Active Public Health Outbreaks in Oklahoma: November 2025 Report
CRITICAL ALERT: Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1)
Status: Active & Expanding
A significant outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1), including the neurological strain (EHM), is currently affecting Oklahoma. Traced to a rodeo event in Waco, Texas (Nov 5-9, 2025), cases have been confirmed in Oklahoma, Mayes, Payne, and Logan counties.
Barrel Futurities of America World Championship at Lazy E Arena (Guthrie) canceled.
H5N1 Avian Influenza
Status: Persistent Surveillance
Confirmed positive cases in backyard flocks in Grady and McClain counties as of mid-November 2025. While the CDC maintains the public health risk is "low," the virus's persistence in dairy cattle and sporadic human cases (including a fatality in neighboring Louisiana earlier this year) keeps health officials on high alert.
Respiratory Season (Flu/RSV)
Status: Early Season Rise
RSV activity is increasing across the South, specifically impacting children aged 0-4. Influenza levels are "low but rising."
Data Discrepancy: Official CDC clinical data reporting has been impacted by a federal government shutdown in late 2025, leaving wastewater monitoring as a more current indicator than hospital reporting.
Detailed Analysis: The Data Gap & Conflicting Viewpoints
A critical finding in the November 2025 public health landscape is a divergence in data sources due to administrative disruptions. While state-level alerts from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) remain active for specific outbreaks like EHV-1, national respiratory data streams have faced interruptions.
Official Clinical Data (CDC/State)
- Reports "Low" activity for COVID-19 and Flu nationally.
- Relies on hospital admission data which has lagged due to the reported government shutdown in late 2025.
- Viewpoint: Focuses on hospital capacity and severe outcomes, currently suggesting a manageable start to the winter season.
Wastewater & Private Surveillance (Biobot)
- Indicates increasing viral loads for RSV and Influenza A in the Southern region.
- Highlights a "blind spot" in clinical data since late September 2025.
- Viewpoint: Suggests community transmission is higher than official case counts imply, urging earlier preventative caution.
Ongoing Chronic Health Challenges
| Disease | Current Status (Nov 2025) | Primary Risk Group | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syphilis (Congenital) | Severe, long-term surge. Oklahoma rates remain among the highest in the nation. | Newborns, Native American communities | ? Critical |
| West Nile Virus | Season ending. 53 confirmed cases in 2025. | Adults > 50, Outdoor workers | ? Declining |
| Measles | Sporadic. 1,798 US cases in 2025; OK listed as having cases but no active massive cluster in Nov. | Unvaccinated children, Travelers | ? Stable/Vigilant |
Timeline: November 2025 EHV-1 Outbreak
Nov 5-9, 2025
Exposure Event
WPRA World Finals in Waco, TX. Horses from multiple states exposed.
Nov 19-21, 2025
Oklahoma Detections
Positive cases confirmed in Oklahoma, Mayes, and Payne counties. Neurologic signs (EHM) observed.
Nov 22, 2025
Major Cancellation
Barrel Futurities of America World Championship at Lazy E Arena canceled to prevent spread.
Respiratory Virus Threat Level (Oklahoma)
Based on wastewater signal & available emergency department data as of Nov 30, 2025.