Pertussis in Poland in 2014.

Introduction: In Poland, they are still recorded high number of cases whooping cough - five-year median for 2005-2009 and 2010-2014 are similar and amount to 5.2 and 5.5 per 100 000 population. The trend of the incidence of pertussis in a high percentage of adults that was observed in years between 2009-2011 (the results of the National Research Epidemiology of Pertussis), in subsequent years, ie. 2012-2014 was halted. Still the most effective strategy to prevent illness is the vaccination according to the current vaccination calendar.

The Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of pertussis in Poland in 2014, including vaccine coverage of children.

Materials And Methods: Assessment of the epidemiology of pertussis in Poland was based on analysis of individual reports of suspected cases of pertussis sent to the NIPH-NIH by the regional sanitaryepidemiological stations, data from the bulletin “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2011” and bulletin “Immunizations in Poland in 2014 “ (MP Czarkowski et al, Warsaw 2015, NIPH-NIH, GIS).

Results: In 2014, number of registered cases of whooping cough was 2 100. The incidence was 5.5 per 100,000 and it was slightly lower than in the previous year (5.5/100,000). The highest incidence (46%) occurred in children aged 15 years and older. 601 people were hospitalised (28.6% of total). In 2014, there were no deaths from whooping cough.

Summary And Conclusions: The incidence of whooping cough observed in 2014 is comparable to the previous year and it indicates a fixed circulation of bacteria in the environment and still continuing infection vulnerability of the population.