FOR ORANGE COUNTY
CLINICIANS
MAY 15, 2026
May - Focus on Mental Health and Preparedness
REGINA CHINSIO-KWONG,
As warmer weather arrives and more Orange County residents head outdoors for walking, biking, hiking, and increasingly riding e-bikes, May offers an important reminder of the vital role that injury prevention and mental wellness play in community health. This month brings together Mental Health Awareness Month guided by our county theme Hope, Heal, Thrive along with National Trauma Injury Prevention Month and Stop the Bleed Month.
Mental health is foundational to overall well-being, and clinicians play a key role in helping residents recognize stress, seek support early, and build resilience. Encouraging patients to prioritize mental wellness through connection, physical activity, counseling, or moments of pause supports our broader commitment to helping every resident Hope, Heal, and Thrive OC Health Care Agency - About Us
At the same time, National Trauma Injury Awareness Month highlights that injuries remain one of the most significant and preventable threats to health nationwide. More than 275,000 people in the US die from injuries each year one every three minutes and injuries remain the leading cause of death for individuals ages 1 to 46. The financial burden is equally staggering, exceeding $4.2 trillion annually, with more than 64,000 deaths related to traumatic brain injury in 2020, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data.
In Orange County, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams see the daily impact of rising e-bike injuries and warm-weather trauma, reminding us how quickly a routine outing can turn into an emergency. Prevention, situational awareness, and preparedness remain essential. Your clinical guidance on helmet use, safe riding, fall prevention, and general safety practices helps reduce preventable harm before EMS arrives.
Trauma prevention and preparedness go hand in hand: the same awareness and lifesaving skills that reduce injuries also strengthen community resilience. This month encourages us not just to raise awareness, but to equip more residents with practical tools that improve safety and save lives.
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping Orange County healthy and safe as we enter the summer season.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and get Stop the Bleed trained.
PRESS RELEASES/NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
National/Federal Updates
• FDA released results from the largest-ever and most rigorous testing of chemical contaminants in infant formula.
• SAMHSA issued updated guidance prohibiting the use of federal grant funds for drug test strips, including fentanyl and xylazine test kits.
• CDC released a statement regarding confirmed hantavirus cases aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship, noting that the risk to the general American public is extremely low and that federal agencies are coordinating with partners to support affected US passengers.
• The federal government moved to reclassify medical marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
• CDC found that similar to clade II, clade I mpox transmission risk during commercial air travel appears to be low.
• CDC data showed that weekly emergency room visits for tick bites are higher than usual.
• CDC announcement of a Salmonella linked to backyard poultry has grown to 184 cases as of yesterday: Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry | CDC.
State Updates
• California’s CalFresh Healthy Living program officially ended following the elimination of federal SNAP-Ed funding under H.R. 1.
• CDPH and Attorney General Bonta filed legal action against a kratom manufacturer.
• CDPH is urging people at higher risk for mpox to get vaccinated as cases rise across the state, including a travel-related case of the more severe Clade I mpox in San Francisco.
• The Department of Industrial Relations published a fact sheet: Protecting Artificial-Stone Workers from Silicosis and Lung Cancer.
Reports
• CDPH’s Office of Health Equity released a new report highlighting successful climate and health initiatives led by local health jurisdictions across California.
• CDC reported that large tuberculosis outbreaks are increasingly concentrated among USborn people experiencing homelessness, substance use, and incarceration, with most transmission occurring within family or social networks rather than congregate settings.
• CDC reported a Salmonella outbreak linked to pet chameleons that sickened five children across four states (all aged 2 or younger) and advises against keeping reptiles as pets for children under 5.
• CDC recently published a report describing the first reported human H5N5 case worldwide, involving a Washington resident who became ill in October 2025 after exposure to backyard poultry. The patient ultimately died from the infection.
• CDC reported serologic evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in an asymptomatic veterinary professional in Los Angeles County, following exposure to an infected domestic cat, providing evidence of possible cat-to-human transmission with no RT-PCR–confirmed human cases among exposed contacts.
Andes Hantavirus Update: CDPH
Monitoring in California - May 13, 2026
CDPH continues to closely coordinate with federal and local public health officials following notification that California residents were aboard the Dutch cruise ship M/V Hondius, that experienced an outbreak of Andes hantavirus as well as one California resident who was on an international flight sitting near an ill returning cruise passenger. The overall risk to the public is extremely low.
