San Mateo County Health

11/22/2025

🌊 Coastal Cleanup 2025: What Washed Up?
Thousands of volunteers came together this September to clean our streets, parks, and coastlines — and here's what they found most.

🚭 Cigarette butts continue to be the #1 item picked up along with mostly other types of single-use plastic items. These items pollute our oceans and harm wildlife.

🌳 Prevention starts with you — use reusable food and drinkware, and let friends and family who smoke know about resources to help them quit at smchealth.org/notobacco. Free pocket ashtrays to eliminate litter are available at smchealth.org/cigbutts.

11/21/2025

Healthy smiles build healthy futures! 😁 Through KOHA, TK & K student gets connected to dental care and the support they need to thrive.

Thanks to all our dental partners for making on-site screenings possible! Take a look at some of the highlights from this past year’s data! 🦷💹
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¡Las sonrisas saludables construyen un futuro saludable! 😁
A través de la KOHA, los estudiantes de TK y K entran en contacto con la atención dental
y el apoyo que necesitan para prosperar.

¡Gracias a todos nuestros socios dentales por hacer posible los chequeos en sitio! Eche
un vistazo a algunos de los aspectos más destacados de los datos del año pasado ! 🦷💹

🔗¡Haga clic en el enlace de nuestra biografía para obtener más información!
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11/20/2025

Mold on the mind? Rain creates excess moisture! 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.

11/19/2025

A healthy fall starts with prevention. 🍂
Vaccines are safe, effective and your best defense against serious illness. Make your appointment today and enjoy the season worry-free.

Don’t have health insurance? San Mateo County Health and community partners are hosting no-cost clinics — see locations and times here: www.smchealth.org/flu

11/18/2025

Show your love for the Bay, the ocean, and your family this season by choosing the safest sport-caught fish. Find out which fish are best for you and your loved ones at smchealth.org/fishsmart

11/18/2025

Antibiotic Awareness Week is a global call to action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—a growing threat that makes infections harder to treat and puts lives at risk. This year’s theme reminds us that everyone has a role in preserving the power of antibiotics.

Key Reminders:
🚫 Antibiotics do not treat viruses like colds, flu or COVID-19.
💊 Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare provider.
♻️ Never share or save antibiotics for future use.
🧼 Prevent infections through handwashing, vaccines, clean air and healthy habits.

Let’s work together to keep antibiotics effective for generations to come. Learn more at: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/HAI/Pages/AAW.aspx

11/17/2025

New Public Hotline for Infant Botulism Questions

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has launched a public hotline to support parents and caregivers during the ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to recalled ByHeart infant formula. State and federal health officials continue to investigate cases nationwide after testing identified bacteria that can cause infant botulism. Families using this brand of formula have been urged to stop using it and contact a provider if they notice symptoms such as constipation, weak sucking or swallowing or unusual muscle weakness in infants.

Hotline Information
1-833-398-2022
Open daily, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. PST

Trained public health staff are available to answer questions about symptoms, formula safety and next steps for concerned families. San Mateo County Health remains in close coordination with CDPH and federal partners and is committed to keeping families informed and supported through this outbreak.

Learn more from CDPH:

The California Department of Public Health is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of Californians

11/15/2025

🚭 Lined up end to end, cigarette butts collected in September 2025 in our community would stretch 1,533 ft — taller than the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco! 😱 They're toxic, plastic, and too many of them don't end up in the trash. Visit smchealth.org/cigbutts for more info on how you can help.

11/14/2025

Are you a property owner or manager of a 4+ unit apartment building? To support you in avoiding the most common violations, view best practices and other healthy housing resources at smchealth.org/landlord-resources courtesy of the San Mateo County Housing Inspection Program.

11/13/2025

Spice things up this fall with a lesson about reducing hazardous waste and protecting our environment. Request a free Common Core, NGSS-aligned lesson from Environmental Health Services for your middle school or high school class. Visit smchealth.org/hhw-school-education.

11/13/2025

🧼🙌 Stop germs in their tracks!
Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, cover coughs & sneezes and clean shared surfaces to help stop flu, RSV & COVID-19. Small habits make a big difference!
Learn more 👉 cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html

11/12/2025

Health Alert: Infant Formula Recall

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning parents about a recall of certain ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after testing found bacteria that can cause infant botulism.

If you use this brand, check the packaging and follow CDPH’s recall instructions. Parents and caregivers should watch for symptoms such as constipation, weak sucking, or floppy movements, and contact a health provider if concerned.

San Mateo County Health is here to support families and ensure all infants remain safe and healthy.

Learn more from CDPH:

The California Department of Public Health is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of Californians