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OHA urges people To Limit Smoke Exposure as Wildfire Season Intensifies - 07/24/26

July 24, 2026 

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

OHA urges people to limit smoke exposure as wildfire season intensifies

Health officials concerned about poor air quality, effects on sensitive populations as blazes rage across Oregon

 

What you should know:

  • Wildfire season is creating hazardous air quality conditions across Oregon.
  • Wildfire smoke contains particles that can irritate eyes, lungs, and other organs and have a severe impact on people with chronic conditions.
  • People can stay safe by keeping windows and doors closed, using HEPA filters if available, and avoiding outdoor activity. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—With nearly 80 wildfires burning across Oregon, air quality is poor in many areas of the state. But there are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from wildfire smoke exposure. 

“Smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds or thousands of miles, and some people—especially those with chronic conditions like lung disease or heart disease—can have a pretty severe reaction to even small amounts of smoke,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, manager of the Environmental Public Health Section at Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division. 

Wildfire smoke exposure risks

Wildfire smoke, like other sources of air pollution, can irritate eyes and lungs and cause everyone to experience symptoms such as coughing and watery eyes, which often clear up once the smoke passes. 

Smoke is made up of very small particles that can travel into the bloodstream to people’s lungs, heart, and other organs.   

Scientists are concerned about particulate matter that is 2.5 microns in size and smaller, known as “PM 2.5.” Thirty PM 2.5 strung together are the width of a human hair.  

“That’s how small we’re talking here. It is very well-documented that PM 2.5 exposure can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, cause irregular heartbeat and heart attacks, and cause premature death in people with heart or lung disease,” Goldfarb said. 

People most impacted 

In addition to those with chronic conditions, groups sensitive to wildfire smoke include older adults, infants and children, people who are pregnant and those who regularly smoke. Outdoor workers and athletes are also at higher risk.  

Low-income families who struggle with access to health care and protective housing may also experience worse effects of wildfire smoke, Goldfarb said.  

Children are a particularly sensitive population, because they inhale more smoke per pound of body weight than adults, and their lungs and other organs are still developing. 

How to stay safe 

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. OHA reminds people to check conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, view Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index or download the free OregonAIR app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search for alerts in their communities.  

If reports show high smoke levels, take the following steps: 

  • Stay indoors whenever possible.
  • Create cleaner air spaces.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers, if available, or create a DIY Box fan filter.
  • When driving, set your car’s ventilation to “recirculate.”
  • If you live with chronic lung or heart conditions, follow your management and treatment plan. Call your health care provider if your condition worsens due to smoke exposure. Relocate to an area with cleaner air if you can.
  • Keep track of medication, refill prescriptions if needed, and keep an eye on personal health. 

Many communities open cleaner air spaces during severe smoke events to help people unable to create a cleaner air space at home. In partnership with local officials and organizations, 211Info maintains a list of public cleaner air spaces. For more information: 

  • Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155 – both lines are available 24 hours a day. 
  • Text the area zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Visit https://www.211info.org/  

Remember that cloth, dust, and surgical masks do not protect against harmful particles in smoke. NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirators may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. 

For more information on reducing exposure to wildfire smoke, including fact sheets and FAQs in multiple languages, visit OHA’s Wildfires and Smoke page.  

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OHA urges people To Limit Smoke Exposure as Wildfire Season Intensifies - 07/24/26

July 24, 2026 

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

OHA urges people to limit smoke exposure as wildfire season intensifies

Health officials concerned about poor air quality, effects on sensitive populations as blazes rage across Oregon

 

What you should know:

  • Wildfire season is creating hazardous air quality conditions across Oregon.
  • Wildfire smoke contains particles that can irritate eyes, lungs, and other organs and have a severe impact on people with chronic conditions.
  • People can stay safe by keeping windows and doors closed, using HEPA filters if available, and avoiding outdoor activity. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—With nearly 80 wildfires burning across Oregon, air quality is poor in many areas of the state. But there are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from wildfire smoke exposure. 

“Smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds or thousands of miles, and some people—especially those with chronic conditions like lung disease or heart disease—can have a pretty severe reaction to even small amounts of smoke,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, manager of the Environmental Public Health Section at Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division. 

Wildfire smoke exposure risks

Wildfire smoke, like other sources of air pollution, can irritate eyes and lungs and cause everyone to experience symptoms such as coughing and watery eyes, which often clear up once the smoke passes. 

Smoke is made up of very small particles that can travel into the bloodstream to people’s lungs, heart, and other organs.   

Scientists are concerned about particulate matter that is 2.5 microns in size and smaller, known as “PM 2.5.” Thirty PM 2.5 strung together are the width of a human hair.  

“That’s how small we’re talking here. It is very well-documented that PM 2.5 exposure can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, cause irregular heartbeat and heart attacks, and cause premature death in people with heart or lung disease,” Goldfarb said. 

People most impacted 

In addition to those with chronic conditions, groups sensitive to wildfire smoke include older adults, infants and children, people who are pregnant and those who regularly smoke. Outdoor workers and athletes are also at higher risk.  

Low-income families who struggle with access to health care and protective housing may also experience worse effects of wildfire smoke, Goldfarb said.  

Children are a particularly sensitive population, because they inhale more smoke per pound of body weight than adults, and their lungs and other organs are still developing. 

How to stay safe 

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. OHA reminds people to check conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, view Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index or download the free OregonAIR app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search for alerts in their communities.  

If reports show high smoke levels, take the following steps: 

  • Stay indoors whenever possible.
  • Create cleaner air spaces.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers, if available, or create a DIY Box fan filter.
  • When driving, set your car’s ventilation to “recirculate.”
  • If you live with chronic lung or heart conditions, follow your management and treatment plan. Call your health care provider if your condition worsens due to smoke exposure. Relocate to an area with cleaner air if you can.
  • Keep track of medication, refill prescriptions if needed, and keep an eye on personal health. 

Many communities open cleaner air spaces during severe smoke events to help people unable to create a cleaner air space at home. In partnership with local officials and organizations, 211Info maintains a list of public cleaner air spaces. For more information: 

  • Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155 – both lines are available 24 hours a day. 
  • Text the area zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Visit https://www.211info.org/  

Remember that cloth, dust, and surgical masks do not protect against harmful particles in smoke. NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirators may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. 

For more information on reducing exposure to wildfire smoke, including fact sheets and FAQs in multiple languages, visit OHA’s Wildfires and Smoke page.  

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Cyclosporiasis Cases Linked To National Outbreak Reported In Oregon - 07/24/26

July 24, 2026

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

 

Cyclosporiasis cases linked to national outbreak reported in Oregon

 

Federal health agencies say illnesses caused by contaminated lettuce  

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reporting two Oregon residents who developed Cyclospora infections that may be linked to the ongoing multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.  

Both individuals traveled to other states involved in the recent nationwide recall of pre-shredded iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak. 

The risk to the public remains low. The products, voluntarily recalled July 17, were not reported to have been distributed in Oregon. Cyclospora is not spread directly from person to person.   

Oregon has not detected an unusual increase in the number of cyclosporiasis cases. Cyclosporiasis is reported in Oregon each year, though they’re not typically linked to a national outbreak and most cases report recent international travel.  

So far in 2026, 23 cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Oregon, which is consistent with the number of cases reported in recent years: 26 cases in 2025, 30 cases in 2024, 10 cases in 2023, eight cases in 2022, and 14 cases in 2021.  

As the federal outbreak continues, additional cases linked to the outbreak are expected among people who recently traveled to affected areas, or as additional products may be identified as part of the nationwide outbreak.   

Oregon residents can reduce their risk of foodborne infections by following safe food handling practices, including washing hands and surfaces often, rinsing fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating or preparing, and cooking foods to proper temperatures.  

OHA is not reporting demographic information about Oregon’s Cyclospora cases, including age, gender or counties of residence, to protect their confidentiality. 

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Cyclosporiasis Cases Linked To National Outbreak Reported In Oregon - 07/24/26

July 24, 2026

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

 

Cyclosporiasis cases linked to national outbreak reported in Oregon

 

Federal health agencies say illnesses caused by contaminated lettuce  

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reporting two Oregon residents who developed Cyclospora infections that may be linked to the ongoing multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.  

Both individuals traveled to other states involved in the recent nationwide recall of pre-shredded iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak. 

The risk to the public remains low. The products, voluntarily recalled July 17, were not reported to have been distributed in Oregon. Cyclospora is not spread directly from person to person.   

Oregon has not detected an unusual increase in the number of cyclosporiasis cases. Cyclosporiasis is reported in Oregon each year, though they’re not typically linked to a national outbreak and most cases report recent international travel.  

So far in 2026, 23 cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Oregon, which is consistent with the number of cases reported in recent years: 26 cases in 2025, 30 cases in 2024, 10 cases in 2023, eight cases in 2022, and 14 cases in 2021.  

As the federal outbreak continues, additional cases linked to the outbreak are expected among people who recently traveled to affected areas, or as additional products may be identified as part of the nationwide outbreak.   

