Revere City health director reports low disease burden, flags infant illnesses tied to baby formula and a new FDA sunscreen ingredient

Lauren Buck, director of public health for Revere Health and Human Services, told the Board of Health that June brought a relatively low burden of communicable disease to the city, though she cautioned the public to remain vigilant during tick season.

"For June 2026, we had a very low burden of communicable diseases," Buck said, adding that the department recorded four cases of flu and two cases of Lyme disease and that the Lyme count is likely an undercount because the city is in the height of tick season.

Buck briefed the board on a national update: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a sunscreen ingredient that has long been used in Europe, Asia and Australia; she said products containing the ingredient should start appearing on U.S. shelves later this year. Buck also flagged a recent infant illness outbreak she said has been tied to Nara Organics baby formula, with reported cases in California, Pennsylvania and Washington. She urged anyone using that brand to check lot numbers and directed residents to the department website for details.

Buck closed by announcing two community events: Revere’s third annual community liaison resource day and the city’s first community baby shower, scheduled for Friday, June 26 at Veterans Memorial Park and the American Legion Hall. She said the resource day is open to the public and includes free food and local services.

The report informed later board discussion and did not, on the record, lead to a separate vote at this meeting.