Gov. DeWine signs new Ohio law expanding epinephrine options in state schools
Students with severe allergies will soon be able to carry a nasal-spray alternative to an EpiPen at Ohio schools.
Governor DeWine recently signed House Bill 462 into law. The law expands Ohio’s allergy-response rules beyond EpiPens, allowing schools and camps to use any FDA-approved epinephrine device, including nasal sprays. It passed the Ohio House and Senate unanimously before arriving on DeWine’s desk.
Learn more here.
American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Recommendations for RSV Immunizations 2026-2027
New guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics expands the categories of high-risk children eligible for immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of hospitalization among young children.
The AAP continues to recommend RSV immunization for all infants under 8 months of age born during or entering their first RSV season, unless the infant has documented protection from vaccination of their pregnant parent. The AAP expands the high-risk criteria for administration of RSV immunization in infants and children ages 8 months-19 months entering their second RSV season, as well, according to AAP.
Read the full news release to learn more.
Governor DeWine Announces New Navigator Program to Help Families with Children Diagnosed with Cancer
Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, announced the creation of a navigation program that will connect families of pediatric cancer patients with the tools to get help more quickly and effectively. The announcement coincides with the first day of September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“This program will save precious time solving problems and finding answers when families need it most,” said Governor DeWine. “Our goal is to help as many families as possible and connect them with potentially life-saving resources.”
The new program expands existing work ODH is doing through its Complex Medical Help program, which currently covers some cancer treatment costs for Ohio families that are medically and financially eligible. The new Pediatric Complex Care Navigation program services are available to all Ohio families regardless of income level.
Watch the full press conference here.
Read the full press release here.
Learn more about the FCPH Complex Medical Help program.
ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff Announces Measles Outbreak in Ohio
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, is reporting the state’s third measles outbreak of 2026. The outbreak, which is defined by three or more related cases, includes four infected individuals: three in Ashtabula County and one in Tuscarawas County.
All four individuals were unvaccinated, and the age range is from 4 to 30 years. ODH reported two of the Ashtabula County cases on its Summary of Infectious Diseases in Ohio dashboard last week.
ODH is working with the health departments in the area to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination.
The department reported an outbreak in Cuyahoga County in January and in Franklin County in February. ODH has now reported 15 measles cases in 2026. The state had 45 cases in 2025, seven cases in 2024 and one case in 2023.
For more information on Measles please visit the CDC website or the ODH Measles information page. To read the full press release from ODH please visit: https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/measles-news-release-073026
Cyclosporiasis
What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora. People become infected by consuming food (such as raw produce) or water contaminated with the parasite.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
When do symptoms start?
About a week after exposure to the parasite.
How long does it last?
Several days to even several weeks if it is left untreated.
How can I avoid getting it?
Keep yourself and others safe by:
- Wash your hands with warm soap and water frequently.
- Drink safe, clean water and avoid water that may be contaminated with feces.
- Avoid swimming in pools or public bodies of water if you’ve had diarrhea.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before cutting, cooking and eating.
- Use a brush to scrub firm produce like melons and cucumbers.
- Cut away and discard bruised or damaged areas of produce.
- Refrigerate cut fruits and vegetables within two hours.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged diarrhea or severe dehydration.
Where can I learn more?
Cyclosporiasis is being tracked by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Disease Dashboard. General information can be found by visiting the CDC.
American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Recommendations on Drowning Prevention
In alignment with Water Safety month, the American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance on drowning prevention. Their recommendations include:
- Be aware of drowning hazards. Supervise children in, on, and around water. Never leave, even momentarily, young children alone or with another child while in or near bathtubs, pools, spas, or standing or flowing water.
- Ensure a supervising adult with swimming skills is within arm’s length and provides touch supervision for an infant, toddler, or weak swimmer who is in or around water.
- Begin swimming classes in children after their first birthday. There is also no evidence that infant swim lessons reduce the incidence of drowning.
- Young children near water, non-swimmers and those riding on boats should wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets, with adults modeling use.
- Laws, regulations, and enforcement—such as fencing requirements, life jacket regulations, lifeguard standards, and safe natural-water designations—are proven tools to reduce drowning deaths.
