THE RESURGENCE OF PERTUSSIS IN PRIMARY PAEDIATRIC PRACTICE DURING MARCH 2024 TO MARCH 2025 .CHARACTERISTICS OF CASES.

Background: Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection and remains a public health issue despite vaccination. Pertussis, has been resurging worldwide in several developed countries.The aim of the study was to assess the cases of pertussis from March 2024 to March 2025 in private practice and to compare the situation in previous years.Method: We are reporting on the clinical characteristics of cases with pertussis for 12 months. During this period, the cases were detected by examination of nasopharyngeal aspirate for Bordetella pertussis DNA.Results: During this period, a total of 20 cases of pertussis were detected. 58 percent of cases were female, and only 25 percent had received at least one dose of the pertussis vaccine. 65 percent of cases were unvaccinated. Two children were fully vaccinated. The median age of the cases was 10 years, with a range 21 months to 17 years. Only one child age 21 months was admitted to hospital with paroxysmal cough and followed by inspiratory whoop. All the other cases suffering from mild symptoms, mostly having cough and temperature. We reported no cases of pertussis in previous years in our practice.Conclusion: The characteristics of the cases with pertussis appear to have shifted towards older age and towards a higher proportion of non-vaccinated in their lifetime.This study highlights the need for further effort to undestand the burden of pertussis in primary paediatric practice and to improve vaccination strategies in older children.