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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► Summer food sites updated on BEHS page
► Tickborne and mosquito story maps added on Communicable Disease page under resources
► Public Health System at a Glance, Legislative Booklet added to Communications page under Key Resources
► Animal Bites and Rabies Investigations training video added under Training section of Home page
► Quick Links section on Home page updated with additional links
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Aug 12: CHIP H.S.I. Net expenditure report for Quarter Ending 06-26 (April 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026) is due by COB
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost)
DHSS UPDATES
► Cyclosporiasis
DHSS has confirmed cases of Cyclospora resulting in Missouri joining the many other states involved in the current multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora. Cyclospora is an intestinal illness contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with feces. Over the last 10 days, DHSS has seen a significant increase in potential cases. DHSS and LPHAs are actively investigating hundreds of reports of illnesses potentially associated with this outbreak. This illness also has a 2 to 14-day incubation period before symptoms start, which adds to the challenge of determining a food source that might be the cause. Currently, a recall of suspected lettuce is being carried out. Thank you to the LPHAs for all your efforts related to the recall.
The Missouri Rapid Response Team (MRRT) has been fully activated to respond to the rapidly growing case count in Missouri. The MRRT is led by DHSS and responds to foodborne illness and contamination emergencies. The team is made up of experts from DHSS, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Activating the MRRT can bring in additional resources and personnel. It also helps streamline communications and coordination of the response to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
DHSS offered a media briefing July 20 to provide updates on the topic. (recording)
► DHSS Website
The new Health.Mo.Gov website from DHSS is now live. This update is part of an ongoing commitment to improve access to public health information, resources and services for all Missourians. LPHAs are encouraged to explore the new website and provide feedback. LPHAs may also want to their own websites, social media feeds, and print materials for links to the DHSS website that may need to be updated. Learn more
► Naloxone Standing Orders
Because of the update to the DHSS website, a link referenced in the Naloxone Standing Order had to be updated this week. No other content changes were made.
► PHEP Fall Preparedness Conference
DHSS is currently awaiting the release of HPP funding. They expect it any day, but in the event it does not come through as anticipated, they may need to make some changes the Fall Preparedness Conference, scheduled for Sept 1 – 2. DHSS expect to have more information within the next few weeks and will share a firm update as soon as they receive information.
► Mathematical Modeling Training
John Fieno of DHSS will be offering four virtual training sessions on Microsoft Teams beginning August 6 at noon. Subsequent sessions will be held August 14, 21 and 28 at noon. Each session will run 75 minutes, and sessions will be recorded. Learn about the key elements of a mathematical model, SUR models, Monte Carlo studies, sensitivity tests, and more. Email John Fieno to register for the series.
► World Cup Wrap-Up
DHSS would like to give a huge special thanks to the hundreds of Missouri public health experts working behind the scenes for several months within local public health agencies impacted by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In these times, we are especially grateful for our partnerships and ability to collaborate across agencies. THANK YOU!
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, DHSS conducted an extensive communicable disease risk assessment to identify priority infections and align resources. With no unified federal guidance available early on, Missouri independently reviewed global sporting event data, expert opinions and past experience to establish its surveillance priorities — ultimately aligning closely with the federal assessment once it was released.
Beyond this planning, DHSS programs implemented several innovative surveillance and preparedness strategies to support the Kansas City region during the influx of visitors.
Emergency Coordination
The Office of Emergency Coordination launched new ESRI tools — such as a World Cup Hub and daily situation update dashboards — and coordinated daily departmentwide situational reports, including weekends and non‑match days. OEC closely monitored hospital capacity, convened the Medical Incident Coordination Team, and collaborated with partners including SEMA and MARC.
Syndromic Surveillance (ESSENCE)
ESSENCE enhanced monitoring of emergency department trends by:
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- Requesting WC‑related visit tagging
- Creating hourly baselines and automated alerts for 14 syndromes
- Building an internal dashboard shared with LPHAs
- Conducting intensified monitoring on game days
This work identified trends such as heat‑related illness, respiratory spikes tied to poor air quality, and fireworks injuries, plus several reportable cases that were quickly routed for investigation.