Oregon residents can reduce their risk of foodborne infections by following safe food handling practices, including washing hands and surfaces often, rinsing fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating or preparing, and cooking foods to proper temperatures.  

OHA is not reporting demographic information about Oregon’s Cyclospora cases, including age, gender or counties of residence, to protect their confidentiality. 

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Beaverton Trampoline Park Identified As measles Exposure site - 07/23/26

July 23, 2026 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

 

Beaverton trampoline park identified as measles exposure site

Health officials urge people who were at location during exposure period to talk to a health care provider 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton trampoline park has been identified as measles exposure location, prompting Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Washington County public health officials to urge people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed. 

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at this date and time: 

  • Sky Zone Beaverton, 10750 SW Denney Road, Building 1, Suite 110, Beaverton, between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18. 

People who were at this location during this date and time period should immediately contact their health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.  

Facts about measles 

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area. 

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. 

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low. 

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they: 

  1. Have a measles-like rash, or
  2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes). 
 

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. 

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Beaverton Trampoline Park Identified As measles Exposure site - 07/23/26

July 23, 2026 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

 

Beaverton trampoline park identified as measles exposure site

Health officials urge people who were at location during exposure period to talk to a health care provider 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton trampoline park has been identified as measles exposure location, prompting Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Washington County public health officials to urge people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed. 

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at this date and time: 

  • Sky Zone Beaverton, 10750 SW Denney Road, Building 1, Suite 110, Beaverton, between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18. 

People who were at this location during this date and time period should immediately contact their health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.  

Facts about measles 

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area. 

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. 

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low. 

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they: 

  1. Have a measles-like rash, or
  2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes). 
 

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. 

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New program supports Children Experiencing Homelessness - 07/21/26

July 21, 2026 

Media Contact:  

Kim Lippert, OHA,Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov , 971-323-3831 

Clara Debrun-Sittler, Morrison Child and Family Services, Clara.debrun-sittler@morrisonkids.org, 971-645-2785 

New program supports children experiencing homelessness

PORTLAND, Ore. - A new program between Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Morrison Child and Family Services and Path Home is embedding behavioral health support for infants and young children in a family shelter. The pilot is the first and only one of its kind in Multnomah County. 

“OHA is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of housing status, has access to the emotional and developmental support they need to thrive,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA behavioral health director. “This partnership reflects our belief that behavioral health care must meet families where they are, especially in moments of crisis.” 

OHA supported the pilot with $286,000 in funding to Morrison Child and Family Services, part of a larger $2 million state effort to boost mental health services across 12 counties.  

Morrison’s Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program is using the funds to support the pilot in Multnomah County with Path Home and mental health services across Washington County. Path Home partners with Morrison Child and Family Services to deliver trauma-informed, critical mental health care to low-income and unhoused families.  

This innovative collaboration expands access to behavioral care by addressing a gap in services for families with infants and young children navigating homelessness. Program services include referrals for mental health treatment and in-person parenting classes. Families who participate can receive free childcare during classes. 

“Children are at the greatest risk for experiencing homelessness during the first year of life yet families with infants experiencing homelessness rarely receive the mental health support they need to thrive,” said Sarah Heal, Morrison’s program director. “Consultation is a powerful strategy as it encompasses a wide array of services to parents, families, and early childhood providers across the environments where infants and young children live, learn, and grow.”  

At Path Home, Morrison’s bilingual mental health consultant works with families who have children ages 0-5.  

“Working with families who are experiencing severe trauma can create a high-stress environment, so we’re striving to provide a space for the staff to get meaningful support, manage stress, and avoid burnout,” said Yadira Ramirez Ochoa, Morrison mental health consultant.   

To learn more about the new pilot program, visit Morrison’s IECMHC Program website.  

About OHA 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) works to improve the lifelong health and well-being of all people in Oregon by expanding access to quality health care, strengthening behavioral health services, advancing public health, and reducing health inequities.

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New program supports Children Experiencing Homelessness - 07/21/26

July 21, 2026 

Media Contact:  

Kim Lippert, OHA,Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov , 971-323-3831 

Clara Debrun-Sittler, Morrison Child and Family Services, Clara.debrun-sittler@morrisonkids.org, 971-645-2785 

New program supports children experiencing homelessness

PORTLAND, Ore. - A new program between Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Morrison Child and Family Services and Path Home is embedding behavioral health support for infants and young children in a family shelter. The pilot is the first and only one of its kind in Multnomah County. 

“OHA is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of housing status, has access to the emotional and developmental support they need to thrive,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA behavioral health director. “This partnership reflects our belief that behavioral health care must meet families where they are, especially in moments of crisis.” 

OHA supported the pilot with $286,000 in funding to Morrison Child and Family Services, part of a larger $2 million state effort to boost mental health services across 12 counties.  

Morrison’s Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program is using the funds to support the pilot in Multnomah County with Path Home and mental health services across Washington County. Path Home partners with Morrison Child and Family Services to deliver trauma-informed, critical mental health care to low-income and unhoused families.  

This innovative collaboration expands access to behavioral care by addressing a gap in services for families with infants and young children navigating homelessness. Program services include referrals for mental health treatment and in-person parenting classes. Families who participate can receive free childcare during classes. 

“Children are at the greatest risk for experiencing homelessness during the first year of life yet families with infants experiencing homelessness rarely receive the mental health support they need to thrive,” said Sarah Heal, Morrison’s program director. “Consultation is a powerful strategy as it encompasses a wide array of services to parents, families, and early childhood providers across the environments where infants and young children live, learn, and grow.”  

At Path Home, Morrison’s bilingual mental health consultant works with families who have children ages 0-5.  

“Working with families who are experiencing severe trauma can create a high-stress environment, so we’re striving to provide a space for the staff to get meaningful support, manage stress, and avoid burnout,” said Yadira Ramirez Ochoa, Morrison mental health consultant.   

To learn more about the new pilot program, visit Morrison’s IECMHC Program website.  

About OHA 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) works to improve the lifelong health and well-being of all people in Oregon by expanding access to quality health care, strengthening behavioral health services, advancing public health, and reducing health inequities.

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Recreational Use Advisories Issued For Brownlee, Hells Canyon Reservoirs July 20 - 07/20/26

July 20, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisories issued for Brownlee, Hells Canyon reservoirs July 20

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued recreational use health advisories today for Brownlee Reservoir and Hells Canyon Reservoir due to elevated microcystin levels.

 

Brownlee Reservoir is in Baker County and Hells Canyon Reservoir is in Baker and Wallowa counties. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also issued advisories for the cross-border reservoirs July 20.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA issued the advisories due to levels of cyanotoxin that exceed the recreational use value (RUV). OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

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Recreational Use Advisories Issued For Brownlee, Hells Canyon Reservoirs July 20 - 07/20/26

July 20, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisories issued for Brownlee, Hells Canyon reservoirs July 20

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued recreational use health advisories today for Brownlee Reservoir and Hells Canyon Reservoir due to elevated microcystin levels.

 

Brownlee Reservoir is in Baker County and Hells Canyon Reservoir is in Baker and Wallowa counties. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also issued advisories for the cross-border reservoirs July 20.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA issued the advisories due to levels of cyanotoxin that exceed the recreational use value (RUV). OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

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New Residential Treatment Facility To Open In Salem - 07/17/26

July 17, 2026 

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

New residential treatment facility to open in Salem

SALEM, Ore. – Behavioral health professionals and local partners gathered on July 15 to celebrate the opening of Ruth Marie House, a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) supported development of the 10-bed facility through a $1.3 million investment from House Bill 5024, which became law in 2021. The home provides 24-hour residential treatment in a supportive setting that helps people build skills, increase independence and support long-term recovery.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to recover and thrive in their own community,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s Behavioral Health Division director. “Ruth Marie House expands access to community-based behavioral health services in Marion County and provides people with the support, stability and dignity they need on their recovery journey.”

Ruth Marie House is named in honor of Ruth Marie Carroll, whose leadership and advocacy helped establish residential behavioral health services in Marion County nearly 50 years ago. Alongside her husband, Donald Carroll, she helped expand care for people living with serious mental health challenges.

Ruth Marie House supports OHA's goal to expand home and community-based behavioral health services so more people can receive care where they live.

“Mental health is huge and everyone needs help and support,” said Erica Ouderkirk, administrator at Ruth Marie House. “It’s great to provide that care for people and see their accomplishments.”

Residents are expected to move in over the next few months.

The Ruth Marie House is a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

 

Ruth Marie House is named in honor of Ruth Marie Carroll, whose leadership and advocacy helped establish residential behavioral health services in Marion County nearly 50 years ago. Alongside her husband, Donald Carroll, she helped expand care for people living with serious mental health challenges.

 

Community members and behavioral health professionals gathered at the Ruth Marie House to tour the new home for adults recovering from severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

 

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New Residential Treatment Facility To Open In Salem - 07/17/26

July 17, 2026 

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

New residential treatment facility to open in Salem

SALEM, Ore. – Behavioral health professionals and local partners gathered on July 15 to celebrate the opening of Ruth Marie House, a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) supported development of the 10-bed facility through a $1.3 million investment from House Bill 5024, which became law in 2021. The home provides 24-hour residential treatment in a supportive setting that helps people build skills, increase independence and support long-term recovery.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to recover and thrive in their own community,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s Behavioral Health Division director. “Ruth Marie House expands access to community-based behavioral health services in Marion County and provides people with the support, stability and dignity they need on their recovery journey.”