- Caregivers and adolescents should learn CPR and know how to perform safe rescue.
Review the news release for more information: https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2026/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-recommendations-on-drowning-prevention/
To learn more about water safety month please visit: https://nwsm.phta.org/
Hantavirus
Public health authorities around the world are working to contain an outbreak of hantavirus that started on the M/V Hondius cruise ship. At this time, the risk to the American public is extremely low. To date, there are no confirmed human cases acquired in Ohio.
The CDC is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. travelers onboard cruise ship with confirmed hantavirus cases. Their top priority remains the health and safety of all U.S. passengers.
Information about hantavirus and additional fact sheets are included below.
About hantavirus
- Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause severe illness and death, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
- They are spread mainly by rodents. Person-to-person transmission is very rare.
How people get hantavirus
- People become infected through contact with rodents (rats, mice), especially their urine, droppings, or saliva.
- The virus can spread through contact with rodents, by touching an object with the virus on it, or, rarely, through prolonged close contact with a sick person who has the virus.
Preventing exposure/reducing risk
- Minimize contact with rodents at home, work, or campsites.
- Seal holes and gaps in buildings, remove food sources, and use traps to reduce rodent presence.
- If a building has had rodent activity, it should be professionally cleaned and disinfected, and rodents should be removed by trained professionals.
Symptoms
- Hantavirus can be a severe and potentially fatal respiratory disease. For infections caused by Andes virus, symptoms typically develop 4–42 days after exposure, and individuals are generally only infectious while symptomatic.
- Early symptoms commonly include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, particularly in large muscle groups such as the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders. About half of patients also experience headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Some patients may develop worsening respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. Severe respiratory symptoms can be life-threatening.
Additional Resources
CDC About Hantavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/index.html
CDC About Andes Virus: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/andesvirus.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hantavirus Ohio Department of Health: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/infectious-disease-control-manual/section3/section-3-hantavirus
Ohio Department of Health: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/infectious-disease-control-manual/section3/section-3-hantavirus
Cicada COVID Variant Detected in 25 States, Including Ohio
Public health officials are alerting the public to a new COVID variant that has now been detected in 25 states including Ohio. The BA.3.2 variant, nicknamed “cicada,” was first discovered in June 2025 and but has only recently seen an uptick in infections.
Experts say that the virus could spread more easily than previous variants and could affect people previously infected or vaccinated against COVID, due to a mutation that allows it to avoid antibodies, according to a recent CDC report.
The new variant hasn’t been known to show any new or unusual symptoms compared to other COVID variants; the main risk is its ability to spread.
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches and more.
If you test positive for COVID, the Ohio Department of Health advises that you stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms are improving. For more information on COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html.
Flu Activity on the Rise
Flu activity is high and increasing across Franklin County and Ohio. A new flu strain is contributing to a significant rise in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The flu vaccine is the best protection against severe illness, especially for kids, older adults, and those with chronic conditions. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Franklin County Public Health is urging residents to get their flu shot as flu cases continue to rise across Ohio. Even if it doesn’t prevent illness, the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe complications and hospitalization. For more information on flu activity around the state please watch this week’s press conference from Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff or visit the ODH Influenza page.
Measles Outbreak in Cuyahoga County
The Ohio Department of Health reported the state’s first measles cases and outbreak of 2026 on January 8. There are three infected individuals, all children, from one household in Cuyahoga County. One of the three cases that is part of this outbreak had an illness onset date at the end of 2025, and the other two cases had onsets in 2026.
The children were all unvaccinated at the time they were exposed and traveled to an area in the United States with an ongoing measles outbreak. ODH is working with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination.
Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The measles vaccine (called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is very safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles. If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low. Visit the FCPH Vaccines page to schedule an MMR vaccine today.
Look out for Legionella in the Work Place
Your workplace water devices and systems could be putting people at risk.
Legionella bacteria grow in water and spread through devices that produce mist, allowing people to breathe in tiny droplets containing the bacteria. Exposure can lead to serious, pneumonia-like illness.
From common equipment like water fountains and showerheads to commercial building cooling systems, understanding how Legionella spreads and how to prevent it is essential for keeping employees and customers safe.
Get more facts about Legionella from the CDC.