San Mateo County Health

01/08/2026

CDPH advises avoiding foraging or eating wild mushrooms right now.

Toxic death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are growing across the Bay Area during the rainy season. These mushrooms can look like edible varieties but are extremely poisonous and have caused severe illness and deaths.

Cooking does not make death cap mushrooms safe to eat.

If you or someone you know may have eaten a poisonous mushroom:
📞 Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222
🩺 Contact a health care provider right away

Learn more from CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHIB/Pages/EIS/Poisonous-Mushrooms.aspx

01/08/2026

Pledge to recreate responsibly this year by safely disposing of your single-use propane cylinders & switching to reusable 1-lb. propane cylinders to keep your loved ones safe. Visit smchealth.org/refuel for recycling & retail locations & to be entered to win a reusable cylinder.

01/07/2026

Do you have questions or feedback about Senate Bill 43 implementation in San Mateo County? Join us Thursday January 8 from 11 am to 12 pm for a virtual SB43 community forum. Visit https://ow.ly/IENB50XTe3j for more information and to access the Zoom link.

SB43 will begin in San Mateo County on January 1, 2026.

01/06/2026

Mold on the mind? Rain creates excess moisture, which causes mold! Visit the CA Dept. of Public Health's bilingual Mold in the Home video series at bit.ly/3zb5pKf. Then see our mold blog post here wp.me/p5QE6A-vh. For safer cleaning resources, visit smchealth.org/healthyhome.

12/30/2025

This year, resolve to throw a safe and healthy New Year’s Eve party. Follow these food safety tips to ring the New Year in right. For more information about food safety, visit smchealth.org/consumersafety.

12/20/2025

Cozy up to new curriculum by having Environmental Health Services lead a lesson in household hazardous waste and its effect on the environment. To book an appointment or learn more about the program visit smchealth.org/hhw-school-education.

12/19/2025

The latest edition of the Health Education newsletter is out! 📰✨

This month is all about the Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus often called the “winter vomiting bug.” Keep yourself informed and stay safe!

➡️ English: http://eepurl.com/jueriQ
➡️ Spanish: http://eepurl.com/juewMk

12/18/2025

Give the gift of sharing this winter by starting a School Share Table on your campus. Learn how to save cafeteria food from the trash by visiting smchealth.org/sharetable.

12/17/2025

Q: Can I test for STIs at home?

A: Yes! TakeMeHome is a free home testing program that offers HIV, STI and PrEP panel tests where available. Test in the privacy of your home without going to a clinic.

Visit takemehome.org to see if you qualify and order your kit in minutes. Results are shared securely online.

12/15/2025

We're very proud that San Mateo Medical Center's campus has been revamped and expanded to offer medical care and other supportive services from of San Mateo - Government in a warm, welcoming and beautiful facility.

The campus, located on 37th Avenue in San Mateo, houses San Mateo Medical Center, the County Coroner’s Office, the Public Health Laboratory and a range of social and administrative services that support patients across the county. San Mateo Medical Center serves as the County’s primary safety-net hospital, caring for residents who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to access private health systems.

Every improvement made here expands access for the people who rely on us most,” said Colleen Chawla, chief of County Health. “This project ensures that our public hospital and other safety-net programs can continue to support our local community safely and effectively for decades to come.”

Read more: https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/san-mateo-medical-center-health-campus-completes-major-renovation-expansion

12/13/2025

Give the gift of safety and sustainability this season by knowing where to recycle your single-use propane cylinders. Never dump empty cylinders in the trash as this can cause injury to our waste haulers. Instead, make the pledge to switch to reusable propane cylinders and be entered to win a reusable 1-lb. propane cylinder at smchealth.org/refuel.

12/11/2025

Celebrate the season by serving up the safest sport-caught fish this winter. Find free multilingual guides at smchealth.org/fishsmart.