Knox Public Health reports spike in Lyme cases, norovirus and new school behavioral-health hire

Zach, speaking for Knox Public Health, delivered the department’s quarterly update to the commissioners on Dec. 4, reporting increased vector-borne disease, rising norovirus cases, and several operational pilots and staffing changes.

Zach reported year-to-date Lyme disease cases at 187 compared with 119 at the end of 2024, saying the county has seen continued growth in black-legged tick populations and local hot spots. "Where we currently are, year to date, it was 187 cases. Where we were at the end of 2024 was 119," he said, and he cautioned that tick population trends and micro-local conditions vary.

Zach also said norovirus is “skyrocketing” locally and noted wastewater testing currently targets influenza, RSV and COVID-19, not norovirus, limiting surveillance options. To protect vaccine and medicine caches, the department is piloting Sensaphone data-loggers that use cellular service to send off-hours alerts about cold-storage failures.

On school services, Zach said the department was awarded a change in scope for Centerburg Schools after planning with the district and that a licensed social worker started Dec. 2 to provide behavioral-health and acute-care visits; he stressed demand and caseload-management and described limited sustainability for a full health center model without continued funding. He also described a pilot biofeedback program—developed with Dr. Brian Barquette and Knox Health Plan—aimed at first responders and intensive outpatient substance-use clients.

The board thanked the department for the update; commissioners raised questions about surveillance, AI effects on youth mental health and next steps for pilot programs.