Ruth Marie House is named in honor of Ruth Marie Carroll, whose leadership and advocacy helped establish residential behavioral health services in Marion County nearly 50 years ago. Alongside her husband, Donald Carroll, she helped expand care for people living with serious mental health challenges.

Ruth Marie House supports OHA's goal to expand home and community-based behavioral health services so more people can receive care where they live.

“Mental health is huge and everyone needs help and support,” said Erica Ouderkirk, administrator at Ruth Marie House. “It’s great to provide that care for people and see their accomplishments.”

Residents are expected to move in over the next few months.

The Ruth Marie House is a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

 

Ruth Marie House is named in honor of Ruth Marie Carroll, whose leadership and advocacy helped establish residential behavioral health services in Marion County nearly 50 years ago. Alongside her husband, Donald Carroll, she helped expand care for people living with serious mental health challenges.

 

Community members and behavioral health professionals gathered at the Ruth Marie House to tour the new home for adults recovering from severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

 

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Mosquito Pool In Jackson County Tests Positive For West Nile Virus - 07/16/26

July 16, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mosquito pool in Jackson County tests positive for West Nile virus

Disease’s detection in insects collected at Eagle Point trap is first of 2026

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes in Jackson County have tested positive for West Nile virus. 
  • Residents should protect themselves against mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile to people. 
  • Use insect repellants, eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—West Nile virus (WNv) has been detected in a mosquito pool collected July 15 in Eagle Point, marking the first time in 2026 that the virus has been detected. 

July, August and September are considered peak months for WNv activity in Jackson County.  The mosquitoes were collected by the Jackson County Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program and DNA testing. 

Mosquito pools are traps that hold up to 50 insects. County vector control districts around the state use the pools to collect mosquitoes so they can be tested for mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans and animals, such as birds and horses.  

Residents are urged to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since WNv is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms, especially in people older than 50 with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Health care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on WNv testing. 

The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for WNv. Horses with neurologic disease should be examined by a veterinarian. WNv testing is available at Oregon State University. 

OHA and the Jackson County Vector Control District suggest these steps to protect against mosquitoes: 

  • Eliminate or treat sources of standing water around your home.
  • Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon/eucalyptus, or Picardin  (always follow label directions).
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.
  • Ensure that screen doors and windows are in good condition and fit tightly. 

West Nile virus is detected every year in Oregon, although mostly in mosquito pools. In 2023, the virus was found in 70 mosquito pools, four horses and 17 people; in 2024, there were 21 West Nile-positive mosquito pools, but no human or animal infections; in 2025, 11 mosquito pools, two horses and two people—both of the human infections were acquired outside Oregon—were infected. 

Additional information about West Nile virus: 

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Mosquito Pool In Jackson County Tests Positive For West Nile Virus - 07/16/26

July 16, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mosquito pool in Jackson County tests positive for West Nile virus

Disease’s detection in insects collected at Eagle Point trap is first of 2026

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes in Jackson County have tested positive for West Nile virus. 
  • Residents should protect themselves against mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile to people. 
  • Use insect repellants, eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—West Nile virus (WNv) has been detected in a mosquito pool collected July 15 in Eagle Point, marking the first time in 2026 that the virus has been detected. 

July, August and September are considered peak months for WNv activity in Jackson County.  The mosquitoes were collected by the Jackson County Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program and DNA testing. 

Mosquito pools are traps that hold up to 50 insects. County vector control districts around the state use the pools to collect mosquitoes so they can be tested for mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans and animals, such as birds and horses.  

Residents are urged to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since WNv is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms, especially in people older than 50 with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Health care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on WNv testing. 

The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for WNv. Horses with neurologic disease should be examined by a veterinarian. WNv testing is available at Oregon State University. 

OHA and the Jackson County Vector Control District suggest these steps to protect against mosquitoes: 

  • Eliminate or treat sources of standing water around your home.
  • Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon/eucalyptus, or Picardin  (always follow label directions).
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.
  • Ensure that screen doors and windows are in good condition and fit tightly. 

West Nile virus is detected every year in Oregon, although mostly in mosquito pools. In 2023, the virus was found in 70 mosquito pools, four horses and 17 people; in 2024, there were 21 West Nile-positive mosquito pools, but no human or animal infections; in 2025, 11 mosquito pools, two horses and two people—both of the human infections were acquired outside Oregon—were infected. 

Additional information about West Nile virus: 

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Lower Umatilla Well Users Urged To Re-test Drinking Water This Summer - 07/16/26

July 16, 2026

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Lower Umatilla well users urged to re-test drinking water this summer 

 

Concentrations of nitrate can be higher in domestic wells during warmer months, OHA officials say

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging residents of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) to test their well water for nitrate this summer, a time of the year when concentrations of the chemical can be higher.

OHA is kicking off a summer education and testing campaign with the slogan “Ready to Well Test? Summer is best!” that reminds domestic well users in the LUBGWMA about the importance of testing between July and September. Limited nitrate data OHA has collected in the area since March 2023 show that levels of nitrate increase during summer months.

The LUBGWMA is an area spanning northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County designated by the state due to high nitrate in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.

OHA and county public health staff and volunteers will go door to door in LUBGWMA communities in August and September to offer free well testing. Households with a laboratory nitrate test result above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) can receive free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but below 25 mg/L, OHA will pay for installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking (treatment systems are not certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L).

More information about the locations, dates, and times for door-to-door canvassing in the area will be provided closer to the August canvassing period.

Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and levels above 10 mg/L can be dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk. Retesting households with well water close to the health action level of 10 mg/L of nitrate is especially important because nitrate levels can fluctuate during different seasons of the year.

“The goal of the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program is to determine public health risk from nitrate exposure in domestic wells, so first-time samples and seasonal re-samples of well water are best collected during the period most likely to reflect a worst-case scenario,” said Ana Piñeyro, coordinator of the Domestic Well Safety Program in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.

Anyone who lives in the LUBGWMA can get a free nitrate laboratory analysis of their well water by visiting the website testmywell.oregon.gov (in Spanish at pruebadepozo.oregon.gov) or emailing Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov. They can also call the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at 541-952-9254.

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Lower Umatilla Well Users Urged To Re-test Drinking Water This Summer - 07/16/26

July 16, 2026

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Lower Umatilla well users urged to re-test drinking water this summer 

 

Concentrations of nitrate can be higher in domestic wells during warmer months, OHA officials say

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging residents of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) to test their well water for nitrate this summer, a time of the year when concentrations of the chemical can be higher.

OHA is kicking off a summer education and testing campaign with the slogan “Ready to Well Test? Summer is best!” that reminds domestic well users in the LUBGWMA about the importance of testing between July and September. Limited nitrate data OHA has collected in the area since March 2023 show that levels of nitrate increase during summer months.

The LUBGWMA is an area spanning northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County designated by the state due to high nitrate in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.

OHA and county public health staff and volunteers will go door to door in LUBGWMA communities in August and September to offer free well testing. Households with a laboratory nitrate test result above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) can receive free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but below 25 mg/L, OHA will pay for installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking (treatment systems are not certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L).

More information about the locations, dates, and times for door-to-door canvassing in the area will be provided closer to the August canvassing period.

Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and levels above 10 mg/L can be dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk. Retesting households with well water close to the health action level of 10 mg/L of nitrate is especially important because nitrate levels can fluctuate during different seasons of the year.

“The goal of the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program is to determine public health risk from nitrate exposure in domestic wells, so first-time samples and seasonal re-samples of well water are best collected during the period most likely to reflect a worst-case scenario,” said Ana Piñeyro, coordinator of the Domestic Well Safety Program in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.

Anyone who lives in the LUBGWMA can get a free nitrate laboratory analysis of their well water by visiting the website testmywell.oregon.gov (in Spanish at pruebadepozo.oregon.gov) or emailing Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov. They can also call the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at 541-952-9254.

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Three Providence Locations Become Latest Measles Exposure Sites - 07/13/26

July 13, 2026 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Three Providence locations become latest measles exposure sites

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Three new measles exposure locations have been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah and Clackamas county public health officials are urging people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed. 

People might have been exposed if they were at the following locations at these dates and times:  

  • Providence Immediate Care—Happy Valley, 16180 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, Happy Valley, between 7:42 a.m. and 10:22 a.m. Thursday, July 9. 
  • Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, emergency department, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, between 12:18 a.m. and 5:56 a.m. Friday, July 10. 
  • Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, emergency department, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, between 10:04 a.m. and 2:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11.
  • Providence Portland Medical Center, emergency department, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland, between 1:39 p.m. and 4:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11.
  • Providence Portland Medical Center, emergency department, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland, between 7:32 p.m. and 9:46 p.m. Sunday, July 12. 

People who were at these locations during these dates and time periods should immediately contact their health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine your risk for measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.  

