The situation is becoming worrying in France with the resurgence of whooping cough, according to the latest figures from the health authorities. The report reveals fatal cases since the beginning of the year.
17 deaths in total
The latest data from health authorities show a notable resurgence of whooping cough in France. This respiratory infection caused by bacteria has led to the death of 14 children since the start of 2024. It is transmitted very easily by air, mainly within families or in communities. “Since January 2024 and until June 26, 2024 (…), a total of 17 deaths have been found: among them, 3 adults over 85 years old (in two regions) and 14 children under 15 years old (distributed in seven regions)”the health agency said in an epidemiological report. Among the children who died were twelve infants aged one to two months, too young to be vaccinated. Vaccination of pregnant women is strongly recommended, as it allows antibodies to be transmitted to the newborn, protecting him until he is old enough to receive the vaccine.
Increase in emergency visits
The number of deaths recorded this year therefore exceeds the total death toll recorded during the previous peak in 2017, reports 20 Minutes. The year 2017 was until then the deadliest for this age group since 2015. The circulation of the bacteria responsible for the whooping cough was particularly intense during the first half of 2024. The number of cases is already higher than that of the whole of 2023. This resurgence of whooping cough cases in France resulted in a significant increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The Renacoq network, a hospital monitoring system, counted 80 cases of infants under 12 months hospitalized during the first six months of 2024. The figure represents almost double the cases recorded throughout 2023.
Deaths in Europe
Public Health France indicates that the scale and duration of this epidemic cycle cannot be predicted. France experienced epidemic peaks in 1997, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2012-2013, and 2017-2018. At European level, 19 deaths due to whooping cough, including 11 of infants, were noted during the first three months of 2024, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This report does not include French deaths. Globally, this disease causes approximately 40 million cases and 300,000 deaths each year, highlighting the importance of prevention and vaccination to protect the most vulnerable populations.
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