Wastewater Surveillance
Missouri nearly doubled its wastewater pathogen targets in the KC region, adding Enterovirus, Hepatitis A, Norovirus and MERS. The program built an internal Tableau dashboard and initiated novel drug monitoring, identifying the synthetic opioid Brorphine — information shared with emergency response partners. The approach demonstrated the strong value of wastewater surveillance during major international events.
Reportable Disease Surveillance
The Bureau of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention worked with partners to enhance ShowMe WorldCare, enabling rapid identification and follow‑up of out‑of‑state and international cases — an entirely new capability for Missouri. Daily review of KC‑area conditions helped flag and investigate several cases and clusters. No major outbreaks were linked to World Cup activities, and new tools can be used again for large future events.
Environmental Public Health
BEHS provided months of hands‑on support to LPHAs and proactively communicated with lodging and food establishments statewide to ensure readiness.
Biowatch
SPHL oversaw a special BioWatch deployment in KC, adding courier routes and rapid testing capacity to support bioterrorism surveillance.
NEWS
► 7/23/2026: Research suggests cannabis suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is believed to play a critical role in memory consolidation, emotional regulation and learning. (link)
► 7/22/2026: A man sues OpenAI for unlicensed practice of medicine claiming it offered inaccurate medical advice that led him to delay care for a pulmonary embolism. (link)
► 7/22/2026: Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian has spent the last three years improving food served in U.S. hospitals, following the concept that "food is medicine." (link)
► 7/22/2026: Unique Pharmaceutical laboratories has voluntarily recalled a generic version of the brand-name allergy medication Zyrtec due to potential cross-contamination with a heartburn drug. (link)
► 7/21/2026: CDC reports receiving reports of more than 4,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 41 states since May 1, 2026 and is aware of more than 7,4000 other cases not yet lab-confirmed. Not all cases are linked. (link)
► 7/21/2026: US measles case count now higher than last year's total at 2,295. This is the highest number of cases in 35 years. (link)
► 7/20/2026: Taylor Fresh Farms voluntarily recalls all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, despite the FDA reporting a false positive test result that linked the lettuce to the multi-state Cyclospora outbreak. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 7/23/2026: DHSS expects the number of cyclosporiasis cases In Missouri to continue rising as more reports are received, some may be related to international travel. Kansas City Star (link)
► 7/23/2026: Fort Hood in Texas plans to contract with DHSS to provide State required newborn testing and screening services. HigherGov.com (link)
► 7/21/2026: A lawsuit filed by former residents alleges abuse and assault while housed at Heartland Behavioral Helath Services in Nevada, Missouri. KCUR (link)
► 7/20/2026: DHSS reports 216 cases of cyclosporiasis in Missouri as of this week. KY3 (link)
► 7/20/2026: Missouri DSS awards more than $732,000 through the Rural Health Transformation Program to increase the number of Doulas and perinatal community health workers in Missouri. KBSI23 (link)
RESOURCES
► What to Know About the Ongoing Cyclosporiasis Outbreak, communication resources from Public Health Communications Collaborative
► Advancing Public Health Communication: This pre-recorded session for presentation at NACCHO 360 describes cross-sector collaboration and cutting edge tools used to advance public health communication across North Carolina. Provided by Arclet.
► Flexible Funding Toolkit: Utilizing Flexible Funding Strategies in Public Health, from ASTHO
► Addressing ACES, Suicide and Mental Health: This Action Guide for addressing the intersection of ACEs, suicide, overdose and mental health concerns comes from ASTHO. As conveners, strategists, and coordinators across sectors, public health agencies play a critical role in addressing the intersection of these important public health issues. This suite of resources will support this critical work.
► Data Modernization Communications Toolkit: In this podcast, Sarah Shaw, senior informatics analyst at the Public Health Informatics Institute, discusses a new Data Modernization Communications Toolkit designed to help public health professionals explain complex initiatives in ways that resonate with colleagues, leaders, and communities.
OPPORTUNITIES
► Grant Opportunties: Community Foundation of the Ozarks has opened a host of grant funding opportunities across Missouri.
