Michigan Public Health Outbreak Report
Status: November 30, 2025 • Source: MDHHS, CDC, Local News
Critical Alert
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Cases have surged to nearly 1,000 YTD, a massive increase over 2023 levels.
Active Recall
E. coli O157:H7
Major ground beef recall (~167,000 lbs) linked to Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co.
Rising Concern
Measles
Multiple counties affected; linked to international travel and Ontario outbreaks.
Vaccine-Preventable Disease Resurgence
Michigan is currently grappling with a significant resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, a trend public health officials attribute to the "lingering effects" of pandemic-era vaccine fatigue and misinformation.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
As of late November 2025, confirmed cases have reached 966, with some reports estimating nearly 2,000 cases over the last 12 months. This represents a sharp deviation from the 110 cases recorded in all of 2023.
Visual comparison of 2023 vs. 2025 case volume intensity.
Measles
The state has confirmed approximately 18 cases in 2025, the highest number since the 2019 outbreak. Cases have been identified in Oakland, Kent, Macomb, Montcalm, and Grand Traverse counties.
- Origin: Linked to international travel and a large outbreak in Ontario, Canada.
- Status: Active monitoring.
- Public Health View: Officials emphasize that coverage gaps (MMR rates below 95%) are allowing these clusters to form.
Foodborne Illness & Recalls
Wolverine Packing Co. Ground Beef Recall
November 2025
A massive recall of approximately 167,000 pounds of ground beef products was issued in late November due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
Infant Formula Botulism
ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula has been recalled. As of late November, 37 infants across 17 states (including Michigan) have been hospitalized with botulism.
Moringa Powder Salmonella
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture testing confirmed Salmonella in a sample of Member's Mark Super Greens collected from a sick patient's home, linking it to a multistate outbreak.
Respiratory & Viral Trends
| Pathogen | Trend (Nov 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza | ? Rising | 1,538 patient visits for ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) reported in early Nov. |
| Norovirus | ? Rising | School closures reported (e.g., Wyandotte). 64 confirmed cases in one month. |
| COVID-19 | ? Falling | Hospital admissions trending down (114/week in mid-Nov). |
| H5N1 (Bird Flu) | ? Stable | Active in poultry (8 commercial flocks). No recent human cases; dairy strain "vanished." |
Contrasting Viewpoints: The Raw Milk Debate
A distinct tension exists in Michigan's current public health landscape regarding raw milk.
Legislative Push
New legislative efforts in late 2025 aim to legalize the sale of raw milk from dairies, driven by consumer demand for unprocessed foods and agricultural freedom advocates.
Public Health Warning
MDHHS and CDC officials strongly oppose this, citing the high risk of Campylobacter and E. coli. They point to the current H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy cows as a critical reason to maintain pasteurization mandates.