Key Points

• The situation in Occitanie is part of a national and European context of a resurgence of pertussis, which was expected but is of high intensity, following very low circulation from 2020 to 2022 (Santé publique France, Epidemiological Bulletin in France of June 28, 2024, ECDC).

• The marked increase in the number of emergency room visits for suspected pertussis has continued over the past few weeks, primarily affecting children (those under 15 and under 1 year of age account for 74% and 31% of visits, respectively, since the beginning of 2024), with the highest hospitalization rate among those under 1 year of age (74%).

• Continued sharp increase in suspected pertussis cases seen by the four SOS Médecins associations in the region (Montpellier, Toulouse, Nîmes, and Perpignan) over the past few weeks.

• In June 2024, the significant increase in the positivity rate of pertussis PCR tests continued, according to data from three laboratories (Biomnis and Cerba) (incomplete data for July 2024).

• Continued increase in reports to the Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS) by healthcare professionals of isolated or clustered pertussis cases in June 2024, in nearly all departments.

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