|
View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► New MO FPHS page added with training links, workbooks, curriculum, and resources
► Summer food sites updated on BEHS page
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
► New Administrator / All In Meeting
Slide decks from presentations will be posted soon on the CLPHS page on the Hub
► DHSS Website
As you explore the newly revised DHSS website, please continue to provide your feedback using the feedback survey link at the top of the homepage
► Cyclosporiasis
DHSS continues to investigate laboratory reports of Cyclosporiasis and has formally been added to the list of states affected by the national outbreak as of Aug. 5. 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. CDC is also evaluating national data to determine if additional sources should be recalled.
Missouri's public-facing dashboard of communicable disease data shows 1,095 active Cyclosporiasis cases as of Aug. 2, 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 1,095. (link)
- While DHSS is not releasing county-level data at this time, individual counties are welcome to release their own data publicly if they choose.
- New webpage on Health.mo.gov focused on Cyclosporiasis
2) CDC – All domestically-acquired Cyclosporiasis cases; 47 states reporting domestically-acquired cases. (link)
3) CDC – All domestically-acquired Cyclosporiasis cases related to outbreak
- CDC Link
- FDA Link
- 15 states, including Missouri, reporting domestically-acquired cases tied to the outbreak.
- Cyclosporiasis cases confirmed by laboratory testing that also have epidemiological links to the national outbreak (consumed Taylor Farms lettuce, for example).
► Salmonella Outbreak
CDC and public health officials in several states, including Missouri, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to jalapeño peppers. The investigation was initiated following hundreds of reported illnesses across the country. Missouri was one of 27 states where laboratory surveillance and whole genome sequencing confirmed matching cases of the outbreak strain. Public health officials traced the source of contamination back to fresh jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed nationwide by Coast Citrus Distributors. The distributor supplied wholesale networks and Mexican-style quick-service restaurant chains like Chipotle and Qdoba operating in affected states like Missouri. FDA is working to determine if jalapenos went to grocery stores. If affected jalapeño peppers were also available at stores, FDA may announce additional recalls on their recalls page.
► Big River E. coli Concerns
DHSS is advising the Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Department of Conservation on public health protocols as they address elevated e. coli levels near a failing wastewater treatment facility in Leadwood, Missouri. Tactics discussed include signage to discourage swimming in the area, increased testing frequency and more.
► Environmental Training
The Bureau of Environmental Health Regulation and Licensure (formerly Bureau of Environmental Health Services) is conducting a survey of stakeholders who attended the 2026 Training Academy. Your input helps ensure our training remains relevant and supports your work. The survey is on the Survey Monkey platform and is anonymous. However, if you have more input than there is space for on the published survey, you may email karen.bena@health.mo.gov. Please use the subject line "Survey Response."
► MCH Contract Kick-Off Meetings
Save the date for the FFY2027 kick off meetings for the MCH Services Contract from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on each of the following dates:
- 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
NEWS
► 8/5/2026: Erica Schwartz is confirmed by Senate vote this week as the Director of the CDC after the position has remained vacant for nearly a year. (link)
► 8/5/2026: FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine for use on adults age 50 and over. The vaccine from Moderna was found to be about 27% more effective than a standard flu shot during trials. (link)
► 8/5/2026: CIDRAP and Unbiased Science release a new tool called “What’s the Risk?” that helps users compare the risk of vaccines against illness. (link)
► 8/5/2026: Dr. Fauci continues to take heat for his recent responses to questions posed during a Senate committee hearing on his actions during the COVID pandemic. A Senate committee votes today on whether to hold him in contempt of Congress. (link)
► 8/5/2026: CDC reports 3,437 cases of Candida auris (C. auris) have been identified in 27 states so far this year, about 1,000 fewer cases than last year at the same time. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 8/5/2026: Missouri health officials confirm the state is now included in a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to lettuce grown in central Mexico, even though the CDC has not publicly announced the change. St. Louis Public Radio (link)
► 8/5/2026: DHSS reports more than 1000 cases of Cyclosporiasis as of August 2. KSDK (link)
► 8/4/2026: US News and World Report lists 12 Missouri hospitals as among the best regional hospitals in its new 2026 – 2027 report. US News and World Report (link)
► 8/2/2026: Missouri has released preliminary 2027 health insurance rates, with public comments open through Aug. 31 and final rates expected by Oct. 31. Daily Journal (link)
RESOURCES
► Good Health is Good Governance roadmap: A nonpartisan commission of leaders in health, policy, medicine, and business released a roadmap in mid-July to empower local health departments and elected officials to shore up public health in their communities. (link)
► Talking about back-to-school vaccinations: To make sense of vaccine hesitancy and counter misinformation, it helps to understand deep, widespread patterns in public thinking. By changing how we talk about vaccines to respond to public mindsets, advocates, storytellers, and healthcare professionals can help people see vaccination as one way we care for each other. (link)
OPPORTUNITIES
► Leading Change Workshop: Join ASTHO for this in-person workshop opportunity in Arlington October 6 – 7, 2026. The session is designed to help members of the public health workforce build capacity and successfully respond to change. attendees will uncover essential strategies to effectively oversee change initiatives within public health organizations. Discover applicable skills to navigate change and uncertainty: as an individual, as part of a team, and within a larger organization. This event is designed for mid- to senior-level executives and public health partners (clinical and non-clinical) who are responsible for driving change within health departments (local, regional, or state). The workshop will provide leaders with instruction and resources to create change initiatives at their own agencies, supporting real-world advancements in 2026 and beyond. A registration fee applies. Register by September 4.
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.
► Aug 13, 9:30 am, BEHRL Monthly Webinar Series: Private Drinking Water, hosted by DHSS. See the Hub Calendar for connection information.
► 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
|
