Active Public Health Outbreaks in Texas
As of late November 2025, the public health landscape in Texas is dominated by a significant resurgence of Pertussis (whooping cough), which has reached an 11-year high. While the state has successfully closed the chapter on a major measles outbreak from earlier in the year, vigilance remains high for respiratory viruses as the winter season begins. Concurrently, agricultural sectors are managing persistent avian influenza detections in dairy cattle.
?? High Alert: Pertussis Surge
Texas is currently experiencing a statewide outbreak of Pertussis, with case numbers quadrupling compared to the previous year.
*Data current through October 2025. Health officials attribute the surge to waning immunity and declining vaccination rates.
?? Agricultural Threat: Avian Flu (H5N1)
While human risk remains low, the virus continues to circulate in the Texas agricultural sector.
- Cattle Status: Active. A new detection in a Texas dairy herd was confirmed in September 2025, ending a lull since May.
- Human Cases: 1 confirmed case earlier in 2025 (linked to dairy exposure). No new active human clusters reported in November.
- Advisory: Strict biosecurity urged for dairy and poultry workers.
Respiratory Virus Surveillance (Nov 9–15, 2025)
| Virus | Activity Level | Trend | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza (Flu) | LOW | Stable / Sporadic | Sporadic positive tests reported; activity is local rather than widespread. |
| RSV | MODERATE | Stable | Weekly visit counts are stable (~213/week in major metros), lower than 2024 peaks. |
| COVID-19 | LOW | Increasing Slowly | Wastewater data in hubs like Houston shows low but rising viral levels. |
Infant Botulism
Active Investigation: Cases in Texas have been linked to a nationwide recall of "ByHeart" brand powdered infant formula. Parents are urged to check lot numbers immediately.
Mpox
Low Level Transmission: Ongoing low-level spread continues, with Houston reporting ~8 new cases in the 30 days leading up to Nov 17, 2025.
Measles
Outbreak Ended: The major West Texas outbreak (762 cases) was declared over in August 2025. However, sporadic new cases (e.g., 2 in June) require continued monitoring.