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment. Clackamas County residents can schedule an appointment with a Clackamas County Health Center. 

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area. 

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. 

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.  The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low. 

What to do if you suspect measles in your household  

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:  

  1. Have a measles-like rash, or
  2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes). 

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. 

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx. 

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Three Providence Locations Become Latest Measles Exposure Sites - 07/13/26

July 13, 2026 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Three Providence locations become latest measles exposure sites

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Three new measles exposure locations have been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah and Clackamas county public health officials are urging people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed. 

People might have been exposed if they were at the following locations at these dates and times:  

  • Providence Immediate Care—Happy Valley, 16180 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, Happy Valley, between 7:42 a.m. and 10:22 a.m. Thursday, July 9. 
  • Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, emergency department, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, between 12:18 a.m. and 5:56 a.m. Friday, July 10. 
  • Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, emergency department, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, between 10:04 a.m. and 2:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11.
  • Providence Portland Medical Center, emergency department, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland, between 1:39 p.m. and 4:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11.
  • Providence Portland Medical Center, emergency department, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland, between 7:32 p.m. and 9:46 p.m. Sunday, July 12. 

People who were at these locations during these dates and time periods should immediately contact their health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine your risk for measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.  

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment. Clackamas County residents can schedule an appointment with a Clackamas County Health Center. 

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area. 

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. 

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.  The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low. 

What to do if you suspect measles in your household  

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:  

  1. Have a measles-like rash, or
  2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes). 

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. 

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx. 

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CORRECTION: OHA Urges Vaccination Amid Global Rise In Clade I Mpox Transmission - 07/13/26

CORRECTION: A version of this press release issued July 9 contained data on mpox case counts from previous years that was pulled from the wrong data dashboard. The data has been corrected. OHA regrets the error.

July 9, 2026

 

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

OHA urges vaccination amid global rise in clade I mpox transmission

 

Mpox type can cause more severe symptoms than clade II version of virus

PORTLAND, Ore.—Public health officials are urging people at higher risk of exposure to mpox to get vaccinated—and for health care providers to watch for symptoms among patients—as transmission of a more serious type of the virus increases globally.

Community transmission of clade I mpox virus type is increasing in several countries around the world, including in western Europe, and central and eastern Africa. Symptoms of clade I mpox may be associated with more severe disease than clade II mpox, which caused the ongoing, global outbreak of the virus among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men that started in 2022.

Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority (OHA), said people at higher risk of mpox infection should get the vaccine, known as JYNNEOS, as soon as possible.

“A recent uptick in mpox cases in other states has primarily been among men who have sex with men,” Sidelinger said. “While June is Pride Month, Pride events and festivals attracting gay men continue through the summer and into the fall. Some attendees at these events might engage in sexual behavior with other folks they meet at these events so should consider vaccination to protect against mpox, if they haven’t gotten the vaccine already.”

It’s also important for health care providers to know what symptoms to look for when seeing patients, Sidelinger said, and knowing who is most at risk.

Mpox spreads primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact. Most often, it has occurred through intimate or sexual contact, or during contact with the lesions of an individual with mpox through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person.

Infection rates are highest among people living in Multnomah County, those ages 30 to 39, and members of the Hispanic and Black/African American communities. Most cases were men who reported having sex with men, and most identified as gay or bisexual men.

In Oregon, one mpox case was reported in January 2026, and there have been no reported cases since then. There were 270 cases in 2022 when the global mpox outbreak began, and 30 cases in 2023. In 2024, there were 14 cases, and 24 cases in 2025.

People who suspect they have mpox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for mpox. Those who don’t have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 or their local public health authority for help finding a clinic or health care provider. 

About JYNNEOS

The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is highly effective. According to a May 2023 study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the vaccine was found to be 75% effective for those receiving one dose and 86% effective for those who had two doses.

JYNNEOS is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days apart. If more than 28 days have passed, patients should receive the second dose as soon as possible and do not need to restart the series. JYNNEOS vaccine is expected to be effective against both clades of mpox.

For patients who have received two JYNNEOS doses, no additional or booster doses are currently recommended. Vaccination is not recommended for patients who have previously recovered from mpox.

JYNNEOS is available through health care providers and commercial pharmacies, and it remains free to Oregon Health Plan members. Oregon law requires vaccine’s cost to be covered for others with commercial insurance.

For more information about mpox in Oregon, visit OHA’s mpox website.

CORRECTION: OHA Urges Vaccination Amid Global Rise In Clade I Mpox Transmission - 07/13/26

CORRECTION: A version of this press release issued July 9 contained data on mpox case counts from previous years that was pulled from the wrong data dashboard. The data has been corrected. OHA regrets the error.

July 9, 2026

 

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

OHA urges vaccination amid global rise in clade I mpox transmission

 

Mpox type can cause more severe symptoms than clade II version of virus

PORTLAND, Ore.—Public health officials are urging people at higher risk of exposure to mpox to get vaccinated—and for health care providers to watch for symptoms among patients—as transmission of a more serious type of the virus increases globally.

Community transmission of clade I mpox virus type is increasing in several countries around the world, including in western Europe, and central and eastern Africa. Symptoms of clade I mpox may be associated with more severe disease than clade II mpox, which caused the ongoing, global outbreak of the virus among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men that started in 2022.

Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority (OHA), said people at higher risk of mpox infection should get the vaccine, known as JYNNEOS, as soon as possible.

“A recent uptick in mpox cases in other states has primarily been among men who have sex with men,” Sidelinger said. “While June is Pride Month, Pride events and festivals attracting gay men continue through the summer and into the fall. Some attendees at these events might engage in sexual behavior with other folks they meet at these events so should consider vaccination to protect against mpox, if they haven’t gotten the vaccine already.”

It’s also important for health care providers to know what symptoms to look for when seeing patients, Sidelinger said, and knowing who is most at risk.

Mpox spreads primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact. Most often, it has occurred through intimate or sexual contact, or during contact with the lesions of an individual with mpox through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person.

Infection rates are highest among people living in Multnomah County, those ages 30 to 39, and members of the Hispanic and Black/African American communities. Most cases were men who reported having sex with men, and most identified as gay or bisexual men.

In Oregon, one mpox case was reported in January 2026, and there have been no reported cases since then. There were 270 cases in 2022 when the global mpox outbreak began, and 30 cases in 2023. In 2024, there were 14 cases, and 24 cases in 2025.

People who suspect they have mpox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for mpox. Those who don’t have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 or their local public health authority for help finding a clinic or health care provider. 

About JYNNEOS

The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is highly effective. According to a May 2023 study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the vaccine was found to be 75% effective for those receiving one dose and 86% effective for those who had two doses.

JYNNEOS is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days apart. If more than 28 days have passed, patients should receive the second dose as soon as possible and do not need to restart the series. JYNNEOS vaccine is expected to be effective against both clades of mpox.

For patients who have received two JYNNEOS doses, no additional or booster doses are currently recommended. Vaccination is not recommended for patients who have previously recovered from mpox.

JYNNEOS is available through health care providers and commercial pharmacies, and it remains free to Oregon Health Plan members. Oregon law requires vaccine’s cost to be covered for others with commercial insurance.

For more information about mpox in Oregon, visit OHA’s mpox website.

Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Pettit Resevoir July 10 - 07/10/26

July 10, 2026

 

Media contact: Erica Heartquist,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Pettit Resevoir July 10

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Pettit Reservoir due to a combination of factors, including elevated microcystin levels, that indicate a recreational health risk. A recreational use health precaution has been in place since June 24th due to the presence of a visible bloom. The reservoir is in Marion County.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Pettit Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Pettit Resevoir July 10 - 07/10/26

July 10, 2026

 

Media contact: Erica Heartquist,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Pettit Resevoir July 10

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Pettit Reservoir due to a combination of factors, including elevated microcystin levels, that indicate a recreational health risk. A recreational use health precaution has been in place since June 24th due to the presence of a visible bloom. The reservoir is in Marion County.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Pettit Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

###

 

OHA Healthy Homes Grant Program Helps Eastern Oregon Families Stay Safe, cool and Healthy - 07/08/26

 

Click here for a video of an Eastern Oregon grant recipient (in both Spanish and English). 

Click here for a video (in English only) of an Eastern Oregon grant recipient. 

July 8, 2026 

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA Healthy Homes Grant Program helps Eastern Oregon families stay safe, cool and healthy

Weatherization, electrical upgrades improve quality of life for residents in Ontario, Burns 

ONTARIO, Ore. –  For families across Eastern Oregon, a safe and healthy home can mean lower utility bills, fewer safety hazards and greater peace of mind. 

Through Oregon Health Authority’s Healthy Homes Grant Program, organizations like Community in Action are helping make that possible for residents in Harney and Malheur counties. Community in Action helps low and moderate-income individuals and families – providing education and counseling, skills development, and access to community resources that help create self-sufficiency. 

Community in Action received $211,191 from OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program toward completion of home repair projects for clients in rural Malheur and Harney Counties.

 Angelica Manriquez shows repairs done to her home in Ontario

 

 

The Healthy Homes program funds critical home repairs and improvements that help keep people in Oregon safe, comfortable and healthy in the places they call home. 

