Barry County health officer: communicable-disease probes top 20,665; Lyme cases doubled in 2025

Rebecca Condan, Barry County health officer, told the board during the department’s 2025 annual report that her staff completed 20,665 communicable-disease investigations last year and spent substantial time contacting patients and their contacts to limit spread.

“This annual report reflects not just what we’ve accomplished but who we are,” Condan said, noting the department’s range of services from immunizations and lead screenings to environmental health inspections. She highlighted that the county completed 1,340 food inspections across two counties in 2025 and that septic and permitting activity has increased as the county grows.

Condan said Lyme disease cases nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025 — the highest level in about a decade — and that the department is tracking occurrences rather than attributing a cause. She described vector surveillance work this summer, including a new vector intern who will collect mosquitoes for testing.

The department also launched free “health resource” vending machines at county locations to increase access to harm-reduction supplies. Condan said the machines contain Narcan kits, condoms, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, first-aid and menstrual supplies, and are available to anyone who needs them.

On emergency preparedness, Condan described staff roles and bio-surveillance efforts tied to local manufacturers and large distribution centers. She reported that the health department ended fiscal year 2025 with net-zero finances and invited commissioners’ questions about funding and operations.

Commissioners thanked Condan and her staff for maintaining services during recent staffing and funding transitions. Commissioner Getty said the vending machines and grant-funded prevention work likely prevented overdoses, and other commissioners praised Condan’s responsiveness to constituent concerns.

The board did not take action tied to the report; the presentation concluded with commissioners noting the department will continue monitoring emerging threats and coordinating with local partners.