MA Dept of Public Health News

Massachusetts Advises Consumers to Dispose of Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese Due to E. coli Outbreak

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued an advisory warning consumers to discard Raw Farm-brand raw cheddar cheese products amid an ongoing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to seven illnesses in three states, including two hospitalizations. Children under five account for more than half of the reported cases. The FDA investigation has identified raw cheddar cheese products made by Raw Farm, LLC as the likely source; the firm declined the FDA's recommendation to voluntarily remove products from sale, and the products remain in distribution nationwide.

Massachusetts Details Public Safety and Public Health Preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Massachusetts' comprehensive public safety and public health preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with seven matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium between June 13 and July 9, 2026. The state has secured nearly $76 million in federal funding, coordinated over 70 agencies, and launched a Match-Ready Massachusetts online hub at Mass.gov/WorldCup. Preparations include emergency planning, training exercises, transportation coordination, cybersecurity measures, and a human trafficking preparedness plan.

Massachusetts Extends RSV Immunizations for Infants Through April 30, 2026

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a clinical advisory extending the RSV monoclonal antibody immunization window for infants through April 30, 2026, one month beyond the typical March 31 endpoint, in response to sustained RSV activity across Massachusetts and surrounding states. The 2025-2026 RSV season began later than usual and is continuing further into spring. Infants younger than 8 months whose mothers were not vaccinated during pregnancy, or whose maternal vaccination status is unknown, along with certain high-risk children aged 8 to 19 months, remain eligible for immunization through the extended deadline.

Governor Healey Announces Support for Lifting Sunday Hunting Ban and Expanding Hunting Access

Governor Maura Healey announced she will introduce legislation to modernize Massachusetts hunting laws, including allowing hunting on Sundays, expanding crossbow use, and reducing bowhunting setback distances from 500 feet to 250 feet, following five public listening sessions that generated over 11,200 comments with majority support. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) separately announced that alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) will become a reportable condition for healthcare providers and laboratories beginning April 1, 2026, for an initial one-year period, as a proactive measure due to the northward expansion of lone star tick populations linked to climate change.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Domestic Flock in Dukes County

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock in Dukes County. The affected birds displayed clinical signs consistent with HPAI and were safely depopulated and disposed of. This marks the second domestic flock in Massachusetts and Dukes County to test positive for HPAI this year. MDAR is urging backyard and commercial poultry owners to implement strict biosecurity measures, including eliminating standing water, preventing domestic birds from accessing ponds and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl, and avoiding free-range practices. The risk of human infection remains very low for the general public, though individuals with prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds face higher risk.

Massachusetts Confirms Two Measles Cases in 2026

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed two measles cases on February 27, 2026 — the first two cases in the state that year. The first case involved a school-aged resident diagnosed out of state with no known Massachusetts exposures; the second involved a Greater Boston adult with recent international travel and uncertain vaccination history who visited multiple locations during the infectious period. State and local officials are working with affected venues to notify exposed individuals. No spread within Massachusetts has been documented, but the cases occur amid large national and international measles outbreaks.

Massachusetts Reports Ninth Human West Nile Virus Case

Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced the state's ninth human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a man exposed in Middlesex County. While the peak season has passed, officials remind residents to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites until the first hard frost.

MA DPH Safety Alert on Silicosis After First State Case in Stone Countertop Workers

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a safety alert to employers in the stone countertop fabrication industry following the state's first confirmed case of silicosis in a Hispanic man in his 40s who worked in the industry for 14 years. The alert recommends comprehensive workplace controls including wet cutting, ventilation, HEPA-filtered vacuums, medical surveillance programs, and respiratory protection to minimize silica dust exposure. Silicosis, caused by inhaling crystalline silica found in engineered stone (which contains over 90 percent silica compared to less than 45 percent in granite), is incurable and potentially fatal but preventable with proper controls.

ByHeart Infant Formula Recalled Due to Botulism Contamination

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is advising caregivers to dispose of ByHeart infant formula due to a national recall linked to infant botulism. ByHeart Inc. voluntarily recalled all lots of its powdered infant formula on November 11, 2025, following an investigation by the CDC and FDA.

Measles Exposure Alert: Boston and Westborough Locations

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed a measles case in an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough between December 11-12, 2025. The visitor arrived on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth and departed via JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas. DPH identified three exposure locations: Logan Airport Terminal B (12/11, 2:30-4:45 p.m.), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough (12/11 3:30 p.m. through 12/12 9 p.m.), and Logan Airport Terminal C (12/12, 6-11:30 p.m.). DPH is working with the CDC to notify potentially exposed individuals and urges anyone who may have been exposed to contact their healthcare provider.

Massachusetts Reports Very High Flu Activity With Cases Climbing

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reporting very high and rising levels of influenza activity statewide during peak flu season. Three pediatric influenza deaths and 29 adult influenza deaths have been reported so far this season. Hospitals across Massachusetts are experiencing high patient volumes, with nearly 9,000 emergency department visits statewide each day last week, and some regions reporting medical-surgical unit capacity exceeding 90%. DPH is urging all residents 6 months and older to stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, while noting that COVID-19 and RSV cases are beginning to rise.