For Angelica Manriquez and her multi-generational family in Ontario, Healthy Homes grant funding made it possible to replace aging windows and doors in their home—improvements that have already made a noticeable difference. 

“Before the repairs, it could get really cold in the winter and hot in the summer,” said Manriquez. “The new windows and doors have made our home feel much more comfortable for everyone living here.” 

Manriquez said the weatherization upgrades also brought a renewed sense of stability and pride for her family. 

“These repairs may seem simple, but they changed a lot for us,” she said. “We’re very grateful.” 

The Healthy Homes Grant Program helps organizations make home improvements that reduce health and safety risks, improve indoor conditions and create healthier living environments for people in Oregon, particularly those in low-income or historically underserved communities. Ensuring safe and accessible housing is one of the goals of OHA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. Among the plan’s key strategies is implementing policies and procedures “that facilitate equitable access to quality housing.” The Healthy Homes Grant Program is helping OHA to meet this goal. 

In Burns, Paula Vaughan and Jeff Rohwer also benefited from Healthy Homes grant funding through Community in Action. Their home received important electrical upgrades that improved both safety and functionality. Prior to their electrical upgrades, Vaughan and Rohwer said they could not get their home insured, due to its poor wiring and age.  

“The house was built in 1924. I couldn’t get insurance on the home; they wouldn’t touch it,” said Rohwer. “I couldn’t have insulation done until the wiring was fixed. We got used to only using one utility out of each plug instead of two. Now that the rewiring’s been done, I don’t have to worry about burning my house down.”  

“Healthy homes are foundational to healthy communities,” said Brett Sherry, Healthy Homes Grant Program manager at OHA’s Public Health Division. “Through the Healthy Homes Grant Program, OHA can partner with organizations like Community in Action that are creating healthier spaces for people — especially in rural and frontier communities — and remain safely housed in homes that support their health and well-being.” 

The Healthy Homes Grant Program supports projects that address housing-related health and safety concerns, including weatherization, ventilation, mold remediation, accessibility improvements and electrical or structural repairs. 

Organizations such as Community in Action work directly with eligible homeowners and families to identify needed repairs and coordinate improvements funded through the grant program. 

OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program released a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) June 30, which will remain open until Sept. 29. Total funding for this RFGA is $4,700,000. This funding is used to make home improvements for low-income individuals, specifically individuals with disabilities and older adults (55 years of age and older).

The maximum grant awards will be $500,000 and successful grantees will have three years to spend the funds.

(Note: OHA provides grants to eligible entities who in turn provide services directly to the community. OHA does not provide home improvement services directly to the public.)

Click here to learn more about the RFGA.  

Click here to learn more about OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program.

About OHA

Oregon Health Authority works to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians by ensuring access to effective, equitable and affordable health care and by supporting safe and healthy environments statewide. 

### 

OHA Healthy Homes Grant Program Helps Eastern Oregon Families Stay Safe, cool and Healthy - 07/08/26

 

Click here for a video of an Eastern Oregon grant recipient (in both Spanish and English). 

Click here for a video (in English only) of an Eastern Oregon grant recipient. 

July 8, 2026 

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA Healthy Homes Grant Program helps Eastern Oregon families stay safe, cool and healthy

Weatherization, electrical upgrades improve quality of life for residents in Ontario, Burns 

ONTARIO, Ore. –  For families across Eastern Oregon, a safe and healthy home can mean lower utility bills, fewer safety hazards and greater peace of mind. 

Through Oregon Health Authority’s Healthy Homes Grant Program, organizations like Community in Action are helping make that possible for residents in Harney and Malheur counties. Community in Action helps low and moderate-income individuals and families – providing education and counseling, skills development, and access to community resources that help create self-sufficiency. 

Community in Action received $211,191 from OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program toward completion of home repair projects for clients in rural Malheur and Harney Counties.

 Angelica Manriquez shows repairs done to her home in Ontario

 

 

The Healthy Homes program funds critical home repairs and improvements that help keep people in Oregon safe, comfortable and healthy in the places they call home. 

For Angelica Manriquez and her multi-generational family in Ontario, Healthy Homes grant funding made it possible to replace aging windows and doors in their home—improvements that have already made a noticeable difference. 

“Before the repairs, it could get really cold in the winter and hot in the summer,” said Manriquez. “The new windows and doors have made our home feel much more comfortable for everyone living here.” 

Manriquez said the weatherization upgrades also brought a renewed sense of stability and pride for her family. 

“These repairs may seem simple, but they changed a lot for us,” she said. “We’re very grateful.” 

The Healthy Homes Grant Program helps organizations make home improvements that reduce health and safety risks, improve indoor conditions and create healthier living environments for people in Oregon, particularly those in low-income or historically underserved communities. Ensuring safe and accessible housing is one of the goals of OHA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. Among the plan’s key strategies is implementing policies and procedures “that facilitate equitable access to quality housing.” The Healthy Homes Grant Program is helping OHA to meet this goal. 

In Burns, Paula Vaughan and Jeff Rohwer also benefited from Healthy Homes grant funding through Community in Action. Their home received important electrical upgrades that improved both safety and functionality. Prior to their electrical upgrades, Vaughan and Rohwer said they could not get their home insured, due to its poor wiring and age.  

“The house was built in 1924. I couldn’t get insurance on the home; they wouldn’t touch it,” said Rohwer. “I couldn’t have insulation done until the wiring was fixed. We got used to only using one utility out of each plug instead of two. Now that the rewiring’s been done, I don’t have to worry about burning my house down.”  

“Healthy homes are foundational to healthy communities,” said Brett Sherry, Healthy Homes Grant Program manager at OHA’s Public Health Division. “Through the Healthy Homes Grant Program, OHA can partner with organizations like Community in Action that are creating healthier spaces for people — especially in rural and frontier communities — and remain safely housed in homes that support their health and well-being.” 

The Healthy Homes Grant Program supports projects that address housing-related health and safety concerns, including weatherization, ventilation, mold remediation, accessibility improvements and electrical or structural repairs. 

Organizations such as Community in Action work directly with eligible homeowners and families to identify needed repairs and coordinate improvements funded through the grant program. 

OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program released a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) June 30, which will remain open until Sept. 29. Total funding for this RFGA is $4,700,000. This funding is used to make home improvements for low-income individuals, specifically individuals with disabilities and older adults (55 years of age and older).

The maximum grant awards will be $500,000 and successful grantees will have three years to spend the funds.

(Note: OHA provides grants to eligible entities who in turn provide services directly to the community. OHA does not provide home improvement services directly to the public.)

Click here to learn more about the RFGA.  

Click here to learn more about OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program.

About OHA

Oregon Health Authority works to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians by ensuring access to effective, equitable and affordable health care and by supporting safe and healthy environments statewide. 

### 

CORRECTION: $97M Awarded Across Oregon To Improve Rural Health - 07/07/26

This version of the release corrects a typo

July 7, 2026

Media contact: Franny White, franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539

$97M awarded across Oregon to improve rural health

OHA announces grants to advance rural healthcare in every Oregon county

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is awarding about $97.1 million in additional federal funding to improve the health and well-being of Oregon’s rural communities this year. The grants will collectively support 136 new projects across all counties in the state.

With this announcement, Oregon has so far awarded about $175.3 million total to support health in rural communities this year.

“Overwhelming interest in this program demonstrates the need across Oregon,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “At a time when Oregon’s healthcare system is facing significant funding shortfalls due to federal policies, I’m pleased to announce this next step in distributing funding to innovative projects that further the state’s goals to support maternal and child health, bolster the behavioral health workforce, and sustain safety net providers. Our goal is to move these funds as quickly as possible to these critical partnerships.”

Supported by the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the new grants will enable community-driven projects that collectively: improve rural people’s healthcare access; increase the number of health professionals who work in rural areas; expand the use of data and technology to improve rural healthcare; and help rural communities build regional partnerships that can sustain long-term healthcare improvements.

"These awards support practical, community-driven efforts to improve access to health in rural Oregon," OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said. “Rural communities know their needs best, and this funding is intended to help them strengthen local services, expand workforce capacity, and address barriers that make it harder for people to get care close to home.”

The awards are being offered through two funding pools that OHA established for Oregon’s Rural Health Transformation Program efforts. The largest – competitive Catalyst Award grants – will provide about $80.1 million to 85 organizations that will lead 103 projects addressing either maternal and child health, co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorder, aging in place, or chronic disease. The selected organizations will support rural health in every Oregon county.

Another $17 million will go toward Immediate Impact Awards to fund 33 new ready-to-go projects this year. These direct grants are in addition to OHA’s April announcement that it would give $6.5 million in Immediate Impact Awards to support 12 other shovel-ready projects this year. The new Immediate Impact Award projects address a broad variety of rural health needs, including: expanding mobile health units that serve areas with limited healthcare infrastructure; creating a new family medicine residency training program to grow the rural healthcare workforce; and connecting patients with nutritious food to address diet-related conditions.

