Active Public Health Outbreaks in Alaska
Comprehensive Surveillance Report • November 2025
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Confirmed and probable cases reported between April 2024 and April 2025. Includes one infant fatality.
Syphilis Cases (2024)
Represents a continued multi-year surge. Congenital syphilis remains a critical concern for state health officials.
Measles (2025)
Low confirmed case count compared to national hotspots, but part of a broader U.S. resurgence.
The Pertussis Epidemic
Alaska is currently navigating a significant epidemic of Pertussis (whooping cough), with case numbers far exceeding the annual average. State epidemiologists have reported over 679 cases in the 12-month period ending April 2025, a stark contrast to the typical annual average of approximately 20 cases seen in non-outbreak years.
The outbreak has been most severe in the Anchorage and Mat-Su regions, though cases have appeared statewide. Health officials have confirmed one infant death associated with this outbreak. The surge is attributed to a combination of waning immunity and lower vaccination rates in certain communities.
Public Health Advisory: Vaccination (DTaP/Tdap) remains the most effective prevention. Early testing is critical for individuals with a cough lasting more than two weeks.
Syphilis & Congenital Syphilis
While Pertussis is an acute spike, Syphilis represents a chronic, escalating epidemic in Alaska. In 2024, the state recorded 452 cases, continuing a multi-year upward trend. Of particular concern is Congenital Syphilis (CS)—transmission from mother to child during pregnancy—which can cause severe birth defects or stillbirth.
Contrast in Response: Unlike the respiratory focus of the Pertussis response, the Syphilis strategy has moved into institutional settings. A new initiative has tested thousands of incarcerated individuals, identifying over 100 cases that might otherwise have gone untreated, highlighting the intersection of public health and correctional systems.
Environmental & Food Safety Alerts
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Active advisories remain in effect for Southeast Alaska (including Juneau and Ketchikan) and Kodiak as of September 2025. Recent testing has found toxin levels in butter clams and other shellfish significantly above the FDA regulatory limit. This is an environmental hazard driven by harmful algal blooms, distinct from infectious disease outbreaks.
Botulism: Commercial vs. Traditional Risks
National Alert: A multi-state outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart infant formula has hospitalized 37 infants nationally. While Alaska is not currently listed as a primary state with confirmed cases from this specific cluster, the recall is active and relevant for Alaskan parents.
Local Context: This commercial alert exists alongside Alaska's endemic risk of botulism from traditional fermented foods. Health providers are on high alert to distinguish between these two potential sources.
Pertussis Case Comparison
*Data compares current outbreak peak to historical averages and the last major epidemic in 2012.
Respiratory Virus Watch (Nov 2025)
- Influenza A Rising Rapidly
- RSV Moderate / Increasing
- COVID-19 Low / Stable
Based on wastewater surveillance and hospital admission data.