[Epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in Vojvodina].
BACKGROUND
In the preimmunization era, pertussis was one of the most common respiratory diseases in children in Vojvodina.


METHODS
This paper deals with effects of immunization against pertussis in Vojvodina and its epidemiological characteristics during the last 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The average incidence rate for the preimmunization era (1948-1960) was 122/100.000. During the period of immunization, the incidence rate has been continuously declining. During the period from 1995 till 2004, average incidence rate was 0,2/100.000 There were 125 registered deaths caused by pertussis in the preimmunization era, and 13 deaths in the immunization period. The last case of death caused by pertussis occurred in 1970. Pertussis vaccination coverage in Vojvodina has been above 95% for a long period of time. Pertussis is still reported, mostly in individual cases. Since 2003, it was registered in children younger than 24 months. During the last decade, 82% of cases were unimmunized children. The majority of affected were infants (59%) and children from 12 to 24 months of age (15%). Pertussis is.registered in small children due to delayed immunization and in school children due to loss of immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
Favourable epidemiological situation of pertussis in Vojvodina is the result of high immunization coverage. The disease is most frequently registered in individual cases, in unimmunized infants and small children. Mild cases of pertussis remain unrecognized in older age groups, in previously immunized children. It is necessary to improve surveillance and laboratory diagnostics of pertussis in order to monitor the epidemiological situation and to provide timely investigation and control of pertussis.
Petrović
Vladimir
V
Institut za zastitu zdravlja Novi Sad.
Durić
Predrag
P
Stefanović
Slavica
S
D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D014611:Vaccination; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology
D010567:Pertussis Vaccine