“OHA is quickly distributing grants through this unique federal funding source and looks forward to supporting Oregon’s rural communities as they improve their own health for years to come,” OHA Health Policy & Analytics Director Clare Pierce-Wrobel said. “While the total funding Oregon is receiving through the Rural Health Transformation Program is relatively small when you consider the full impact of recent federal Medicaid cuts, these awards can make a huge difference for individual organizations that are doing much-needed work in rural Oregon.”

Today’s Catalyst Awards announcement includes the names of organizations that have been selected and the maximum award amounts that are available to those organizations. Exact grant amounts and other details will be finalized when award negotiations are completed this summer. More information about Catalyst Award and Immediate Impact Award recipients can be found by clicking “awards” in the top right corner on the OHA Rural Health Transformation Program homepage.

This marks the largest round of awards OHA has announced since the federal government launched the Rural Health Transformation Program in late 2025. Other rural health awards that Oregon has made to date include: $35 million in direct funding for rural hospitals; $21.7 million for the Tribal Initiative, which aims to improve healthcare access and health outcomes in rural Tribal communities based on the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon’s needs; $10 million in direct funding for rural health clinics; and $5 million in direct funding for local public health authorities.

A federal-state partnership

The Rural Health Transformation Program was created by U.S. House Resolution 1, a federal tax and spending bill that became law in July 2025. While the law will cut an estimated $15 billion in federal funding for Oregon programs that provide health insurance, food benefits and more, it also created this federal program. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will distribute a total of $50 billion nationwide between 2026 and 2031 through this program.

Oregon is receiving a total of $197.3 million in 2026 and could receive more in the following four years. If Oregon is awarded similar amounts in future years, the state could receive an estimated total of $1 billion through the program. The federal government will determine 2027 funding after it reviews Oregon’s first annual progress report, which is due by the end of August.

Through this federal program, OHA is investing in community-driven projects that improve healthcare access, boost chronic disease management and prevention, grow and sustain the healthcare workforce, and expand the use of health technology and data in Oregon’s rural and remote communities.

# # #

The Oregon Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $197,271,577.67, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this release are those of OHA and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

CORRECTION: $97M Awarded Across Oregon To Improve Rural Health - 07/07/26

This version of the release corrects a typo

July 7, 2026

Media contact: Franny White, franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539

$97M awarded across Oregon to improve rural health

OHA announces grants to advance rural healthcare in every Oregon county

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is awarding about $97.1 million in additional federal funding to improve the health and well-being of Oregon’s rural communities this year. The grants will collectively support 136 new projects across all counties in the state.

With this announcement, Oregon has so far awarded about $175.3 million total to support health in rural communities this year.

“Overwhelming interest in this program demonstrates the need across Oregon,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “At a time when Oregon’s healthcare system is facing significant funding shortfalls due to federal policies, I’m pleased to announce this next step in distributing funding to innovative projects that further the state’s goals to support maternal and child health, bolster the behavioral health workforce, and sustain safety net providers. Our goal is to move these funds as quickly as possible to these critical partnerships.”

Supported by the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the new grants will enable community-driven projects that collectively: improve rural people’s healthcare access; increase the number of health professionals who work in rural areas; expand the use of data and technology to improve rural healthcare; and help rural communities build regional partnerships that can sustain long-term healthcare improvements.

"These awards support practical, community-driven efforts to improve access to health in rural Oregon," OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said. “Rural communities know their needs best, and this funding is intended to help them strengthen local services, expand workforce capacity, and address barriers that make it harder for people to get care close to home.”

The awards are being offered through two funding pools that OHA established for Oregon’s Rural Health Transformation Program efforts. The largest – competitive Catalyst Award grants – will provide about $80.1 million to 85 organizations that will lead 103 projects addressing either maternal and child health, co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorder, aging in place, or chronic disease. The selected organizations will support rural health in every Oregon county.

Another $17 million will go toward Immediate Impact Awards to fund 33 new ready-to-go projects this year. These direct grants are in addition to OHA’s April announcement that it would give $6.5 million in Immediate Impact Awards to support 12 other shovel-ready projects this year. The new Immediate Impact Award projects address a broad variety of rural health needs, including: expanding mobile health units that serve areas with limited healthcare infrastructure; creating a new family medicine residency training program to grow the rural healthcare workforce; and connecting patients with nutritious food to address diet-related conditions.

“OHA is quickly distributing grants through this unique federal funding source and looks forward to supporting Oregon’s rural communities as they improve their own health for years to come,” OHA Health Policy & Analytics Director Clare Pierce-Wrobel said. “While the total funding Oregon is receiving through the Rural Health Transformation Program is relatively small when you consider the full impact of recent federal Medicaid cuts, these awards can make a huge difference for individual organizations that are doing much-needed work in rural Oregon.”

Today’s Catalyst Awards announcement includes the names of organizations that have been selected and the maximum award amounts that are available to those organizations. Exact grant amounts and other details will be finalized when award negotiations are completed this summer. More information about Catalyst Award and Immediate Impact Award recipients can be found by clicking “awards” in the top right corner on the OHA Rural Health Transformation Program homepage.

This marks the largest round of awards OHA has announced since the federal government launched the Rural Health Transformation Program in late 2025. Other rural health awards that Oregon has made to date include: $35 million in direct funding for rural hospitals; $21.7 million for the Tribal Initiative, which aims to improve healthcare access and health outcomes in rural Tribal communities based on the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon’s needs; $10 million in direct funding for rural health clinics; and $5 million in direct funding for local public health authorities.

A federal-state partnership

The Rural Health Transformation Program was created by U.S. House Resolution 1, a federal tax and spending bill that became law in July 2025. While the law will cut an estimated $15 billion in federal funding for Oregon programs that provide health insurance, food benefits and more, it also created this federal program. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will distribute a total of $50 billion nationwide between 2026 and 2031 through this program.

Oregon is receiving a total of $197.3 million in 2026 and could receive more in the following four years. If Oregon is awarded similar amounts in future years, the state could receive an estimated total of $1 billion through the program. The federal government will determine 2027 funding after it reviews Oregon’s first annual progress report, which is due by the end of August.

Through this federal program, OHA is investing in community-driven projects that improve healthcare access, boost chronic disease management and prevention, grow and sustain the healthcare workforce, and expand the use of health technology and data in Oregon’s rural and remote communities.

# # #

The Oregon Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $197,271,577.67, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this release are those of OHA and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Thief Valley Reservoir July 2 - 07/02/26

July 2, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Thief Valley Reservoir July 2

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Thief Valley Reservoir due to laboratory results from recently-collected water samples that showed cyanotoxins above recreational use value (RUV).

 

A recreational use health precaution has been in place since June 12 due to the presence of a visible bloom. The lake is in Baker and Union Counties.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Thief Valley Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

###

 

Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Thief Valley Reservoir July 2 - 07/02/26

July 2, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Thief Valley Reservoir July 2

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Thief Valley Reservoir due to laboratory results from recently-collected water samples that showed cyanotoxins above recreational use value (RUV).

 

A recreational use health precaution has been in place since June 12 due to the presence of a visible bloom. The lake is in Baker and Union Counties.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Thief Valley Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

###

 

OHA Encourages People To plan Ahead, ‘Rethink The Drink’ To safely Celebrate July 4 - 07/02/26

July 2, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

OHA encourages people to plan ahead, ‘Rethink the Drink’ to safely celebrate July 4

What you should know: 

  • Drinking less alcohol is better for your health. 
  • Plan a ride home for a safe holiday celebration for everyone.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to several health concerns. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—As communities prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging people to plan ahead to keep themselves, their families and communities safe from excessive alcohol use.

Independence Day celebrations often include barbecues, parades and fireworks, and time with friends and loved ones. For many people, alcohol is part of the celebration. Its widespread presence can make it easy for people to drink more than planned and contributes to pressure on others to drink.

 Alcohol is involved in more than one-third of motor vehicle crashes in Oregon, and impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable death. In Oregon, more than one in five adults drink excessively, contributing to more than 3,000 alcohol-related deaths each year.

“This weekend is about celebrating our nation's history and spending time with the people who matter most,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA. “As people across Oregon gather to mark our country’s 250th birthday, we want everyone to plan ahead so the holiday is both fun and safe. If alcohol is part of your plan, arrange for a safe ride home before you go. Setting a limit and tracking your drinks can also help you avoid drinking more than you intended.”

Binge drinking or consuming four or more drinks for women or five or more drinks for men on a single occasion, poses particular risks during holiday weekends. In addition to motor vehicle crashes, it contributes to violence, falls and other preventable injuries. And it’s not just younger people—those in their 30s and 40s report binge drinking at nearly the same rate. Most individuals in this group do not have an alcohol use disorder.

Excessive drinking can have long-term effects, too. Over time, drinking beyond recommended limits can contribute to serious health consequences, from liver and heart disease to several types of cancers. It can also influence how children and teens view alcohol when they see it consistently tied to holidays and celebrations.

“Even small changes in drinking habits can meaningfully improve your health,” Jeanne said. “And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.”

