• A large Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak continues in DRC and Uganda, with 2,073 confirmed cases and 796 deaths. No US cases linked to this outbreak; risk to the public remains low. CDC has activated enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and preparedness measures; >4,000 travelers have been screened with no high-risk contacts identified.
Clinical actions:
• Assess recent travel to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.
• Immediately isolate and report any suspected Ebola cases.
• Follow established Ebola infection-control protocols.
Additional Resources
CDPH Ebola Information for Health Professionals
CDC Clinical Guidance for Ebola Disease | Ebola | CDC What Clinicians Should Know about Ebola Bundibugyo Virus | COCA | CDC
NWS has been detected in animals in Texas and New Mexico; no human or animal cases have been reported in California. See CDPH NWS situation and USDA NWS situation.
• Be alert for rapidly worsening or foul-smelling wounds, visible larvae, or reports of movement within a wound.
• Ask about recent travel to Mexico, Central/South America, or affected US states.
• If NWS is suspected, immediately contact Orange County Public Health: (714) 834-8180
• Specimen handling: Kill and preserve larvae/eggs in 70% ethanol (preferred) or ≥70% isopropyl alcohol before submission.
FIFA World Cup Public Health Update
The FIFA World Cup, launched June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to draw 6.5 million fans to 16 host cities and concludes July 19. The last game in our area occurred July 10. Large gatherings increased risks for infectious diseases including influenza, measles, norovirus, and dengue, as well as non-communicable concerns such as heat illness and substance use. Public health agencies monitored these “diseases of crowds” through syndromic surveillance, wastewater data, communicable disease reporting, and heat and air-quality indicators. Clinicians were advised to remain vigilant for seasonal and travel-related infections throughout the tournament. No public health signals were detected during our monitoring.
CD HEALTH ALERT: FIFA World Cup and Summer Mass Gatherings
CDC Safety for Soccer Fans | CDC
As Orange County settles into peak summer conditions, clinicians continue to play a vital role in anticipating and mitigating seasonal health risks. Higher temperatures, increased outdoor recreation, regional travel, and large seasonal events all contribute to a surge in preventable illnesses and injuries.
Heat Preparedness
Southern California’s heat waves remain a significant public health concern. Please continue emphasizing hydration, sun protection, and early recognition of heat-related symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, confusion, and muscle cramps. Vulnerable groups including older adults, infants, people with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers, and individuals without stable housing benefit greatly from proactive counseling and referrals to cooling resources. As temperatures climb, your early interventions help reduce avoidable emergency visits and severe outcomes.
Water Safety
With beaches, pools, and recreational water sites drawing large crowds, drowning prevention and waterborne illness awareness remain essential. Remind patients to follow lifeguard guidance, avoid swimming alone, supervise children closely, and respect posted water-quality advisories. Seasonal increases in gastrointestinal and skin infections linked to recreational water use underscore the importance of discussing safe swimming habits and prompt care for symptoms following water exposure.
Wildfire Awareness
Although wildfire activity varies year to year, warm, dry summer conditions continually elevate risk throughout Southern California. Smoke events pose particular dangers for individuals with respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and those who work outdoors. Clinicians can support preparedness by reinforcing the importance of staying updated on air-quality alerts, having access to clean indoor air spaces, using properly fitted masks during smoke events when appropriate, and maintaining adequate supplies of medications for chronic conditions. Even short-term exposure can exacerbate underlying illnesses, so early recognition and patient education remain key.
Be prepared – sign up on ReadyOC and AlertOC for alerts related to emergencies. Find out more about both systems at County of Orange Emergency Alert Systems.
