Pertussis outbreak mainly in unvaccinated young children in ultra-orthodox Jewish groups, Jerusalem, Israel 2023

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant public health concern despite vaccine availability.
• Control challenges persist, necessitating ongoing surveillance and intervention strategies.
• Vaccine-preventable diseases require continuous monitoring and targeted public health efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on a recent pertussis outbreak in Jerusalem.
• To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases during the outbreak.
• To identify high-risk populations and inform public health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case analysis of pertussis cases reported in Jerusalem.
• Data collection on patient demographics, vaccination status, hospitalization, and outcomes.
• Epidemiological analysis to determine incidence, age distribution, and risk factors.

Main Results:

• A pertussis outbreak occurred in Jerusalem between January and June 2023, with 257 cases.
• The majority of cases were young children, with 100 infants under one year old.
• Infants had a significantly higher hospitalization rate (24%) compared to older children (3.8%).
• One unvaccinated infant fatality occurred, linked to maternal lack of prenatal pertussis vaccination.
• Most affected children were unvaccinated and resided in specific ultra-orthodox neighborhoods.

Conclusions:

• The outbreak underscores the vulnerability of unvaccinated infants and young children to pertussis.
• Maternal vaccination during pregnancy is critical for protecting newborns against pertussis.
• Targeted vaccination campaigns and interventions are essential for pertussis control in at-risk communities.