Tips for a safe celebration: 

  • Plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver and use public transportation or ride-share services.
  • Host responsibly. Offer non-alcoholic beverages for your events.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
  • Drink less. Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
  • Set a limit for the week. If you want to reduce your drinking, think about what triggers you to drink too much and create a plan to handle urges.
  • Count. Track your drinking using a mobile app or other tools. Find resources at rethinkthedrink.com/resources.
  • Have conversations. Take time to pause, learn about the harms caused by excessive drinking, and talk with your loved ones about the way alcohol is prevalent in our lives and communities. Join the conversation at rethinkthedrink.com. 

About Rethink the Drink

Rethink the Drink is a health communications initiative led by OHA, in partnership with Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and Oregon Department of Transportation. The campaign invites Oregonians to have mindful conversations about when, how much and why they drink—for themselves, their families and their communities, and not only around holidays but year-round. There are several resources at RethinkTheDrink.com to help people who want to drink less, or to support individuals or their loved ones who might have an alcohol use disorder. You can also find Rethink the Drink on Facebook and Instagram.

Note: If you or someone you know is concerned about their drinking or may have an alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free, confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-4357.

###

OHA Encourages People To plan Ahead, ‘Rethink The Drink’ To safely Celebrate July 4 - 07/02/26

July 2, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

OHA encourages people to plan ahead, ‘Rethink the Drink’ to safely celebrate July 4

What you should know: 

  • Drinking less alcohol is better for your health. 
  • Plan a ride home for a safe holiday celebration for everyone.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to several health concerns. 

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—As communities prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging people to plan ahead to keep themselves, their families and communities safe from excessive alcohol use.

Independence Day celebrations often include barbecues, parades and fireworks, and time with friends and loved ones. For many people, alcohol is part of the celebration. Its widespread presence can make it easy for people to drink more than planned and contributes to pressure on others to drink.

 Alcohol is involved in more than one-third of motor vehicle crashes in Oregon, and impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable death. In Oregon, more than one in five adults drink excessively, contributing to more than 3,000 alcohol-related deaths each year.

“This weekend is about celebrating our nation's history and spending time with the people who matter most,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA. “As people across Oregon gather to mark our country’s 250th birthday, we want everyone to plan ahead so the holiday is both fun and safe. If alcohol is part of your plan, arrange for a safe ride home before you go. Setting a limit and tracking your drinks can also help you avoid drinking more than you intended.”

Binge drinking or consuming four or more drinks for women or five or more drinks for men on a single occasion, poses particular risks during holiday weekends. In addition to motor vehicle crashes, it contributes to violence, falls and other preventable injuries. And it’s not just younger people—those in their 30s and 40s report binge drinking at nearly the same rate. Most individuals in this group do not have an alcohol use disorder.

Excessive drinking can have long-term effects, too. Over time, drinking beyond recommended limits can contribute to serious health consequences, from liver and heart disease to several types of cancers. It can also influence how children and teens view alcohol when they see it consistently tied to holidays and celebrations.

“Even small changes in drinking habits can meaningfully improve your health,” Jeanne said. “And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.”

Tips for a safe celebration: 

  • Plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver and use public transportation or ride-share services.
  • Host responsibly. Offer non-alcoholic beverages for your events.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
  • Drink less. Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
  • Set a limit for the week. If you want to reduce your drinking, think about what triggers you to drink too much and create a plan to handle urges.
  • Count. Track your drinking using a mobile app or other tools. Find resources at rethinkthedrink.com/resources.
  • Have conversations. Take time to pause, learn about the harms caused by excessive drinking, and talk with your loved ones about the way alcohol is prevalent in our lives and communities. Join the conversation at rethinkthedrink.com. 

About Rethink the Drink

Rethink the Drink is a health communications initiative led by OHA, in partnership with Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and Oregon Department of Transportation. The campaign invites Oregonians to have mindful conversations about when, how much and why they drink—for themselves, their families and their communities, and not only around holidays but year-round. There are several resources at RethinkTheDrink.com to help people who want to drink less, or to support individuals or their loved ones who might have an alcohol use disorder. You can also find Rethink the Drink on Facebook and Instagram.

Note: If you or someone you know is concerned about their drinking or may have an alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free, confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-4357.

###

Enjoy Outdoors, Avoid Bites: OHA Shares Summer Mosquito Prevention Reminder - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Enjoy outdoors, avoid bites: OHA shares summer mosquito prevention reminder

What you need to know:

  • People should protect themselves from mosquito bites when they head outdoors during summer.
  • West Nile virus is a disease that can be spread through the bite of a mosquito.
  • Use insect repellents, wear clothes that cover arms and legs, and limit outdoor activities when mosquito activity is high. 

 

 

Simple steps can reduce risk of serious mosquito-borne illnesses

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—As mosquito activity increases during the summer months, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding residents and visitors to take precautions against mosquito bites and reduce exposure to West Nile virus, the most common mosquito-borne disease in the state.

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are detected in Oregon every year, primarily in eastern and southern parts of the state, though infected mosquitoes have been found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Public health works closely with local vector control districts to identify areas where the virus is circulating in the mosquito population.

West Nile virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect humans, birds, horses and other animals. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds and can then spread the virus through subsequent bites.

“Summer is a great time to enjoy Oregon's outdoors, but it's also the time of year when mosquito activity is at its highest,” said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., public health veterinarian at OHA's Public Health Division. “Most people infected with West Nile virus may not develop symptoms, but some can become seriously ill, especially those over 50. Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk.”

About one in five people infected with West Nile virus develop a fever and flu-like illness that can include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Adults 50 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain underlying health conditions are at greater risk for severe illness. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe neurological disease affecting the brain or nervous system.

People experiencing a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors or paralysis should contact a health care provider right away.

Here are tips to reduce breeding sites at home:

  • Eliminate standing water around potted plants.
  • Empty water from buckets, birdbaths, pet dishes and other containers at least once or twice each week.
  • Clean clogged gutters and drainage areas.
  • Remove old tires, unused containers and outdoor debris that can collect water.
  • Regularly inspect areas under decks and shrubs, and around outbuildings where water may accumulate.

Tips to protect yourself outdoors:

  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow label instructions.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when mosquito activity is high.
  • Consider limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use mosquito netting over infant carriers and strollers.
  • Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes and buildings.

Additional information about West Nile virus, mosquito prevention and surveillance activities in Oregon is available on OHA's West Nile virus webpage.

###

Enjoy Outdoors, Avoid Bites: OHA Shares Summer Mosquito Prevention Reminder - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Enjoy outdoors, avoid bites: OHA shares summer mosquito prevention reminder

What you need to know:

  • People should protect themselves from mosquito bites when they head outdoors during summer.
  • West Nile virus is a disease that can be spread through the bite of a mosquito.
  • Use insect repellents, wear clothes that cover arms and legs, and limit outdoor activities when mosquito activity is high. 

 

 

Simple steps can reduce risk of serious mosquito-borne illnesses

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—As mosquito activity increases during the summer months, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding residents and visitors to take precautions against mosquito bites and reduce exposure to West Nile virus, the most common mosquito-borne disease in the state.

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are detected in Oregon every year, primarily in eastern and southern parts of the state, though infected mosquitoes have been found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Public health works closely with local vector control districts to identify areas where the virus is circulating in the mosquito population.

West Nile virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect humans, birds, horses and other animals. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds and can then spread the virus through subsequent bites.

“Summer is a great time to enjoy Oregon's outdoors, but it's also the time of year when mosquito activity is at its highest,” said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., public health veterinarian at OHA's Public Health Division. “Most people infected with West Nile virus may not develop symptoms, but some can become seriously ill, especially those over 50. Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk.”

About one in five people infected with West Nile virus develop a fever and flu-like illness that can include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Adults 50 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain underlying health conditions are at greater risk for severe illness. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe neurological disease affecting the brain or nervous system.

People experiencing a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors or paralysis should contact a health care provider right away.

Here are tips to reduce breeding sites at home:

  • Eliminate standing water around potted plants.
  • Empty water from buckets, birdbaths, pet dishes and other containers at least once or twice each week.
  • Clean clogged gutters and drainage areas.
  • Remove old tires, unused containers and outdoor debris that can collect water.
  • Regularly inspect areas under decks and shrubs, and around outbuildings where water may accumulate.

Tips to protect yourself outdoors:

  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow label instructions.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when mosquito activity is high.
  • Consider limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use mosquito netting over infant carriers and strollers.
  • Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes and buildings.

Additional information about West Nile virus, mosquito prevention and surveillance activities in Oregon is available on OHA's West Nile virus webpage.

###

Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Agency Lake July 1 - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Agency Lake July 1

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Agency Lake due to the presence of cyanotoxins above the recreational use value (RUV).

 

A recreational use health precaution has been in place since May 21 due to the presence of a visible harmful algae bloom. The lake is in Klamath County.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Agency Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

###

 

Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Agency Lake July 1 - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

 

Recreational use advisory issued for Agency Lake July 1

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Agency Lake due to the presence of cyanotoxins above the recreational use value (RUV).

 

A recreational use health precaution has been in place since May 21 due to the presence of a visible harmful algae bloom. The lake is in Klamath County.