Disaster readiness and current emergencies references: listoscalifornia.org
Extreme Heat: heatreadyca.com
Fires: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents (Map of active wildfires)
Power Outages: FlexAlert.org (for alerts on anticipated shortage of energy supply)
Storm Season Safety: California Office of Emergency Services (OES)
Local Air Quality: South Coast AQMD - South Coast AQMD App
Local Weather: www.weather.gov
List of Cooling Centers throughout Orange County: Cooling Centers | Orange County
OBSERVANCE TOPICS
National Immunization Awareness Month in August
Due to ongoing measles cases noted around the globe as well as the rise of other vaccine preventable diseases, and many factors leading to vaccine disinformation and hesitancy, it is even more important now to sharpen your skills on communicating with patients and the community to consider getting vaccinated. Back-to-school season is a great time to encourage families to catch up on vaccines for the entire family.
1. PREPARE
Expect and prepare for questions about California vaccine requirements. Encourage families and patients to plan early for back-to-school check-ups.
• Get comfortable with discussions about vaccines with parents and families by using resources like: American Academy of Pediatrics: Immunization Discussion Guides
• The Public Health for All Californians Together (PHACT) Coalition prepared Q&A guides for parents and health care providers that answer commonly asked questions.
2. LISTEN
Acknowledge the questions and concerns of your patients and community members, and pivot toward clear explanations about how vaccines support healthy school communities.
• Trusted Health Messengers: Get curious about what your community needs, consider preferred languages and cultural norms, and acknowledge the practical barriers families face in accessing vaccines.
• Health Care Providers: Ask what questions your patients have and promote the many important benefits of vaccines at all levels in your health care delivery team.
3. CONNECT
Explain the benefits of childhood vaccines and how widespread immunization makes it harder for diseases to spread in shared spaces like schools.
• Do more of this: Focus on how vaccines help prepare children’s immune systems, support healthy development, keep kids learning and thriving, and help school communities stay healthy.
• Use terms like ‘vaccines’ and ‘school-based requirements.’
• Avoid: Debunking myths, using terms like ‘shot’ or ‘mandate,’ framing vaccines primarily as individual protection from diseases, and using militarized language like ‘vaccines fight disease.’
4. INFORM
Share the basics of school vaccine requirements in California.
• California’s school vaccine requirements are unchanged.
• All CDPH-recommended vaccines are covered by insurance with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs to patients. Kids without insurance can receive required vaccines at no cost from their pediatrician, primary care doctor, or community clinic.
• Find vaccine locations at My Turn - California Vaccine Scheduling & Information Site. Kids with PPO insurance that are three and older can get vaccinated at most pharmacies. Call ahead to ensure they have the vaccines you need.
• Encourage families and patients to make well-child appointments for all their children, which may include school required vaccines, developmental screenings, and growth checks.
OBSERVANCE TOPICS
National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
August is National Breastfeeding Month and this year's theme is RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment. As a clinician and trusted health adviser, you play a significant role in supporting the family's breastfeeding journey and empowering parents to be able to make the most informed choices for their and their baby's health. Although pediatricians, family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists are specifically dedicated to the care of mothers and/or infants, any clinician that is caring for people who are or may be interested in breastfeeding or for infants, should be familiar with the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child and how to support the family.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months. Around 6 months of age, appropriate complementary foods should be introduced with continued breastfeeding as long as desired by the parent and baby, for 2 years or beyond.
In Orange County, 93% of infants born in the hospital in 2024 received any breast milk in the first few days of life prior to hospital discharge and 66% were exclusively receiving breast milk. After leaving the hospital, these numbers drop precipitously, with any breastfeeding rates dropping to 75% by 3 months postpartum and exclusive breastfeeding rates even lower at only 26% by 3 months postpartum.
Breastfeeding promotion and support by clinicians should start prenatally and continue through the postpartum period. Clinicians can promote breastfeeding and support families by:
• Educating yourself about breastfeeding and how to care for breastfeeding families in your practice.
• Assisting families in making informed decisions about infant feeding by proactively discussing the benefits of breastfeeding.
• Referring MediCal eligible families to apply for WIC and seek WIC breastfeeding support services (call 1 (888) YOUR WIC or 1 (888) 968-7942).
• Knowing how to assess adequacy of breastfeeding and manage common breastfeeding issues.
• Knowing the local resources available to you and your patients.
• Providing support and guidance to individuals who wish to return to work or school while breastfeeding.
