LPHA INFO HUB

DHSS Updates​

► MCH FFY2027 Kick Off Meetings  

Kick-off meetings for the FFY2027 MCH Service Contract will take place around Missouri October 1 - 22. See the Hub Calendar for details.

► 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 1,095 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.

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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.

​​► DHSS Website  

Please provide feedback on the new DHSS website using the feedback survey link at the top of each page.

► Environmental Training Survey

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."