 

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

 

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

 

OHA encourages people to visit Agency Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

 

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

 

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

 

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

 

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

 

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

 

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

 

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

###

 

Oregon introduces Limited nutrition Benefits for OHP Members With Complex Health needs - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

Contact: Kristen Lambert, Kristen.lambert@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon introduces limited nutrition benefits for OHP members with complex health needs

New benefits will help improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

Salem, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is introducing two new nutrition benefits for eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members: a fruit and vegetable benefit and a pantry stocking benefit. These supports will help people with serious health conditions—such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer—access the healthy foods they need to help manage their conditions and avoid unnecessary emergency care. More information on eligibility requirements and how to request services is available on OHA’s Nutrition Benefits web page.

“These nutrition benefits give providers another important tool to help people stay healthy,” said OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA. “When people have reliable access to nutritious food, they can better manage their health—which reduces emergency visits, lowers hospital readmissions, and helps bring down medical spending overall.”

What the nutrition benefits include

Starting July 1, 2026, eligible OHP members may receive up to six months of support through the fruit and vegetable benefit or the pantry stocking benefit. To qualify, members must meet all of the following: 

  • Have a qualifying health condition, such as a complex physical or behavioral health need 
  • Have a qualifying life situation, such as recently being discharged from incarceration or treatment, being pregnant, at-risk of homelessness, or being an OHP member with Young Adult with Special Health Care Needs benefits 
  • Have low or very low food security 
  • Any benefit-specific requirements 

The fruit and vegetable benefit covers fresh, frozen, canned, or packaged options, including items like applesauce. The pantry stocking benefit includes foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cooking oils, and spices. Depending on their health plan, members may receive grocery box deliveries or a preloaded card they can use at participating stores.

A coordinated statewide launch

To help ensure the nutrition benefits reach eligible members who need them most, especially in rural areas of the state where provider availability and nutrition resources can be limited, OHA has been working closely with Oregon’s 15 coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and nutrition providers. Throughout this process, OHA used direct feedback from CCOs and providers to simplify key operational steps, including eligibility requirements and authorization processes. These steps will help reduce administrative burden and make it easier for eligible members to access services quickly.

As part of a statewide readiness review, each CCO identified nutrition providers in its region and worked to build network capacity to meet expected demand when the benefits launch. This included partnering with community-based organizations—such as Rogue Food Unites—that are already deeply connected to local food systems and community needs.

“Access to food is a fundamental human right. At Rogue Food Unites, our mission has always been to use food as a tool for healing and resilience, especially during times of crisis,” said Amber Ferguson, Executive Director of Rogue Food Unites. “We’re excited to serve as a HRSN nutrition provider and to expand access to food for community members who are economically insecure and living with underlying health conditions. By partnering with locally invested businesses, we’re able to provide fresh, nutritious food that supports individual and community health while also strengthening local economies.”

Reaching communities with the greatest needs

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Oregon’s ability to provide these benefits, along with nutrition education and Medically Tailored Meals, under Oregon’s 1115 OHP Demonstration Waiver, which remains in effect through September 30, 2027. Oregon’s 1115 waiver also includes housing benefits and access to devices to keep eligible OHP members healthy during extreme weather, such as air conditioners and air filters.

Recent HRSN data highlight both strong need for and broad reach of HRSN benefits across the state. Several rural counties—including Josephine, Wallowa, Linn, and Columbia—have some of the highest rates of members receiving HRSN benefits. Additionally, more than half of members who have received an HRSN benefit report having one or more disabilities, compared with 24 percent of the overall OHP population, underscoring the importance of these services in supporting members with higher and more complex needs. Additional data can be found on OHA’s Data about Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Benefits web page.

How OHP members can request benefits

Members can learn more about eligibility and how to request services on OHA’s Nutrition Benefits web page. 

  • Members enrolled in a CCO can access CCO request forms from OHA’s HRSN Nutrition web page or can contact their CCO directly.
  • Open Card members can contact Acentra at 1‑888‑834‑4304 or email ORHRSN@Acentra.com. 

For general questions, members can call OHP Client Services at 1‑800‑273‑0557.

Additional food resources

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Food Resources in Oregon web page offers additional resources for people who may not qualify for the nutrition benefits or who need immediate support. 

###

Oregon introduces Limited nutrition Benefits for OHP Members With Complex Health needs - 07/01/26

July 1, 2026

Contact: Kristen Lambert, Kristen.lambert@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon introduces limited nutrition benefits for OHP members with complex health needs

New benefits will help improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

Salem, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is introducing two new nutrition benefits for eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members: a fruit and vegetable benefit and a pantry stocking benefit. These supports will help people with serious health conditions—such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer—access the healthy foods they need to help manage their conditions and avoid unnecessary emergency care. More information on eligibility requirements and how to request services is available on OHA’s Nutrition Benefits web page.

“These nutrition benefits give providers another important tool to help people stay healthy,” said OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA. “When people have reliable access to nutritious food, they can better manage their health—which reduces emergency visits, lowers hospital readmissions, and helps bring down medical spending overall.”

What the nutrition benefits include

Starting July 1, 2026, eligible OHP members may receive up to six months of support through the fruit and vegetable benefit or the pantry stocking benefit. To qualify, members must meet all of the following: 

  • Have a qualifying health condition, such as a complex physical or behavioral health need 
  • Have a qualifying life situation, such as recently being discharged from incarceration or treatment, being pregnant, at-risk of homelessness, or being an OHP member with Young Adult with Special Health Care Needs benefits 
  • Have low or very low food security 
  • Any benefit-specific requirements 

The fruit and vegetable benefit covers fresh, frozen, canned, or packaged options, including items like applesauce. The pantry stocking benefit includes foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cooking oils, and spices. Depending on their health plan, members may receive grocery box deliveries or a preloaded card they can use at participating stores.

A coordinated statewide launch

To help ensure the nutrition benefits reach eligible members who need them most, especially in rural areas of the state where provider availability and nutrition resources can be limited, OHA has been working closely with Oregon’s 15 coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and nutrition providers. Throughout this process, OHA used direct feedback from CCOs and providers to simplify key operational steps, including eligibility requirements and authorization processes. These steps will help reduce administrative burden and make it easier for eligible members to access services quickly.

As part of a statewide readiness review, each CCO identified nutrition providers in its region and worked to build network capacity to meet expected demand when the benefits launch. This included partnering with community-based organizations—such as Rogue Food Unites—that are already deeply connected to local food systems and community needs.

“Access to food is a fundamental human right. At Rogue Food Unites, our mission has always been to use food as a tool for healing and resilience, especially during times of crisis,” said Amber Ferguson, Executive Director of Rogue Food Unites. “We’re excited to serve as a HRSN nutrition provider and to expand access to food for community members who are economically insecure and living with underlying health conditions. By partnering with locally invested businesses, we’re able to provide fresh, nutritious food that supports individual and community health while also strengthening local economies.”

Reaching communities with the greatest needs

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Oregon’s ability to provide these benefits, along with nutrition education and Medically Tailored Meals, under Oregon’s 1115 OHP Demonstration Waiver, which remains in effect through September 30, 2027. Oregon’s 1115 waiver also includes housing benefits and access to devices to keep eligible OHP members healthy during extreme weather, such as air conditioners and air filters.

Recent HRSN data highlight both strong need for and broad reach of HRSN benefits across the state. Several rural counties—including Josephine, Wallowa, Linn, and Columbia—have some of the highest rates of members receiving HRSN benefits. Additionally, more than half of members who have received an HRSN benefit report having one or more disabilities, compared with 24 percent of the overall OHP population, underscoring the importance of these services in supporting members with higher and more complex needs. Additional data can be found on OHA’s Data about Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Benefits web page.

How OHP members can request benefits

Members can learn more about eligibility and how to request services on OHA’s Nutrition Benefits web page. 

  • Members enrolled in a CCO can access CCO request forms from OHA’s HRSN Nutrition web page or can contact their CCO directly.
  • Open Card members can contact Acentra at 1‑888‑834‑4304 or email ORHRSN@Acentra.com. 

For general questions, members can call OHP Client Services at 1‑800‑273‑0557.

Additional food resources

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Food Resources in Oregon web page offers additional resources for people who may not qualify for the nutrition benefits or who need immediate support. 

###

Recreational Use Advisory Downgraded To Precaution For Lake Billy Chinook - 06/29/26

June 29, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory downgraded to precaution for Lake Billy Chinook

Pet owners should continue to keep their pets away from areas that appear to have a bloom

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has downgraded the recreational use health advisory to a precaution for Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County.

OHA issued the advisory June 12, 2026.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Lake Billy Chinook are below recreational guideline values for people however a bloom is still present and levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###

 

Recreational Use Advisory Downgraded To Precaution For Lake Billy Chinook - 06/29/26

June 29, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory downgraded to precaution for Lake Billy Chinook

Pet owners should continue to keep their pets away from areas that appear to have a bloom

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has downgraded the recreational use health advisory to a precaution for Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County.

OHA issued the advisory June 12, 2026.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Lake Billy Chinook are below recreational guideline values for people however a bloom is still present and levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###