California Expands WIC Food Choices to Support Healthier Families
- May 11, 2026
CDPH has updated California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food benefits statewide, which includes expanded access to healthy foods and greater flexibility and choice to WIC families. Changes include access to more whole grain options, additional yogurt flavors, additional plant-based milk alternatives, expanded access to canned fish, and the ability to purchase fresh herbs with the fruits and vegetables benefit. Families can use the California WIC App and the updated WIC Shopping Guide and visit the MyFamily website to make shopping easier.
Confirmed Measles Case
in Orange County – April 30, 2026
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) received confirmation of a measles case in an infant who had history of international travel.
Annual Quarantine
of Sport-Harvested Mussels Begins May 1 – April 24, 2026
CDPH has issued a quarantine of all recreationally harvested mussels along the entire California coast to protect the public against poisoning that can lead to serious illness, including coma and death. During the quarantine, mussels harvested along the California coast should not be consumed by humans. Learn more: ocbeachinfo.com/shellfish
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICABLE DISEASE UPDATES
Respiratory Virus Season
The influenza season is considered over, as activity has decreased to below epidemic levels. Most respiratory infections occurring now are coming from the common cold viruses.
CDC estimates that there have been at least 32 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 23,000 deaths from flu so far this season.
Based on levels of flu-related outpatient visits, hospitalizations and deaths, CDC categorized this flu season as moderate for adults, but severe for children. 155 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the 2025-2026 season. Ten of those deaths occurred among California residents, and Orange County had 1 influenza-associated pediatric death. Among US children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and with known vaccination status, approximately 85% of reported pediatric deaths this season occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza. Approximately 49% of US children received the flu shot during the 2024-2025 season, the most recent season where data is available.
The 2025-2026 influenza season in Orange County was less severe than last year. Influenza immunization has remained above pre-pandemic levels, but not as high as during the pandemic.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season started late and ended later than usual. Multiple studies have demonstrated ~70-80% lower risk of RSVassociated hospitalizations and severe outcomes among infants treated with nirsevimab during 2024-2025.
Measles
A case of measles has been confirmed recently in an infant who is an Orange County resident who recently returned from international travel. The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) is reaching out to identified contacts. There have been 3 cases of measles reported in Orange County in 2026.
Providers should ask patients their travel plans, and ensure that all patients are up to date with their measles vaccination prior to international travel. In particular, infants 6 months to 12 months of age are recommended to receive a dose of measles vaccine (MMR) prior to travel. While this dose does not count towards completion of the routine series it is recommended for those at high-risk for exposure, specifically international travelers. Those who have only received one-dose of MMR vaccine should receive a second dose prior to travel, which may be administered as soon as 28 days after the first dose of MMR. Providers should consider following the recommendations for international travel for patients traveling domestically to places with measles transmission.
As of May 14, 2026, 1,893 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 1,884 measles cases were reported by 40 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 9 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is officially over as of April 26. This outbreak was centered in Spartanburg County and represented the largest measles outbreak in the US in more than three decades. 997 confirmed cases and zero deaths were reported from October 2025 to April 2026. 81,096 MMR vaccinations were given overall statewide, up 31.3% from the previous year.
Measles activity is elevated through the world. Bangladesh has reported 35,000 illnesses and 227 deaths in children. An outbreak in Guatemala started December 2025, and has reached 5,297 cases and four deaths; recently cases appear to be waning. In Mexico, over 10,000 cases and 10 deaths have been reported in 2026.
Vaccination Status
Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
Bottom line: Risk to Californians is Extremely Low
An outbreak of Andes virus, a member of the Hantavirus family, has been declared associated with a cruiseship MV Hondius. As of May 13, there have been 10 cases and 3 fatalities. No cases have been from the US.
There are now five possibly exposed Californians undergoing monitoring for their health status. In addition to the person in the Pitcairn Islands, two individuals are in California in Santa Clara and Sacramento counties, and two are in the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, Nebraska. At this time, CDPH does not have additional information to share regarding the two Californians in Nebraska, including when they will return to the state. To our knowledge, none of the possibly exposed individuals reside in Orange County.
Currently, according to CDPH, all five individuals undergoing public health monitoring do not have any symptoms of illness from hantavirus, and the two individuals in California are in close contact with local public health officials to assure they remain healthy and follow public health direction to limit interaction with others.
CDPH remains in close contact with the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). This is an evolving situation, and information is current as of May 13. New or changing information will be updated as it becomes available.
The strain involved has been confirmed to be Andes virus the only strain of hantavirus known to be transmitted person-to-person. However, previous outbreaks have shown that in order to spread, people need to be in really close contact (like a nurse taking care of a patient or a couple sharing a bed). Andes virus is endemic in Argentina, circulating year-round. The country reported 28 cases last year.
