Key points

In mainland France

• In 2023, an increase in incidence was observed for invasive infections caused by bacteria transmitted through the air and/or by contact: Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes. This increase confirmed the rebound observed in 2022 following two years of sharp decline amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

• For invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections, the incidence rate was nearly twice that of the previous year and significantly exceeded the rate typically observed before the pandemic, particularly among children under 10 years of age.

• The incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections among children under 5 remained higher than that measured before the pandemic, but declined in 2023 after four years of increases.

• The increase in the incidence of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae infections remained moderate, while that of Listeria monocytogenes infections was more pronounced.

In the French overseas departments and regions (excluding Mayotte)

• In 2023, levels were generally comparable to those before the pandemic.

• French Guiana had the highest incidence rates for invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes.

• Incidence rates of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae infections remained higher across all overseas departments and regions (DROM), excluding Mayotte, compared to mainland France.