CA Dept of Public Health News

CDPH Encourages Mpox Vaccination as Clade I Case Confirmed in San Francisco

CDPH is strongly encouraging high-risk Californians to get vaccinated against mpox following rising cases statewide, including the first travel-related Clade I mpox case identified in San Francisco. That case involved an unvaccinated individual hospitalized after close contact with an international traveler. Clade II cases in 2026 are averaging 14.5 weekly compared to 3.4 weekly in 2025, more than double. The travel-related Clade I case is the seventh identified in California since November 2024 and the first in San Francisco. Public health officials are conducting enhanced surveillance and contact tracing to identify additional cases.

California Revokes 280+ Hospice Licenses in Multi-Agency Fraud Crackdown

California's multi-agency task force comprising CDPH, DHCS, and CDTFA conducted compliance reviews at a Van Nuys location in Los Angeles County on April 7, 2026, finding that approximately 9 out of 10 entities using this address cannot bill the state-run Medi-Cal program. Investigators identified that only 19 of the entities using this address are currently licensed and eligible to bill Medi-Cal, while 109 entities have never been issued a California hospice license. Since Governor Newsom's 2021 moratorium on new hospice licenses, California has revoked 280+ hospice licenses and placed 300 more under investigation — among the most aggressive enforcement actions in the nation.

CDPH Warns of Serious Illness Linked to RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese

CDPH issued a public health warning on March 20, 2026, advising consumers and businesses not to eat, serve, or sell RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese due to an ongoing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157 outbreak. As of March 13, 2026, seven individuals from three states have been infected, including five California residents; four illnesses are in children under five and two have been hospitalized. The FDA recommended a voluntary recall, but RAW FARM has not removed the product from the market as of March 18, 2026.

CDPH Advises Avoiding Sick Wildlife Due to H5N1 Bird Flu Detected in California Elephant Seals

CDPH has confirmed H5N1 bird flu in northern elephant seal pups at Ano Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County, marking the first detection of the virus in any marine mammal in California. The agency advises the public to stay at least 150 yards away from marine mammals and seabirds, avoid touching sick or dead wildlife, and keep pets leashed near beaches. Wildlife workers handling potentially infected animals must wear PPE including gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection. The risk to the general public remains very low with no evidence of seal-to-human transmission.

CDPH Urges Vaccination as Measles Cases Rise in Sacramento Region

CDPH is urging vaccination after six measles cases were reported in Placer and Sacramento counties, representing the third measles outbreak in California in 2026. On March 4, Sacramento County reported a fifth case in a child from the same community who attended an educational enrichment program where as many as 130 children may have been exposed while the child was infectious; the program voluntarily closed temporarily. CDPH is working with county health officials to notify those who may have been exposed. Californians are advised to verify immunity status, receive MMR vaccine if unvaccinated, and contact their health care provider before visiting any facility if measles is suspected.

California CDPH Urges Flu Vaccination and Treatment as Cases Rise

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a notice urging vaccination and timely treatment as influenza cases rise, including a new strain (H3N2 subclade K). CDPH recommends vaccination for all individuals 6 months and older, rapid testing for symptomatic individuals, and immediate antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.

California Health Advisory: Death Cap Mushroom Poisoning Outbreak

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an updated health advisory regarding an ongoing outbreak of amatoxin poisoning linked to wild Death Cap mushrooms. As of January 6, 2026, the outbreak has resulted in 35 hospitalizations, three deaths, and three liver transplants across Northern California and the Central Coast.

CDPH Warns Retailers and Public About Dangers of Kratom-Derived Products and 7-OH

The California Department of Public Health issued a public health warning on January 16, 2026, advising consumers and retailers that products containing Kratom or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) are illegal to manufacture or sell for consumption in California and have been linked to six overdose deaths in Los Angeles County. CDPH has seized more than $5 million worth of these products to date and is collaborating with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to educate retailers and initiate enforcement actions against those selling these products.

CA Health Alliance Endorses AAP Vaccine Schedule, Warns Measles Risk

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) have endorsed the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. This endorsement aligns with previous CDPH recommendations and addresses concerns about rising measles cases due to declining vaccination rates.

California Department of Public Health Urges Measles Vaccination Amidst Case Rise

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reported 17 measles cases statewide as of February 9, 2026, including an outbreak of eight cases in Shasta County. CDPH is urging residents to check their immunization status and get vaccinated against measles due to rising cases locally and nationally.