Public Health Recommendations

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), a multi-day high ozone (smog) event is expected to affect some Los Angeles County regions due to a heatwave. Air Quality Index (AQI) may reach “Unhealthy” levels or higher in Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Valley and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or higher levels in San Fernando Valley and Pasadena through Friday evening. The advisory will be in effect starting on Monday, August 24 at 1 p.m. until Friday,... continue reading »"LACDPH Health Advisory: Ozone Advisory"

CDPH encourages Californians to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines as infections rise statewide ​What You Need to Know: COVID-19 infections are increasing across California. Staying up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk of serious illness and helps prevent sick days. Sacramento – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. Summer and fall increases in COVID-19 activity have occurred yearly since 2020, creating... continue reading »"CDPH Health Update: COVID-19 Activity is Increasing, Take Steps to Protect Yourself This Summer and Fall"

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA)​ bases its recommendations for vaccinations on guidelines from trusted professional medical and health organizations representing millions of healthcare providers, reflecting a broad consensus on the safety and benefits of the recommended immunizations.  The Executive Order (EO) issued by the White House regarding childhood vaccine schedule recommendations does not change the WCHA's position on evidenced-based vaccine guidance. Earlier this year, the WCHA endorsed the 2026 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.... continue reading »"Joint West Coast Health Alliance Statement on Recommendations for Vaccinations​"

Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is notifying clinicians, public health practitioners, and laboratorians of cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis in multiple U.S. states. Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis. This is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year. Of the... continue reading »"CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): Domestically Acquired Cyclosporiasis Cases in Multiple U.S. States, 2026"

TO: Healthcare Providers, Commercial Laboratories, and Local Health Departments Increase in Introductions of Clade I Mpox and increases in Clade II Mpox Within California 6/12/2026  ​Key M​essages ​There has been an increase in travel-related introductions of clade I mpox into California and the U.S. in 2026 and clade II mpox cases have increased in California. Increases in clade I community transmission in Western Europe suggest that additional travel-related clade I mpox cases should be expected in California. Clinicians should have a... continue reading »"CDPH Health Update: Increase in Introductions of Clade I Mpox and Increases in Clade II Mpox Within California"

In early May 2026, a hantavirus outbreak was identified aboard the cruise ship M/V Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean. The virus involved in this outbreak is the Andes hantavirus, a virus type found in South America. The Andes virus differs from the Sin Nombre hantavirus, which is a virus type found in California and Los Angeles County. At this time, the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) has not been notified that any passengers who disembarked from the cruise have traveled... continue reading »"Extremely Low Risk to Pasadena Residents Following Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak"

From September 2025 to date, there have been five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in Pasadena; none reported exposure to raw milk products during investigations. We will continue to monitor suspected cases very closely and assess for raw milk product exposures given the inherent risk these products pose for infection. For additional information, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The California Department of Public Health recommends continuing RSV immunization with RSV antibody products for another month, through April 30, 2026, to: All infants aged 0 through 7 months, within 1 week of birth, ideally during the birth hospitalization or as soon as possible after discharge (unless prenatal RSV immunization occurred between 32 through 36 weeks of gestation and at least 14 days before delivery) Nirsevimab or clesrovimab are recommended Children aged 8 through 19 months at high risk of severe RSV... continue reading »"Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Protection Extended to April 30"

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is issuing an update to its December 5 health advisory as an outbreak of amatoxin poisoning continues across California. This outbreak is linked to the consumption of wild, foraged mushrooms and has caused severe liver damage in both children and adults, resulting in three adult deaths and three liver transplants to date. CDPH urges Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms. ​ Between November 18 and January 6, the California Poison Control System (CPCS) has identified 35 hospitalized cases across Northern California and the Central Coast, spanning regions from Sonoma to... continue reading »"Death Cap Mushrooms Linked to Three Deaths, Three Liver Transplants and 35 Hospitalizations (CDPH)"

WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric Hepatitis B infections by 99 percent What You Need to Know: Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious illness and death. The hepatitis B vaccination is an effective way to prevent infection and its complications. New ACIP recommendations could lead to more children and adults getting liver disease and liver cancer.​​ Continue Reading: The West Coast Health Alliance,... continue reading »"Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendations for Newborns (CDPH)"