread of communicable disease and/or cause injuries. We inspect campgrounds and work with campground operators to protect the public from injury, minimize the potential for disease transmission, and provide a safe and healthy recreational environment.
Our public health nurses can perform a brief, head check exam to identify the presence of lice or nits. A thorough follow-up head check must be done following treatment. Parents or guardians are responsible for treating and controlling lice.
The most common symptom of head lice is itching, although light infestations may not cause itching so don’t rely on itching alone as a definitive diagnostic sign. The itching is a result of the lice saliva that builds up on the scalp, not the lice bite, which cannot be felt. Look for nites (eggs) on the hair shaft. They are numerous and stationary and look like a tear-shaped speck ranging in color from white, yellowish or brown. They are most commonly found around the nape of the neck and ears where it is warmest. Finding numerous nits within 6 mm of the scalp is highly suggestive of active infestation. Finding nits more than 6 mm from the scalp could be indicative of previous infestation, but still require treatment. The louse is more difficult to spot as they move quickly and hide in the hair. They are about the size of a sesame seed and range in color from cream to black. They do not jump or fly.
When a child is infested with head lice or nits, all contacts and/or classmates who sit within touching distance should be promptly examined. If more children are found to be infested, all the students in these classrooms should be examined.
Removing Lice from Your Home
Once treatment begins, it’s important to clean your home and objects to eliminate the chain of transmission of lice. Things like bedding, brushes, hats, scarves, helmets, combs, upholstered furniture, pillows and cushions, towels, clothing, costumes and masks, stuffed animals, dolls, cloth-covered toys, and carpeting need to be thoroughly cleaned. Keep in mind that lice can only live off of the human head for 1-2 days. Lice cannot live on pets and animals, but they can be temporarily carried by them.
Vacuum floors, rugs, pillows and upholstered furniture.
Machine wash in hot water (130 degrees F) OR place in a freezer overnight all clothing, linen, and cloth toys that the infested person might have worn or handled 48 hours before treatment began.
For items that cannot be machine washed, machine dry them at the hottest setting for at least 20 minutes.
Other items may be dry-cleaned (please call the dry cleaner and follow all recommended precautions), carefully vacuumed, placed in a freezer overnight, or sealed in plastic bags for 2 weeks.
Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water (130 degrees F) for one hour.
School personnel are responsible for vacuuming infested classrooms and collecting and removing loose articles of clothing as well as rugs, blankets or pillows used for naps or activities.
Please call 419-282-4357 to schedule a head exam for lice.