Active Public Health Outbreaks in Virginia: November 2025 Status Report
As of late November 2025, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively managing a complex landscape of public health threats. The state is currently facing a "syndemic" of respiratory viruses, a historic surge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), and persistent food safety challenges linked to major national recalls.
?? Critical Alert: November 2025
New recalls issued for Boar's Head cheese products due to Listeria risk, compounding the massive deli meat crisis from earlier in the year. Respiratory virus activity is currently graded as High and trending upward.
HIGH ACTIVITY Respiratory Illnesses
Virginia is experiencing a sharp seasonal incline in respiratory infections. While COVID-19 remains relatively stable, Influenza and RSV are driving emergency department visits, particularly among children.
Emerging Concern: Pediatric Pneumonia
Since September 2024, VDH has tracked a significant rise in pneumonia diagnoses in children aged 0-17. This "White Lung" pneumonia wave is largely attributed to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and rhinoviruses, rather than a novel pathogen.
UNUSUAL SURGE Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease
A striking anomaly in 2025 is the explosion of HFMD cases. Typically a mild childhood illness, the volume of outbreaks this year has overwhelmed school districts and childcare centers.
- Primary Vector: K-12 Schools & Daycares (99% of cases).
- Contributing Factors: Warmer-than-average temperatures and humidity in late 2025, plus an "immunity gap" from lower transmission years.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Resurgence
Pertussis cases in Virginia have reached levels not seen since 2015. As of late 2025, case counts are approximately 500% higher than the previous year.
Hotspot: Northern Virginia (Fairfax Health District) has reported the highest concentration of cases. The outbreak is driven by waning immunity and outbreaks in high schools and religious communities.
Foodborne Illness & Environmental Threats
| Pathogen / Issue | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Listeria (Boar's Head) | Active Recall | Nov 2025 Update: Recall expanded to cheese products (Pecorino Romano). Follows a massive meat recall linked to a Jarratt, VA plant that caused 10 deaths nationwide. |
| Meningococcal (Serogroup Y) | Ongoing Monitoring | 36 confirmed cases (7 deaths) since outbreak start. Disproportionately affects Black adults (30-60y). A separate antibiotic-resistant strain is circulating in Northern VA. |
| Avian Flu (H5N1) | Surveillance | Detections in commercial poultry flocks (e.g., Accomack County). Human risk remains low, but VDH is monitoring wastewater and poultry workers closely. |
| E. coli (Lake Anna) | Resolved / Monitoring | Major outbreak in mid-2024 affecting children. No new clusters reported in late 2025, but water safety advisories remain in effect for certain areas. |
Data Discrepancies & Reporting Notes
VDH vs. CDC Data: You may notice discrepancies between state and federal reporting. VDH data is often more current for local outbreaks (like the HFMD surge), while CDC data aggregates nationally and may lag by 1-2 weeks. Additionally, "Syndromic Surveillance" (tracking ED visits for symptoms like "fever") often shows spikes before laboratory-confirmed case counts reflect the trend.