Baltimore health brief: mumps uptick, opioid-settlement grants, and new state updates affecting care
Baltimore, MD – March 3, 2026 – Mumps cases are rising in the region; Baltimore launches opioid-settlement grants as Maryland tracks H5 bird flu.
Mumps cases rising in the Baltimore region
Maryland health officials are reporting an increase in mumps cases so far in 2026, with adults in the Baltimore area making up most of the recent cases. WTOP reported that, through Feb. 19, the Maryland Department of Health listed 19 confirmed cases and seven probable cases statewide, and that the department is investigating whether the cases are linked. Officials have described the overall public risk as low in a highly vaccinated state.
Mumps is spread through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets. Health agencies have emphasized routine prevention steps and following public health guidance, especially in close-contact settings.
Baltimore awards first wave of opioid restitution community grants
Baltimore announced its first round of Opioid Restitution Fund community grants on Feb. 26, with 11 initiatives selected for awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 (about $2 million total). WYPR reported that the priority areas include expanding mobile treatment services, increasing access to harm-reduction services (including naloxone distribution and drug checking), and strengthening social supports such as housing, transportation, food assistance, and employment connections.
According to WYPR, contracts still require approval by the city Board of Estimates. City leaders described the fund as a long-term resource intended to be used over at least 15 years.
State outbreak watch: presumptive H5 avian influenza on Maryland poultry farm
The Maryland Department of Agriculture said Feb. 26 that preliminary testing found a presumptive positive case of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial broiler farm in Caroline County. The agency said the affected premises were quarantined and birds were being depopulated to prevent spread, and that birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system. Federal confirmation testing was pending.
State officials cited health guidance indicating the risk to the general public is low, while people who work directly with poultry or dairy farms may face higher risk.
Medicaid waiver update with public comment period
The Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration posted a proposed amendment to the Community Pathways Medicaid waiver program, with a public comment period open from March 2 through April 1. The agency also listed informational webinars on March 4 and March 11 to review proposed changes and take questions.
Health-system developments: new partnerships and expansion plans
The Maryland Hospital Association highlighted recent regional coverage on major health-care collaborations and facilities planning, including an AI-focused health startup accelerator involving Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and large health systems and insurers, as well as plans by Kennedy Krieger Institute for a $250 million expansion described as a new 10-story care facility.
Sources
Mumps cases are rising in Maryland. Here’s what you need to know
https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2026-02-26/baltimore-names-first-recipients-of-opioid-community-grant-funding
NEWS RELEASE: Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Caroline County
https://health.maryland.gov/dda/Pages/Community-Pathways-Waiver-Amendment-4-2026.aspx
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
