Recent News

Ohio Department of Health Launches New Monkeypox Cases Dashboard

August 26, 2022    1757    1757   

Ohio Department of Health director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, announced the creation of a new public dashboard to provide Ohioans with information about the status of monkeypox in the state.

The Monkeypox Cases Overview dashboard and interactive map, available on the Ohio Department of Health website (odh.ohio.gov), shows the total number of cases across the state, the number of cases per county, the age range of people affected by monkeypox, the percentage of cases by sex, and outcomes, including any hospitalizations and deaths.

The dashboard, which will be updated weekly on Thursdays, is modeled after other dashboards ODH has developed to share information with Ohioans about infectious disease outbreaks, including the 2018 statewide outbreak of Hepatitis A.

As of today, there have been 147 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ohio across 19 counties, with the most cases reported in two of the state’s largest metro areas, Franklin County, including the City of Columbus, (33 cases) and Cuyahoga County, including the City of Cleveland, (69 cases). Most cases (96%) have been among men. The Ohio Department of Health reported the state’s first case of monkeypox on June 13. As we have seen cases increase nationally and here in Ohio in the past few weeks, this new resource can help Ohioans be aware of the health status of their communities.

Monkeypox is spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. Monkeypox can cause a rash that may look like pimples or blisters. The rash will change and turn to scabs before healing.  Some people may get flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion. Sometimes, people get a rash first, then get other symptoms. Other people only get a rash. People who have been exposed to monkeypox or believe they may be at high risk for exposure should contact their healthcare provider or local health department for more information about vaccine or possible treatment options.

For more information, including frequently asked questions about monkeypox, visit odh.ohio.gov/monkeypox.

Spoofing Scam Reminder

August 15, 2022    2669    2669   

Licensees should remain aware that a scam continues to target and affect Ohio prescribers. Scammers are calling, faxing and emailing medical professionals claiming to be agents of the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO), agents of the DEA or agents of the FBI. These scammers claim that the professionals’ medical and drug licenses have been compromised and are being used by other entities in a drug trafficking scheme. As a result of these allegations, the scammers direct the medical provider to wire money to foreign bank accounts. Please remember, SMBO investigators, DEA agents and FBI agents will not ask for fine payment or personal/sensitive information over the phone.

When the scammers communicate via phone call, they spoof the legitimate phone number for the SMBO (614-466-3934). Be aware that scammers have the ability to spoof phone numbers to appear as though they legitimately belong to the entity they are claiming to be. If the Medical Board is truly conducting an investigation, and that individual faces action against their license, they will receive an official notice of opportunity for a hearing either via certified mail or by personal service. Further, emails originating from actual Medical Board staff end in @med.ohio.gov.

Learn how to identify a legitimate investigation, how to verify if the caller is from the Medical Board and how to file a complaint if you are contacted by a scammer here.

If you are contacted by a scammer, please report the incident to your local law enforcement and Ohio's Attorney General by filing a complaint online at ohioprotects.org or by calling 800-282-0515.

Agendas Posted for August Meetings

August 8, 2022    1807    1807   

The State Medical Board of Ohio has public meetings scheduled this week:

Tuesday, August 9

The Massage Therapy Advisory Council is meeting in-person at 2 p.m. The agenda and registration link can be found here.

Wednesday, August 10

The following meetings will be shared on the board's YouTube channel, as technology permits. The agendas and link to the livestream can be found here.

9:30 a.m. Finance Committee

10:00 a.m. Board Meeting

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Information Session

July 15, 2022    2129    2129   

The Medical Board will host a virtual information session at 6p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 to inform physicians interested in applying for licensure via the Compact. This session will include information about the Compact's legislation, eligibility requirements, and application instructions. The board will also provide responses to physician questions. If you have questions about the Compact you'd like the board to address during the information session, submit them here: Submit Compact Questions. 

This event will be recorded and made available for viewing after its completion. Click here to register.

The board anticipates being fully operational in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact on August 2.

Agendas for July Meetings

July 12, 2022    2454    2454   

The State Medical Board of Ohio has three public meetings scheduled on Wednesday, July 13. These meetings are open to the public and shared as a courtesy via livestream on our YouTube channel. The Board meeting agenda is available here.

9:00 a.m. Quality Assurance Committee

9:30 a.m. Compliance Committee

10:00 a.m. Board Meeting

Office Closure

June 17, 2022    1813    1813   

The State Medical Board office will be closed on Monday, June 20 in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

ODH Identifies Probable Monkeypox Case

June 14, 2022    1991    1991   

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, announced on Monday, June 13 that ODH has identified a probable case of monkeypox infection in an adult male Ohio resident based on preliminary testing at the ODH laboratory. Confirmatory monkeypox testing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pending.

“What I want to emphasize strongly is that monkeypox does not spread easily between people, and so the risk to Ohioans generally is very low,” Dr. Vanderhoff said.

ODH is working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient’s health care providers to ensure appropriate care for the patient.

The individual remains isolated and is following recommendations from public health officials and medical providers.

Dr. Vanderhoff said that unlike COVID-19, which can be spread easily from person to person through the air over several feet of space, monkeypox spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact between people, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body with monkeypox sores.

ODH strongly recommends that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of an unexplained rash (lesions on any part of the body) contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. People who are feeling ill should stay home.

Persons who only have flu-like symptoms without rash should get tested for COVID-19. Ill persons should wear a mask when seeking care or if they are not able to isolate from others.

Monkeypox is a viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash. Cases recently identified across the country appear less likely to have the initial symptoms of flu-like illness or lymph node swelling and the rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, may also stay contained to a particular part of the body.  

It is important to note that anyone can get monkeypox, even though most cases associated with the investigation in the United States have occurred among men who have sex with men.

Update: Infant Formula Alternatives

June 9, 2022    1914    1914   

Due to the recent Abbott infant formula recall and related formula shortages, the ODH WIC Program is temporarily allowing several flexibilities, including more formula options (brands and container sizes) for standard milk and soy-based infant formulas. Additionally, the Ohio WIC Program is temporarily allowing the issuance of store brand hypoallergenic infant formulas.

Click here to view a letter from the Interim Director of the Ohio WIC Program. You can also access the Ohio WIC Prescribed Formula and Food Request Form.

Medical Board Votes on Qualifying Conditions

June 8, 2022    2138    2138   

On Wednesday, June 8 the State Medical Board of Ohio voted to reject the petitions for autism spectrum disorder and opioid use disorder. These conditions will not be added to Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program at this time.

The board could review these conditions at a later date if additional studies or evidence are brought forth in the petition process. The next window for petitions will be November 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

Agendas Posted for June Meetings

June 6, 2022    1792    1792   

The State Medical Board of Ohio has public meetings scheduled this week.

Tuesday, June 7

The Respiratory Care Advisory Council is meeting via GoToWebinar at 2:00 p.m. The agenda and registration link can be found here.

Wednesday, June 8

The following meetings will be shared on the board's YouTube channel. The agendas can be found here.

9:00 a.m. Finance Committee 

10:00 a.m. Board Meeting