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Pertussis epidemic in Denmark, August 2023 to February 2024

Anne Christine Nordholm1, Hanne-Dorthe Emborg1, Sarah Kristine Nørgaard1

  • 1Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen Sur Les Maladies Transmissibles = European Communicable Disease Bulletin
|April 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Denmark is experiencing a record pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic, with high adolescent incidence. A new vaccination program for pregnant women aims to protect vulnerable infants from severe disease.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Denmark has observed a significant increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases since August 2023, marking a record epidemic.
  • While adolescents show the highest incidence, infants aged 0-2 months are particularly vulnerable, with over half hospitalized and one fatality in this recent outbreak.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on the characteristics and severity of the ongoing pertussis epidemic in Denmark.
  • To highlight the critical need for enhanced infant protection strategies against pertussis.
  • To inform about the implementation of maternal pertussis vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Surveillance data analysis of pertussis incidence across different age groups.
  • Assessment of hospitalization and mortality rates among infants during the epidemic.
  • Description of the introduction of a national pertussis vaccination program for pregnant women.

Main Results:

  • Record high pertussis incidence reported since August 2023.
  • Adolescents exhibit the highest incidence; infant incidence is lower than in 2019 and 2016 epidemics.
  • Infants aged 0-2 months experienced high hospitalization rates (29/48) and one death, indicating severe disease.

Conclusions:

  • The current pertussis epidemic underscores the severe risk to young infants.
  • Maternal pertussis vaccination, introduced in January 2024, is a crucial strategy to protect newborns.
  • Enhanced surveillance for vaccination in pregnant women is essential for program effectiveness.

Keywords:
Bordetella pertussisepidemiologypublic healthrespiratory infectionsurveillancewhooping cough

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