LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Board of Health convened June 3 to discuss public health priorities for the summer and beyond, including concerns over measles, tickborne illness and behavioral health expansion.
Dr. Meenakshi Brewster, the St. Mary’s County health officer, led the presentation, beginning with the county’s participation in a new nationwide effort to monitor measles through wastewater testing. Although St. Mary’s has not confirmed any measles cases in 2025, one wastewater sample collected from the Marley-Taylor Water Reclamation Facility in Lexington Park recently tested positive. Four negative tests followed in subsequent days from the same treatment plant.
“That makes us less concerned about an ongoing presence of measles,” Brewster said, while addressing the majority of negative tests.
The positive sample was possibly linked to a community visitor. The state of Maryland has reported three cases in 2025 linked to international travel, but none from the ongoing West Texas outbreak.
“Measles vaccination is the best protection we have,” Brewster said. “Vaccination, with measles, can be up to 97% protective.”
She urged residents, especially those uncertain of their immunity status, to speak with a health care provider about any concerns. The St. Mary’s County Health Department is continuing to offer measles vaccinations, including during its upcoming back-to-school health clinics.
Ticks, Alpha-Gal Syndrome, and Prevention Efforts
Brewster also addressed Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a lesser-known tickborne illness that can cause a severe red meat allergy. St. Mary’s County and part of Calvert County have the highest concentrations of confirmed AGS cases in the state.
The condition is commonly linked to bites from the lone star tick, though recent evidence suggests deer ticks may also transmit it. Symptoms can range from stomach cramping and rashes to anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction — typically occurring hours after eating red meat or dairy products.
“We encourage St. Mary’s County residents to use tick prevention methods,” Brewster said. “Such as using chemical repellent with DEET or permethrin, wearing light-colored and protective clothing, and avoiding tick-infested areas as best as they can.”
Residents are encouraged to get tested for tickborne illnesses if they are concerned. The St. Mary’s County Health Department’s website includes prevention resources.
Behavioral Health and Primary Care Access Expand
The meeting also showcased significant gains in access to health services through the St. Mary’s County school-based health centers. Open to all residents during the summer, these clinics now provide behavioral health counseling and psychiatric medication management.
Since expanding services in early 2025, dozens of residents have taken advantage of the care offered. A newly released promotional video highlights the same-day sick visits, vaccinations, and rapid testing available at the centers.
Brewster also announced the formal opening of a new federally qualified health center in Lexington Park, operated by Greater Baden Medical Services. Located at the former Ledo’s Pizza site, the clinic offers sliding-scale fees and plans to expand into dental and pediatric services.
Crisis Services and Public Health Outreach
In response to growing concerns around mental health, Brewster provided updates on the county’s crisis response network. The St. Mary’s Health Hub continues to offer walk-in services, while mobile crisis units operated by the Sante Group are available weekdays for both children and adults.
Crisis Hotlines:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free and confidential
24/7 support for people in distress or their loved ones
Call or text 9-8-8
988lifeline.org
Additional updates included continued community outreach around asthma, substance use recovery, women’s health, and youth mentoring. The St. Mary’s County Health Department is also running CPR training and Stop the Bleed training, and supporting summer events like End the Cycle, Stop Gun Violence, scheduled for June 28 at Nicolet Park.
For more information on the Health Department’s services and updates, visit www.smchd.org.
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