CHILLICOTHE, OH — The Ross County Health District (RCHD) has released its infectious disease surveillance data for the first quarter of 2026, revealing that sexually transmitted infections and respiratory hospitalizations remain the primary health concerns for the region.
According to the report, Chlamydia was the most prevalent reportable disease in the county between January and March, with 43 confirmed cases. Health officials noted that while other STIs like Gonococcal infections (10 cases) and chronic Hepatitis C (10 cases) were present, Chlamydia remains the most frequently reported condition in the district.
Shifts in COVID-19 Reporting
COVID-19 was the second most common reportable condition, with 18 hospitalizations recorded during the three-month period.
However, officials noted a significant change in how this data is collected. As of October 2025, state and local reporting requirements were revised to include only hospitalized cases rather than all positive test results. This shift reflects a move toward monitoring the severity of the virus and its impact on healthcare systems rather than tracking every individual infection.
Other Notable Health Findings
The Q1 report also highlighted a variety of other illnesses circulating within the community:
- Respiratory Illness: In addition to COVID-19, the county saw 12 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 5 RSV-related hospitalizations.
- Foodborne & Bacterial Illness: Small numbers of Salmonellosis, E. coli, and Giardiasis cases were reported, alongside 2 cases of Legionellosis.
- Emerging Concerns: The district recorded 1 case of C. auris and 3 cases of CPO (Carbapenemase-producing organisms), which are drug-resistant bacteria often monitored closely in healthcare settings.
- Also concerning is 10 cases of Hepatitis C For a county this size, 10 new chronic cases in one quarter is a metric officials watch closely, as it is often a proxy for the health of the community’s needle-exchange or recovery programs.
Public Health Outlook
The Ross County Health District continues to encourage residents to stay up to date on screenings and vaccinations to combat these trends. Residents seeking more information on specific diseases or local health resources can visit the RCHD Communicable Diseases portal at rosscountyhealth.org.
At a Glance: Top 5 Reportable Diseases in Ross County (Q1 2026)
- Chlamydia: 43 cases
- COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 18 cases
- Influenza Hospitalizations: 12 cases
- Hepatitis C (Chronic): 10 cases
- Gonococcal Infection: 10 cases