Hantavirus is actually a family of related viruses that vary across the world. Sin Nombre virus, which circulates in the American West, and Andes virus, found in South America, cause similar disease, but only Andes virus moves from person to person.
The Sin Nombre strain of hantavirus has been endemic in California for decades. From 1980 to 2025, 93 cases were reported in California residents, and 31% died. In 2012, an outbreak hit overnight visitors to Yosemite’s Curry Village ten cases, three deaths. Mice in cabin walls were the culprits. In early 2025, three people died of hantavirus in Mammoth.
California’s cases concentrate in rural, mountainous areas above 2,900 feet in the Eastern Sierra. People who live on the coast or in the Central Valley have a very low risk of infection.
Preventing infection: Sin Nombre virus is not carried by house mice, rats, or squirrels its host, the deer mouse, is a rural and mountain species. Your kitchen mouse almost certainly isn’t a carrier. But since the two look alike, treat all rodent droppings the same way:
Don’t sweep or vacuum mouse droppings. Sending material into the air allows the virus to reach your lungs.
Ventilate first. Open windows and doors and air out the space for at least 30 minutes.
Soak before touching anything. Spray droppings with a bleach solution (one part bleach, nine parts water) and let sit for five minutes. The virus is killed by most household disinfectants.
Wipe, don’t sweep. Use damp paper towels, then seal in a plastic bag for disposal. Wear gloves. Rubber or plastic. Disinfect before removing, or dispose with the waste.
In spaces that may be heavily infested a mountain cabin, a barn closed all winter wear an N95 mask.
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that cause serious illness and sometimes death. The viruses are spread by infected rodents through their urine, feces and saliva. Andes virus, found in South America, can spread person to person. People mostly contract hantavirus by breathing in the virus.
Most hantaviruses found in North, Central and South America can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS initially causes flu like symptoms for 3-6 days, and can suddenly progress to severe respiratory failure and shock. NonHPS hantavirus infection can also occur, where patients experience non-specific viral symptoms, but no cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Treatment consists of supportive care. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus. Mortality rate ranges from 30-50%.
Testing usually consists of serology to detect IgM antibodies. Quest Diagnostics can perform this test.
Resources
• About Andes Virus | Hantavirus | CDC
• Clinical Overview of Hantavirus | Hantavirus | CDC
• Clinician Brief: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) | Hantavirus | CDC
• Hantavirus Case Definition and Reporting | Hantavirus | CDC
• Quest Diagnostics
PREPAREDNESS
Building Readiness Before It’s Needed: EMS Preparedness Highlights
Preparedness begins long before an emergency. Across the OC Health Care Agency, our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division continues to strengthen Orange County’s readiness through training, coordination, and planning with partners across the region. Recent activities reflect both the complexity of today’s threats and the importance of strong multi-agency collaboration.
Injury Prevention Insights
Our All Injury Dashboard continues to provide critical information that helps guide prevention strategies across the county. This spring, we are highlighting new OCTA-related e-bike safety videos aimed at reducing serious injuries among youth and adults. As e-bike use grows, so does our commitment to helping riders stay safe on the road.
FIFA 2026 Readiness
With FIFA World Cup activities coming to California next year, regional planning is already underway. Learn more about what’s ahead at the state level at visitcalifornia.com’s World Cup activity guide. Preparation now helps ensure we can welcome visitors safely while supporting our local communities.
Visit California 2026 FIFA World Cup in California Activity Guide
Prepared for a Safe Start to Summer
As we head into warmer months, it’s important that families, visitors, and organizations are equipped to receive timely emergency alerts.
• California Alerts: Cal Alerts
• Orange County Alerts: Ready OC - Text Alerts
Staying Safe Around Water
With beaches and pools filling up, staying informed can prevent injuries and save lives. Check local city and lifeguard websites for updates on beach advisories, shark warnings, and rip current forecasts. You can also visit OC Beachinfo – OC Health Care Agency for real-time information on water quality and bacteria levels or be on the lookout for rip current forecasts at NOAA National Rip Current Forecast Model.
The ABCs of Water Safety
A – Active Adult Supervision: Designate a Water Watcher to keep eyes on children at all times.
B – Barriers: Install fences with self-closing, self-latching gates around pools and spas.
C – Classes: Enroll children in swim lessons and ensure adults know CPR.
