Health Alerts & Outbreaks

The Medina County Health Department monitors outbreaks and health alerts. These might include infectious diseases, foodborne illnesses, food recalls, or other important health advisories that could impact our community. Below is a list of ongoing alerts.

In the News

Cyclosporiasis: Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite that causes frequent watery diarrhea and dehydration. 

  • The best way to protect yourself from Cyclosporiasis is to:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food.
    • Wash your produce thoroughly under running water for at least 1 minute.
    • Choose produce with smooth surfaces that you can peel or scrub thoroughly like cucumbers or bananas.
    • Cook food to an internal temperature of 165 or higher to kill Cyclospora and other foodborne illnesses too.
  • Call your doctor is you have signs or symptoms of Cyclosporiasis, such as:
    • Frequent watery diarrhea that lasts for several days.
    • Severe dehydration signs like dizziness, confusion, dark urine, or passing no urine. 
    • It is especially important to seek medical care if you are: pregnant, immunocompromised, an older adult, or a young child.
  • As of July 17, 2026, Medina County has 31 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis. The State of Ohio has 1274 confirmed cases. These numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Check our data dashboard and filter for cyclosporiasis for more data.

Measles: Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a high fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.

  • In 2026, there were 2,231 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States. In Ohio, there were 11 confirmed cases in 2026.
  • The best way to protect yourself against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are recommended by doctors.
  • The Medina County Health Department is monitoring this situation.

H5N1 Bird Flu

H5N1 bird flu is found in wild birds throughout the world and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows.

What Should I do if I Encounter a Sick or Dead Bird

    • The current risk to the public remains low.
    • In February 2025, the Ohio Department of Health confirmed a case of bird flu in an Ohio resident. There have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission. No cases have been identified in Medina County.
    • Farmers, poultry workers, and livestock owners can reduce their risk of bird flu infection. Follow proper recommendations and avoid unprotected direct physical contact with sick or dead animals.
    • The Medina County Health Department is monitoring this situation.

Foodborne Outbreaks

For a complete list of foodborne illness outbreak investigations, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website on Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks.

Additional Outbreak Information

For additional U.S.-based outbreaks and travel notices, visit the Current Outbreaks website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Alert Network (HAN)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues health alerts through their Health Alert Network (HAN) system. You can sign up to receive HAN alerts through your email.