Photo by Josie Burkhart
Belmont County Deputy Health Director Rob Sproul, left, discusses motions and resolutions during Monday’s Board of Health meeting as board member Dr. Renato dela Cruz listens.
Dr. Renato dela Cruz will become medical director and health commissioner after serving 15 years as a member of the Belmont County Board of Health.
Board members on Monday presented Dr. Dela Cruz with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his 15 years as a physician member of the board, as required by law.
Deputy Health Commissioner Rob Sproule said Dela Cruz is the person the commission consults whenever they have questions about illness or treatment.
Dela Cruz will serve as medical director and will be responsible for treating tuberculosis patients alongside Director of Nursing Gaby Timko.
“Having that resource on the board has allowed us to make decisions and make sure the right people get the right care,” Sproul said.
Timko said a big problem the committee is dealing with is tuberculosis patients who won’t take their medicine, so he worked with Dela Cruz to get them under the care of an infectious disease specialist.
Timko noted that the patient does not have active TB because the test was negative, but he still needs to take medication.
The patient had previously had tuberculosis and completed treatment in September 2023, but tested positive again in January 2024 and resumed treatment in February.
As Dela Cruz assumes his new role, the front desk secretary will retire and be replaced.
The board also hired a new nurse, Carol Tipton, as grant coordinator for medically disabled children.
The committee discussed the epidemiology report on Lyme disease and COVID-19, which is currently prevalent in Belmont County. Sproul said when it comes to Lyme disease, it’s important for people to understand what ticks do.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
“Most people become infected through the bite of immature ticks, called larvae. Larvae are tiny (less than 2 mm) and hard to spot. They feed on blood during the spring and summer. Adult ticks also carry the Lyme disease bacteria, but because they are much larger, they are more likely to be detected and removed before they can transmit the bacteria,” ODH says.
The area is a hotspot for the disease, with Harrison County reporting the highest number of cases per capita in the state over the past decade. So far this year, Belmont and Harrison counties have reported six cases each, while Jefferson County has reported 12 cases and Monroe County has one.
“If you find a tick on your body, remove it immediately to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease,” ODH notes. “If you become ill, see a health care provider. Lyme disease is curable. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid further health problems associated with Lyme disease.”
Meanwhile, the committee also discussed Drug Overdose Awareness Day, which will be held at St. Clairsville Memorial Park from noon to 3 p.m., Aug. 30. The awareness day will feature refreshments, information and free items, and will include a butterfly release ceremony at 1 p.m. in memory of those who have died from drug overdoses.
Members also approved a contract with Cain Learning to conduct equity training for Belmont County Health Department staff.
The committee approved a motion to refund Greg Martin $250 for the cost of the septic tank evaluation since the appointment for the septic tank evaluation was canceled, and a motion to refund the design application fee since another contractor was hired to complete the design.
Commissioners approved two resolutions, Resolution No. 5, which designates funds from the General County Health Account for the purchase of groceries not to exceed $250 for purposes of Overdose Awareness Day, and Resolution No. 6, which tentatively awards a Water Pollution Prevention Loan Fund contract.
The next board meeting will be held at noon on September 9th at the Belmont County 911 Building, 68331 Bannock Road, St. Clairsville, Ohio.
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