Key Points

• The year 2024 was marked by the resurgence of pertussis in France, with a significant increase in the number of cases across the country.

• The resumption of bacterial circulation following the COVID-19 pandemic occurred later than expected compared to other respiratory diseases, and was surprising in its unprecedented scale and intensity.

• All epidemiological indicators have been rising steadily since the beginning of the year and then stabilized at very high levels during the summer, with a peak reached in July–August depending on the indicator.

  • In primary care

    • An estimated 162,612 [95% CI: 149,112; 176,112] cases seen in general practice consultations, as reported by the Sentinelles network;

    • A total of 9,817 SOS Médecins calls for pertussis.

  • In hospitals

    • 7,012 emergency department visits for pertussis;

    • 1,471 hospitalizations following emergency department visits;

    • The RENACOQ network reported 500 infants (provisional data) under 12 months of age who were hospitalized.

• Activity data from clinical laboratories (3Labos Network) reported 188,539 tests performed, including 38,847 positive PCR results, representing an annual positivity rate (PR) of 20.6%.

• 46 deaths were reported: 24 children (21 under 1 year of age) and 22 adults (15 aged 80 and older).

• The CNR identified 17 patients infected with a macrolide-resistant strain of B. pertussis, representing a prevalence of 1.9%.

• Among women who gave birth in 2024, vaccination coverage (at least 1 dose) was estimated at 62.3%, compared with 43.4% for those who gave birth in 2023, representing an 18.9-point increase in coverage.