Whooping cough: Public Health France warns of an increase in cases in France
Public Health France reports an increase in the circulation of whooping cough in France in the first quarter of 2024, indicates the health agency in a press release published Thursday. Whooping cough is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria. It is transmitted very easily by air. It is responsible for frequent and prolonged coughing fits, according to the website ameli.fr.
“The multiplication in the number of cases compared to 2023 and the sharp increase in grouped cases indicate a resumption of community circulation of the bacteria which could intensify in the coming months”, specifies the health authority. Since the start of the year, around fifteen clusters have been recorded, mainly in communities (nursery schools, primary schools, daycare centers and nursery homes). Others were recorded in family settings. In total, 70 cases were reported to Public Health France compared to 45 cases in 2022 and 39 cases in 2023.
Whooping cough evolves in cycles of resurgence every 3 to 5 years, explains SpF, which highlights six epidemic peaks in recent years: 1997, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. Infants too young to be vaccinated and adolescents and adults who have lost vaccine protection are the most affected populations, according to the health authority. “Vaccination is the only means of protection against whooping cough”, recalls SpF. The whooping cough vaccine is mandatory for infants with three injections required for children at ages 2, 4 and 11 months. Boosters are then necessary at 6 years old, then between 11 and 13 and from 25 years old. Vaccination of pregnant women is also recommended from the second trimester of pregnancy.
“The French situation is not comparable with that of our European neighbors and across the Atlantic”, however, underlines Public Health France. In some countries, notably Croatia, Denmark or the United Kingdom, health authorities “report several hundred cases per week since the last quarter of 2023”.
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