Pertussis outbreak in neonates and young infants across Italy, January to May 2024: implications for vaccination strategies

Since January 2024, Italy experiences a pertussis outbreak, primarily affecting neonates and unvaccinated infants at high risk of severe complications and mortality; 11 major paediatric centres noted 108 hospitalisations and three deaths by 10 May. The outbreak reflects increased circulation of and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles 2024-06, Vol.29 (23), p.1
Main Authors: Poeta, Marco, Moracas, Cristina, Albano, Chiara, Petrarca, Laura, Maglione, Marco, Pierri, Luca, Carta, Maurizio, Montaldo, Paolo, Venturini, Elisabetta, De Luca, Maia, Buonsenso, Danilo, Brambilla, Ilaria, Giacomet, Vania, Lo Vecchio, Andrea, Bruzzese, Eugenia, Midulla, Fabio, Colomba, Claudia, Guarino, Alfredo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bordetella pertussis - immunology
Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control
Epidemics
Female
Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Immunization
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Italy - epidemiology
Male
Newborn babies
Pediatrics
Pertussis Vaccine - administration & dosage
Pregnancy
Rapid Communication
Vaccination - statistics & numerical data
Whooping cough
Whooping Cough - epidemiology
Whooping Cough - prevention & control
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Summary:Since January 2024, Italy experiences a pertussis outbreak, primarily affecting neonates and unvaccinated infants at high risk of severe complications and mortality; 11 major paediatric centres noted 108 hospitalisations and three deaths by 10 May. The outbreak reflects increased circulation of and non-adherence to immunisation recommendations during pregnancy. Public health interventions, including maternal immunisation, vaccination of infants as early as possible and post-exposure prophylaxis, are critical for reducing the burden of pertussis and preventing further mortality.
ISSN:1025-496X
1560-7917
1560-7917
DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.23.2400301