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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► John Fieno's Mathematical Modelling Training - Session 1 recording and materials in Training section on Hub home page
► Summer food sites updated on BEHS page
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost)
DHSS UPDATES
► Cyclosporiasis Update
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 1,577 active Cyclosporiasis cases as of Aug. 9, 2026. This data is updated every Sunday.
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.
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 1,577. (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.
2) CDC – All domestically-acquired Cyclosporiasis cases; 47 states reporting domestically-acquired cases. 740 cases, 2 deaths. (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. Also announced on Sunday, was an additional recall that impacts stores in Missouri including Walmart and Kroger. Missouri has 7 cases as part of this outbreak.
► 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. The current advisory applies only between the Leadwood access (river mile 7.8 in the linked MDC map) and Owl Creek Park (river mile 11.1) all in St. Francois County.
► Media Relations Training
In May, DHSS hosted an internal opportunity for media relations training with an external vendor and is now able to share that recording and opportunity with LPHAs. How to Meet the Press
Additional training on communication can be found on the Communications page on the Hub.
► Federal Executive Order Regarding Childhood Vaccines
DHSS is aware of President Trump’s recent executive order regarding childhood vaccine schedules. At this time:
- There is no change in federal or Missouri vaccination law. The Executive Order does not directly alter federal childhood or adolescent immunization schedules, and Missouri has made no changes to state vaccination requirements.
- There is no new or evolving scientific evidence that changes current guidance.
The EO references an HHS assessment, but no new scientific findings have been provided to states, and current CDC clinical evidence remains unchanged.
- Missouri’s vaccination recommendations remain unchanged. Childcare facility and school vaccination requirements will not change at this time.
- Vaccine availability remains the same. All routinely recommended childhood vaccines—including MMR—remain fully available. No new isolated MMR products are available.
- There are no changes to vaccine insurance coverage in Missouri.
Families should expect coverage rules to remain consistent.
- Families are encouraged to speak with their pediatrician or healthcare provider.
Medical professionals are best positioned to guide parents and caregivers based on each child’s needs.
- DHSS will continue to monitor all federal actions and scientific assessments.
We will evaluate any new information we receive and communicate promptly should changes become necessary.
Media training – refer back to the Lunch and Learn recordings on the Communications page of Hub.
► DHSS Warehouse/Free Resources
Reminder: With the launch of the new website, DHSS has moved literature ordering into one area so LPHAs and WIC partners no longer have to visit separate links to order from individual programs. There’s no PDF to fill out. No fax machines involved. No emails to send. Just download, or add prints to your cart and order.
► BEHRL (formerly BEHS) Training Feedback
Last chance to complete the Bureau of Environmental Health Regulation and Licensure (formerly Bureau of Environmental Health Services) survey of stakeholders who attended the 2026 Training Academy. The survey closes August 14.
NEWS
► 8/13/2026: The OpenAI Foundation invested $100 million in a new public health initiative with the Common Health Coalition to help states and local jurisdictions close discovery-to-delivery gaps, beginning with hepatitis C. (link)
► 8/12/2026: Cases of cyclosporiasis appear to have slowed down at over 24,000, including 740 hospitalizations. (link)
► 8/12/2026: The FDA assures Americans that fresh produce is safe to eat, trying to ease concerns about food supply safety after the cyclosporiasis outbreak. (link)
► 8/12/2026: The DR Congo Ebola outbreak is on track to be largest in history, outpacing the 2014 – 2016 West African outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people. (link)
► 8/12/2026: The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) release a joint statement pushing back on President Trump’s recent Executive Order on childhood vaccines. (link)
► 8/6/2026: ASTHO launches the US Disease Tracker, a new website that will track the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases across the U.S. and offer reliable and visual information about infectious disease trends. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 8/13/2026: The Better Business Bureau warns of free gas and grocery voucher scams targeting Missouri consumers. KCUR (link)
RESOURCES
► Communicating the Social Implications of AI: A Framing Toolkit. This toolkit from the Public Health Communications Collaborative translates research-based framing insights into practical guidance you can use in messaging, campaigns, media, policy advocacy, and movement communications. This framing helps people recognize harm as systemic rather than accidental, see regulation as necessary and legitimate, and imagine how AI could be designed and governed for public benefit. Toolkit
► Maternity Care Report: A new report from the March of Dimes says that 5.8 million women currently live in counties without full access to maternity care.
► Understanding the Childhood Immunization Schedule is a new communication tool from Public Health Communications Collaborative that aims to provide clear answers to some of the most common questions parents are asking. It also offers social media content you can share about the value of childhood immunizations.
► Rethinking Efficiency in Public Health. In a new American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) article, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Susan Kansagra explores how public health systems can achieve greater efficiency through clear coordination among local, state, territorial, and federal partners. Kansagra highlights the importance of shared services, foundational infrastructure investments, and emerging tools like artificial intelligence to strengthen public health capacity and improve health outcomes. (link)
► Harms of Screen Use: The US Surgeon General has released a toolkit cautioning against the harms of screen time on digital devices and providing action steps for communities to take to encourage families to live real life instead.
OPPORTUNITIES
► Governmental Public Health Summit: Early Registration is now open for the 2026 Governmental Public Health Summit (GPHS), taking place December 7-9, 2026, at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Register by August 31 to lock in the Early Registration rate of $125. Beginning September 1, registration increases to $150. This year's theme, People-Powered Public Health, celebrates the people, partnerships, and innovative ideas strengthening public health across Missouri. Join public health professionals and partners from across the state for three days of inspiring keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Register
DID YOU KNOW?
A hot dog, horseshoe crab and spittoon all have something in common? Believe it or not, these three items all had a part in shaping public health. Learn how.
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► 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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