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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
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 continues to investigate laboratory reports of Cyclosporiasis and expects to be formally added to the list of states affected by the national outbreak soon. As many of you know, each laboratory report of Cyclosporiasis is reviewed before they are added to the case count – this takes time and effort to investigate. It takes additional time to provide that data to the CDC so they can determine whether enough of our cases are tied epidemiologically to the current suspected cause of lettuce from Taylor Farms. DHSS is working with CDC on the ability to provide a bulk upload of case data so that Missouri cases can be incorporated in the national data more efficiently. CDC is also evaluating national data to determine if additional sources should be recalled.
Missouri's public-facing dashboard of communicable disease data shows 593 active Cyclosporiasis cases as of July 26, 2026. This data is updated every Sunday, and another significant increase is expected this week as cases are investigated and confirmed.
DHSS is encouraged by successful recall effectiveness checks of Taylor Farms lettuce and thank all LPHAs for their hard work to accomplish those. The recall effectiveness checks found no recalled product in grocery stores or restaurants. DHSS is continuing to group cases into outbreak clusters for potential investigation as we review interview data.
The Missouri Rapid Response Team (MRRT) within the DHSS Office of Emergency Coordination continues to be activated as the reported Cyclospora outbreak continues.
Here’s a picture of the differing data sets:
1) DHSS – All Cyclosporiasis cases reported by Missouri
- Lab confirmed & probable cases.
- Individuals are symptomatic.
- These cases have been investigated and include cases that involve foreign travel, which are not included in CDC data.
- These cases also include domestically-acquired cases, which are included in CDC data.
- Missouri’s 2026 total is 593. (link)
2) CDC – All domestically-acquired Cyclosporiasis cases; 45 states reporting domestically-acquired cases. (link)
3) CDC – All domestically-acquired Cyclosporiasis cases related to outbreak
- CDC Link
- FDA Link
- 9 states reporting domestically-acquired cases tied to the outbreak.
- Missouri is not officially linked at this time, but we expect to be after CDC reviews submitted data.
- Cyclosporiasis cases confirmed by laboratory testing that also have epidemiological links to the national outbreak (consumed Taylor Farms lettuce for example).
► DHSS Website
Please provide feedback on the revised DHSS website using the feedback survey link at the top of each page on the website.
► ShowMe WorldCare
ShowMe WorldCare has been operating successfully for approximately 8 months, so EnvSurv and WebSurv will be decommissioned on July 31, 2026. ITSD will take the applications offline on that date and within a couple of weeks after that will remove them from the servers. All data deemed necessary for migration by the programs that manage the various conditions have been moved to ShowMe WorldCare. Copies of the entire WebSurv and EnvSurv datasets have been placed in long-term storage. These datasets are available to DHSS staff to run queries in case there is a critical need for data that was not migrated.
► NAO/All In Meeting
The New Administrator Orientation and All In Meetings will be held in Jefferson City next week (Aug 4 – 6). The agendas for each meeting are below. Please be sure to cancel your hotel reservation if you end up not being able to attend.
► MCH Contract Kick-Off Meetings
Save the date! FFY2027 kick off meetings for the MCH Services Contract will be held in October from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on each of the following dates and locations:
- Oct 1: Grundy County Health Dept Annex, 1307 E 17th St, Trenton
- Oct 7: Madison County Health Dept., 105 Armory St, Fredericktown
- Oct 19: State Fair Community College Thompson Conference Room, 3201 W 16th St, Sedalia
- Oct 22: Webster County Health Unit, (location TBD), Marshfield
RHTP Updates:
► Infrastructure Investments: DSS has released Invitation for Bid (IFB) #DSS26015 for the ToRCH Care Smart Growth and Service Line Modification (Horizon 2) Program to support strategic, one-time infrastructure investments that modernize, renovate, reconfigure, equip, or otherwise adapt existing rural healthcare facilities to expand access to essential healthcare services. Eligible applicants include Missouri hospitals and health centers that expand rural residents’ access to healthcare. Under the ToRCH Care definition, eligible health centers may include Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), behavioral health clinics, birthing centers, primary care centers, urgent care centers, and other rural healthcare access points, when aligned with approved service lines. Applications are due Aug 28. Learn more
► Mobile Health: Missouri is expanding Mobile Integrated Healthcare & Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) through a new partnership between DSS, DHSS, and the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA). This approximately $6.5 million Rural Health Transformation Program investment will strengthen access to coordinated, preventive, and emergency care by connecting EMS agencies with healthcare providers to deliver more services directly in rural communities. Funding is now available for eligible rural Missouri EMS agencies to establish or expand MIH-CP programs. Review eligibility and submit an application through the MEMSA Rural Health Transformation Funding Portal
NEWS
► 7/29/2026: More than 18,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in 45 states, according to CDC data this week. (link)
► 7/29/2026: COVID rage reignites during charged Congressional hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci this week. (link)
► 7/29/2026: A first-of-its-kind U.S. study by CDC suggests invasive mold infections may be an underappreciated and potentially deadly threat. (link)
► 7/29/2026: New studies show women are more likely to conduct screening for HPV if they can do their own sample collection rather than having a clinician collect the sample. (link)
► 7/28/2026: American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis, calling for immediate blood donations. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 7/29/2026: Taney County Health Department is working to determine community needs related to chronic disease and substance use under the Building Communities for Better Health program. KSMU (link)
► 7/29/2026: Missouri executes prisoners at higher rate than the national average since the death penalty’s return 50 years ago. The Marshall Project (link)
► 7/28/2026: Mosquitoes in Jefferson County and St. Louis County test positive for West Nile Virus. KMOV (link)
RESOURCES
► Vaccination Communication Resources: Utilize campaign materials and messages from Vaccinate Your Family, a WHO-approved website focused on vaccine safety and education for families. (link)
► Vaccination Communication Resources: The Vaccine Resource Hub has free, ready-to-use content that responds to questions, concerns, and false claims. Check out these popular resources:
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Factsheet explaining the rise in measles cases and actions community members can take now
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Poster on the power of the MMR vaccine to stop measles (part of a series of comic book-inspired posters for several topics)
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Graphic about why kids need so many vaccines, including the MMR vaccine
► Free Training: If you haven’t already heard, the Infodemiology Training Program got a refresh! Our free course gives you the tools to apply the insights from this newsletter to your daily work. Updates include new communication scenarios, tips for building a monitoring system, and a look at AI’s impact on the information environment.
Created in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, the ITP helps you match your communications and activities to what communities need most. And if you have a Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, you can also earn up to 6 recertification credits.
If you’ve never taken the course, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive overview of infodemiology, media monitoring, analysis and reporting, and communications. If you’re already familiar with the curriculum, you’ll appreciate the timely examples that make infodemiology more approachable. Sign up
► AI with Intention: Tools and Judgment for Public Health Communicators. This on-demand course from Public Health Communications Collaborative helps participants build the knowledge, ethical grounding, and practical skills needed to integrate AI into communication workflows in ways that strengthen quality, equity, and public trust. Enroll
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► 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 25, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 4th Annual Summit: Building Bridges of Care: Recovery, Resilience, and Family Empowerment, hosted by the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City. The Summit will feature engaging panel discussions, networking opportunities, resource tables, and the opportunity to learn from mothers with lived experience who are helping shape systems of care across Missouri. Space is limited to 175 attendees, and registration will close on Monday, September 14, 2026, or when capacity is reached. 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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