Clinical characteristics of cases during the 2024 pertussis epidemic in France, January 2024 to December 2024

Abstract

The French national surveillance of pertussis consists of several units, including general practitioners (GPs). Here, we report on the clinical characteristics of cases from January to December 2024 from primary care surveillance in France. During this period, a total of 689 pertussis cases were reported by GPs participating in the surveillance. The national incidence rate in general practice was estimated to be 244 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95 % CI: 224-264). Sixty-one per cent of cases were female and 86 % had received at least one dose of pertussis vaccine. Among cases vaccinated with at least three doses, 77 % had been vaccinated for less than 5 years. The median age of the cases was 13 years, with children aged 1 to 6 years old being the most affected population. We reported here an increase in the incidence of pertussis in primary care in France since the beginning of 2024, peaking in July 2024. The characteristics of the cases appear to have shifted towards younger age and a higher proportion of individuals who had received at least one dose of the pertussis vaccine in their lifetime, regardless of whether it was administered according to the recommended schedule, compared with previous outbreaks. This study highlights the need for timely vaccination, especially in the young population.

Keywords: Bordetella pertussis infection; Epidemics; France; Pertussis; Pertussis vaccine; Physicians; Surveillance.