Active Public Health Outbreaks in Louisiana
As of November 30, 2025, Louisiana is navigating a complex public health landscape characterized by a resurgence of vector-borne diseases, persistent sexual health crises, and the onset of the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. Data from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the CDC highlights significant activity in West Nile Virus, a record year for Vibrio vulnificus infections, and ongoing challenges with congenital syphilis.
Respiratory Virus Watch
Season: 2025-2026 (Week 48)
Above regional baseline of 4.1%
Critical Alert: Vibrio Vulnificus
2025 has seen a sharp increase in "flesh-eating bacteria" infections linked to coastal waters and raw seafood.
Respiratory Viral Trends & The "Tripledemic"
Influenza: Flu activity is accelerating early in the 2025-2026 season. As of late November, the test positivity rate has climbed to 11.4%, significantly crossing the regional baseline. While pediatric deaths have been reported nationally, Louisiana has not yet recorded a pediatric flu death for this specific season, though surveillance remains heightened following the previous season's impact.
COVID-19: The state faced a severe surge in August 2025 driven by the "Nimbus" (NB.1.8.1) and "Stratus" (XFG) variants, which pushed Louisiana's wastewater viral loads to the highest in the nation. Currently, activity has stabilized to "low" levels, but medical experts remain divided on federal vaccination guidelines. New recommendations limiting the 2025-2026 booster to adults over 65 and high-risk groups have drawn criticism from local physicians who advocate for broader protection.
The Syphilis Epidemic
Louisiana continues to battle a severe syphilis epidemic, ranking 7th in the nation for congenital syphilis. The crisis is most acute in the New Orleans (Region 1) and Baton Rouge (Region 2) metropolitan areas.
- Rate: 193 cases per 100,000 live births.
- Disparity: Black mothers and young adults (ages 20-24) are disproportionately affected.
- Response: The "Get It On Nola" campaign has been launched to reduce stigma and increase screening.
Emerging Environmental & Foodborne Alerts
| Outbreak / Threat | Status (Nov 2025) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| West Nile Virus | Active & Spreading | Confirmed in 14 parishes. First 2025 case in Livingston Parish. |
| Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | Statewide Increase | LDH Health Alert 25-2 issued citing a notable rise in cases. |
| Infant Botulism | Product Recall | Linked to ByHeart Infant Formula (Health Alert 25-6). |
| Listeria & Salmonella | Multi-state Investigations | Recent cases linked to Chicken Alfredo (Listeria) and Eggs (Salmonella). |
*Data reflects the latest available surveillance reports from the Louisiana Department of Health and CDC as of November 30, 2025. Case counts for the 2025-2026 respiratory season are preliminary and subject to retrospective updates.