► Leading Change Cohort: Registration for ASTHO's third Leading Change cohort is officially open. This two-day, in-person experience is designed for public health professionals in clinical and non-clinical roles. Gain practical tools to navigate uncertainty, build resilient teams, and apply change leadership strategies. Turn ideas into action and create a tailored action plan to drive innovative progress at your agency. A registration fee applies. The deadline to apply is Sept. 4. Secure your spot today.
► Annual Joint Public Health Conference: Registration is open for the Sep 15 - 17 conference hosted by MPHA, DHSS, MPHI, and MICH. (agenda) (register)
► Missouri Rural Health Conference: Registration is open for the Sep 9 – 10 conference hosted by The Missouri Rural Health Association and the Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics. (agenda) (register)
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► Jul 27, 1:00 pm, Community Power in Practice, hosted by deBeaumont. Community power building is essential to effective public health practice. This is especially true in rural communities, where relationships, trust, local leadership, and shared problem-solving are often central to how change happens. Learn how public health professionals can build on the strengths already present in rural communities, partner more authentically with residents and community-based organizations, and support the conditions that allow communities to shape decisions affecting their health and well-being. Register
► Jul 28, 2:00 pm, Defending Our Progress Against Preventable Deaths - Pain in the Nation 2026: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths. Join Trust for America's Health (TFAH) for a congressional briefing and national webinar. A panel of public health leaders, including ASTHO Member Sameer Vohra (SHO-IL), will discuss findings from TFAH’s Pain in the Nation 2026 report. The panel will explore the report's findings, discuss recent trends in alcohol-, drug-, and suicide-related deaths, and examine the policies and investments needed to sustain progress. Register
► Jul 29, Overdose Fatality Review Summit, hosted by DHSS Overdose Data to Action in States team and Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) partners. On site training in Jefferson City for up to 100 Missouri LPHA staff and local partners (coroners/medical examiners, public safety, EMS, hospital ER, behavioral health) to increase the number of local overdose fatality review (OFR) boards in Missouri. Learn what an OFR is and how it can be used to guide overdose prevention and response within a community. Identify local partnerships to establish and conduct OFRs, understand overdose data systems and how to use the data to effectively guide the OFR process, understand how to prioritize and select cases for review, and see how an OFR operates. Register by June 30.
► Aug 4 – 5: New Administrator Orientation, hosted by DHSS, in Jefferson City.
► Aug 5 – 6: Seasoned Administrator / All In Meeting, hosted by DHSS, in Jefferson City.
► Sep 1 – 2, Fall Preparedness Summit, in Jefferson City, hosted by DHSS’ Office of Emergency Coordination with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program and the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). This will replace the traditional Fall Planners Meeting. Location, detailed agenda, and session times are being finalized, but attendees can expect engaging sessions on emergency preparedness and networking opportunities with partners across the state. Additional details, including a registration link, will be shared closer to the date.
► Sep 9 – 10, Missouri Rural Health Conference, hosted by Missouri Rural Health Association will be held at Camden on the Lake, in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Register
► Sep 15 - 17, Annual Joint Public Health Conference. Registration is now open for the annual Joint Public Health Conference, hosted by MPHA, DHSS, MPHI, and MICH. This year's conference features a variety of presentations under the theme "Bridging Communities: Connecting Missouri for Better Health." The conference takes place September 15 - 17 at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. Register
► Sep 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Perinatal Hepatitis B Case Management Using ShowMe WorldCare, hosted by the Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood. Register. Learn to:
- Navigate PHB case management workflows in SMWC
Interpret Hepatitis B laboratory results
Track required tasks and timelines for pregnant women and infants
Apply updated LPHA responsibilities related to pregnancy screening and follow-up
Support timely vaccination and post-vaccine serology testing
► Dec 8 – 10, 2026 Public Health Law Virtual Summit, hosted by The Network for Public Health Law. This three-day virtual event explores the essential role of law and policy in public health data modernization. Under the theme "Convening, Aligning and Building Trust to Transform Communities," sessions will cover legal frameworks for data exchange, confidentiality protections, and the role of law in supporting justice, community power, and AI in data technology. $460 for nonprofit and governmental organizations. Register
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