• Establishing, providing, and maintaining a breastfeeding-friendly clinic environment. (See 9 Steps to Breastfeeding-Friendly Clinics)
Resources:
• EveryParentOC: Orange County Provider Breastfeeding Resources
• AAP: Breastfeeding Overview
• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG): The Physician’s Role in Human Milk Feeding
• For Patients: Orange County Community Breastfeeding Resources
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is partnering with the community on a number of upcoming National Breastfeeding Month events. Call (714) 347-4512 for more information.
Product Alerts /Recalls
Outbreak of Infant Botulism Linked to Nara Organics Infant Formula
The CDPH, the CDC, the FDA, and multiple states are investigating a multi-state outbreak of infant botulism associated with Nara Organics
Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula powdered. As of July 6, 2026, four (4) infants with laboratory confirmed infant botulism and recent exposure to Nara Organics powdered infant formula have been identified from California (2), Pennsylvania, and Washington. The last illness onset date so far is May 31, 2026. No cases have been reported among Orange County residents.
The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall on June 13, 2026, for all lots of Nara Organics infant formula nationwide which was sold online and at Target retail stores between July 2025 and June 2026.
Clinicians should:
• Call the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP) at (510) 231-7600 with any suspect infant botulism patients. Consultation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Treat all suspected infant botulism cases with BabyBIG® as soon as possible. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation. Clinical consultation with IBTPP is required to obtain BabyBIG®.
• Notify the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180. Infant botulism is a reportable disease.
For more information:
CDC Outbreaks Infant Formula June 2026 and FDA Outbreaks Infant Botulism Powdered Infant Formula June 2026.
Product Alerts /Recalls
Copper Cup in Space King No Girls Allowed Relic Lunch Boxes Recalled Due to Lead Levels
On July 16, 2026, Warren James recalled the copper cups found in Flashgitz-branded Space King No Girls Allowed Relic Lunch Boxes due to high lead levels. For more information: CPSC Recalls 2026 - Warren James Recalls the Copper Cup Found in Flashgitz-Relic Lunch Boxes
This product was sold online at Flashgitz shop from September 2025 through October 2025 and is a retro style lunch box containing a limited-edition bundle of collectibles for fans of the web cartoon Space King. Only the copper cups are included in this recall.
Recommendations:
• Advise families to immediately stop using the recalled cups and dispose of them. Replacement cups are available by emailing customersupport@warrenjames.org or visiting Flashgitz Shop Recall for more information.
• Test children for lead if they came into contact with this product or consumed food or beverages that had contact with this product.
• Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at http://www.saferproducts.gov/
For additional information and resources, please visit OC CLPPP and California Department of Public Health websites or contact the OC CLPPP program at (714) 567-6220.
TRAINING & WEBINAR OPPORTUNITIES
General Webinars
July 16 at 6:30 pm: AAP-OC E-Bike Safety Today: Clinical and Community Approaches to Injury Prevention
July 23 at 12 pm: KFF Medicaid and the Road Ahead: Spending Cuts, Work Requirements and What’s Next for States, Providers and Families
July 23 at 12 pm: DHCS What’s New in STIs: Testing, Treatment, and Prevention Updates
July 24 at 9 am: CDPH Immunization Updates for Providers Webinar
July 28 at 8 am: National Emerging Special Pathogens Training And Education Center – Ebola Town Hall: Current Outbreak Updates and Healthcare Preparedness Considerations Webinar Registration – Zoom
September 24 at 3 pm AltaMed PACE - Santa Ana Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers Coffee Connections: Shaping the Future of Aging & Cognitive Health: Aligning Care, Community, and Partnerships
From protecting community health to supporting individuals and families every day, our teams at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) work behind the scenes and on the front lines to make Orange County healthier and stronger. Learn more from HCA Director Veronica Kelley, DSW, LCSW in this video: About the OC Health Care Agency.
Provider Advisory List
Clinicians, receive immediate notification of communicable disease related alerts. Sign up at this link: Provider Advisory Email Advisory.
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