Active Public Health Outbreaks in Alabama
Surveillance Report • November 30, 2025
Critical Alert
Measles Return
First confirmed case since 2002 identified in North Alabama (Aug 2025).
Ongoing Surge
Pertussis
Cases remain elevated following a 300% spike in late 2024.
Seasonal Status
Moderate
Alabama is one of 3 states with "Moderate" respiratory virus activity.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Resurgence
Alabama is currently managing a sustained resurgence of Pertussis (whooping cough). The outbreak gained significant momentum in late 2024, where cases jumped from 41 in the previous year to over 123 confirmed cases. As of late 2025, activity remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Affected Areas: School-based clusters have been the primary driver, specifically in Madison, Limestone, Lauderdale, Jackson, Dallas, and Baldwin counties.
Contrasting Viewpoints: While the ADPH emphasizes vaccination compliance (Tdap boosters), local parent groups have expressed concern over the speed of school notifications during the initial clusters at Creekside Elementary and UAH.
Case Surge Comparison (Year-over-Year)
*2025 data indicates sustained elevated levels.
Syphilis & Congenital Syphilis Crisis
Alabama is experiencing a "record high" increase in syphilis cases, with a 167% increase observed over the last five-year reporting period. The crisis is two-fold: a general community surge and a specific, controversial outbreak within the state correctional system.
Correctional Facility Outbreak
Screenings at Staton Correctional Facility revealed 62 new syphilis cases and 10 HIV cases in a single sweep.
Conflict: Advocacy groups like Alabama Appleseed have criticized the Department of Corrections for a lack of transparency, alleging that the true scope of the outbreak was only revealed after external inquiries, whereas official channels initially deferred to standard protocols.
Congenital Syphilis
The rate of congenital syphilis (passed from mother to child) has reached historic highs. ADPH has issued alerts to prenatal providers urging mandatory testing at the first trimester and again at 28 weeks to combat this preventable tragedy.
Measles (Rubeola)
First Case Since 2002
Date: August 25, 2025
Details: Unvaccinated child (<5 years) in North Alabama. Infection acquired internationally.
Status: Contact tracing completed; no secondary transmission confirmed yet, but vigilance is high due to global outbreaks.
Respiratory Season (Flu/RSV)
As of late November 2025, Alabama is an outlier with "Moderate" activity while most of the U.S. remains "Low."
Active Monitoring & Recalls
- Infant Botulism: Multistate outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. No confirmed cases in Alabama as of Nov 17, 2025, but ADPH is actively monitoring for potential local cases.
- E. coli: While historical outbreaks (Little Rosie's, 2007) often appear in search, the current concern is limited to sporadic pediatric cases in Northeastern Alabama and national ground beef alerts issued earlier in 2024.