Active Public Health Outbreaks in the District of Columbia
As of late November 2025, the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively monitoring several public health threats. While respiratory virus activity remains relatively low compared to national peaks, the District is experiencing specific localized outbreaks of Mpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). Additionally, local health officials are maintaining vigilance regarding national recalls for infant formula and foodborne illnesses, though some high-profile multistate outbreaks have not yet resulted in confirmed cases within the District itself.
?? Critical Active Local Outbreaks
- Mpox (Clade II): Confirmed surge in cases. 49 cases reported in 2025 (as of Oct 21), with a sharp increase of 35 cases occurring between August and October alone.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Significant uptick in pediatric cases. 197 emergency department visits were attributed to HFMD in September 2025.
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Rising trend. Provisional data indicates 22 cases in DC for 2024-2025, reflecting a national return to pre-pandemic infection levels.
??? National Alerts & Monitoring
- Infant Botulism: Multistate outbreak linked to ByHeart infant formula. No cases reported in DC to date, but the recall is active and critical for caregivers.
- Measles: One confirmed travel-related case occurred in June 2025. No active local transmission is currently reported, but vigilance is high due to national outbreaks.
- Salmonella: Outbreak linked to Metabolic Meals. Reports of a "Washington" case refer to Washington State, not DC.
Detailed Outbreak Analysis
| Disease / Threat | Status in DC | Key Data Points (Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Mpox (Clade II) | Active Surge | 71% of the year's 49 cases occurred in the last 3 months. Primary risk group remains unvaccinated men who have sex with men. |
| Hand, Foot, & Mouth | Elevated Activity | High volume of pediatric ER visits (197 in Sept). Affects mostly children under 5. |
| Respiratory (Flu/COVID/RSV) | Low / Very Low | CDC classifies DC respiratory illness activity as "Very Low." Flu is "Low" but showing early seasonal increases. |
| West Nile Virus | Environmental Detection | Positive samples detected in wild birds in August 2025. No widespread human cluster reported. |
Contrasting Data Sources & Clarifications
Discrepancies often arise in public reporting due to geographic confusion and reporting lags. A primary point of confusion in current national reports involves the Salmonella outbreak linked to home delivery meals. While CDC data lists a case in "Washington," state-level data confirms this is a resident of Washington State (WA), not the District of Columbia.
Furthermore, while national news outlets highlight a "surge" in respiratory viruses, local DC data presents a calmer picture. The CDC's Respiratory Virus Activity Level for DC is currently "Very Low," contrasting with "High" activity levels seen in some Southeastern states. However, DC Health's own surveillance notes that while overall levels are low, the trend for influenza is increasing, aligning with seasonal expectations.
Note on Data Latency: Public health data is provisional and subject to change. The figures for Mpox and HFMD represent the most recent confirmed surveillance reports from DC Health as of late October/November 2025.