Key Points

• The decline in the number of emergency room visits for suspected pertussis observed over the past several weeks continues. These visits primarily involve children (those under 15 and under 1 account for 72% and 28% of visits, respectively, since the beginning of 2024), with a higher hospitalization rate among those under 1 (68%).

• A gradual and slow decrease in the number of suspected pertussis cases seen by the region’s four SOS Médecins associations over the past few weeks (Montpellier, Toulouse, Nîmes, and Perpignan).

• A sharp decrease in September 2024 in the number of PCR-confirmed pertussis cases and the positivity rate, according to data from three laboratories (incomplete data for October) (Source: Eurofins-Biomnis and Cerba).

• Stability in the number of reports to the ARS Occitanie by healthcare professionals of isolated or clustered cases of pertussis on a weekly basis since early September (last week incomplete). Since early 2024, reports have involved all departments.

• Vaccination coverage with the hexavalent vaccine among infants born in 2022 and aged 21 months who received 3 doses of the vaccine was over 91% in Occitanie, close to the national level (pertussis epidemiological update of 06/28/2024).