Learn more at Every Parent OC - Water Safety
As we move into July and August, we’ll continue our seasonal focus with Fire and Heat Safety guidance. Together, through awareness and preparedness, we can help ensure a safer summer for everyone in Orange County.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE UPDATES
National Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Month
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths among children 1-4 years of age in Orange County. Often, drownings occur at pools in apartment complexes or communities, or at people’s homes—even when other people are present. Drowning is silent and can happen in minutes. Guidance about drowning prevention includes advising families and all caregivers about:
• Undistracted adult supervision at all times while children are in/near water.
• Swim lessons starting at a young age and CPR classes for babysitters, parents and other caregivers.
• Installing barriers like fences and gates around pools, and using life jackets (especially for water activities). For more information and resources for your families, see Child Drowning Prevention – AAP Orange County.
May is Maternal Mental Health Month
In the US, as many as 1 in 7 pregnant and postpartum people think about hurting themselves, putting them at risk for suicide.
The first step in supporting families is identifying them. There are tools for screening pregnant or postpartum patients for mental health issues and information on local referral resources, click Every Parent OC - Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit.
Source: CDPH
OBSERVANCE TOPICS
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is a critical component of our overall health and well-being. Suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 10-34. Forty five percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 24. During this Mental Health Awareness Month we’re embracing three simple ideas: Hope. Heal. Thrive. Visit OCNavigator.org for 24/7 resources and support.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
Chronic liver disease is a leading cause of death in both Orange County and the US. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common viruses affecting the liver. These infections may cause sudden liver failure or progress silently for years, eventually leading to chronic liver disease. Learn more about hepatis and its vaccinations at Health Corner - Hepatitis and Your Liver.
National Nurses Week (May 6-12)
National Nurses Day is celebrated on May 6th, alongside the start of National Nurses Week, May 6th to May 12th, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. We marked National Nurses Week 2026, by recognizing the invaluable contributions nurses make in healthcare and our lives while addressing the real-life challenges they face every day.
SAFETY ALERTS/RECALLS/OUTBREAKS/ FOODBOURNE ILLNESS
Product Alerts/Recalls
May 4, 2026 - The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Issued a Public Health Alert for Ravioli Pasta With Beef Sauce Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens.
The FSIS public health alert is for ravioli pasta products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The ravioli labeled as beef and burrata may actually contain shrimp filling in lobster sauce. The shrimp and lobster, known allergens (shellfish), are not declared on the product label. FSIS issued this public health alert to ensure that consumers with shellfish allergies are aware that this product should not be consumed. The ravioli pasta items were produced between March 10, 2026, and April 21, 2026.
May 1, 2026 - FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Meat and Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Dairy Products That Have Been Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination.
Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 hours to 6 days after eating the contaminated product. The list of products subject to the public health alert are available here.
The FDA has recalled three specific batches of a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula 0-12 months (USA label) due to the presence of cereulide toxin, which is produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Although no confirmed incidents of illness or harm have been reported, affected batches must not be used. This product was distributed nationally through a2MC’s website, Amazon and Meijer stores as part of Operation Fly Formula starting in 2022 but has been since discontinued and removed from sale. An estimated 16,428 affected tins were sold to consumers.
Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that typically self-resolve within 24 hours. However, infants are at greater risk due to their physiologic vulnerability and limited reserves and can experience complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Cereulide contamination of infant formula has been identified in multiple other countries over the past several months, with over 144 suspected and confirmed cases reported World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News .
Recommendations:
• Advise families to immediately stop using the product and dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Report illness or adverse event to the FDA:
• Report a Product Problem through SmartHub, or
• Complete and submit a Medwatch report Online at FDA MedWatch, or by Regular Mail or Fax:
• Download the form from FDA MedWatch Safety Information Reporting or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form.
• Then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-017.
For additional information, see FDA a2 Platinum USA Label Infant Formula Recalled Because of Possible Health Risk.
TRAINING & WEBINAR OPPORTUNITIES
Local Webinars
OC Health Care Agency State of the Address (Flyer below)
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Delivered by OC County Health Officer. Registration required, register here: State of Public Health in OC - 2026
General Webinars
• May 19 at 11 a.m. - Trust for America’s Health - Responding to Today’s Gaps for Tomorrow’s Health Emergencies
• June 2 at 10 a.m. - California Water Quality Monitoring Council
Provider Advisory List
Clinicians, receive immediate notification of communicable disease related alerts. Sign up at this link: Provider Advisory Email Advisory.
Monthly Health Officer Clinician Newsletter
Subscribe to receive the County Health Officer newsletter by entering your email here: Health Officer NewsletterSubscribe
Healthy OC Newsletter
Relevant and clear health information, provided to empower Orange County residents and visitors, to live healthier lives. Subscribe Here
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/