An error has been noted in the text in the pertussis (whooping cough) section of previous reports concerning 2017 data. The error was in the text only and did not affect the underlying data or any of the published figures. All publications affected are in the process of being updated.

An error has been noted in the vaccine preventable diseases summary table for 2022 measles data in previous reports. This error affects this table only. Correct data and figures were reported in the surveillance update for measles. All publications affected are in the process of being updated.

Vaccine-preventable disease

There has been an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) case numbers since late 2023, continuing into the first quarter of 2024. Case numbers for the first quarter of 2024 alone are higher than annual case numbers for the last significant outbreak of pertussis in Scotland that occurred in 2012 and 2013. Several measles cases have been reported in Scotland, most of which have originated from outwith the UK reflecting increased measles activity in many countries worldwide in recent months.  There has also been an increase in meningococcal disease in the first quarter of 2024, with case numbers higher than those for the first quarter of the previous five years. Most cases continue to be serogroup B disease.

Pertussis

Pertussis case numbers in Scotland have been increasing since late 2023. There were 1,084 laboratory confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2024 alone. In 2023, there were 73 laboratory confirmed cases of pertussis, the majority of which (n=56) were reported in the final quarter of the year. Prior to 2024, the last significant outbreak in Scotland occurred in 2012 and 2013, with 1,896 and 1,188 laboratory confirmed cases per year, respectively. There was also increased pertussis activity in 2016, with 1,075 laboratory confirmed cases that year.

Measles, mumps and rubella

There were six laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in the first quarter of 2024. Of these cases, five are thought to have been imported and related to travel outwith the UK. One case was acquired in the UK and may have been related to one of the imported cases. The lack of onward transmission associated with these cases highlights the success of the MMR vaccination programme, the importance of maintaining high vaccine uptake in Scotland, and reflects the robust public health management of these cases.   

There were four cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in the first quarter of 2024.

There were 16 cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in 2023, seven cases in 2022 and one in 2021. This is a considerable reduction from the 864 cases reported in 2020 and 784 cases reported in 2019.

There have been no reported cases of rubella in Scotland since 2017.

Invasive bacterial diseases

Case numbers for meningococcal disease in the first quarter of 2024 were higher than those for the first quarter of the previous five years. Most cases continue to be serogroup B disease.

Case numbers for invasive pneumococcal disease in the first quarter of 2024 were higher than those reported for the same period of the previous four years, but lower than the number of cases reported for the same period in 2019, which is the last full pre-pandemic year for which data are presented.

Case numbers for invasive Haemophilus influenzae in the first quarter of 2024 were lower than the number of cases reported for the same period of 2023, 2020 and 2019, but higher than the number of cases reported for the first quarter of 2021 and 2022.

There were 27 cases of meningococcal disease reported in the first quarter of 2024. This compares with fifteen cases for the same period in 2023, nine in 2022, two in 2021 and 21 in both 2020 and 2019.   

There were 165 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease reported in the first quarter of 2024. This compares with 130 cases in the same period of 2023, 83 in 2022, 42 in 2021, 149 in 2020 and 223 in 2019.

There were 19 invasive H. influenzae cases reported in the first quarter of 2024. This compares with 33 cases for the same period in 2023, 15 cases in 2022, four cases in 2021, 25 cases in 2020 and 23 cases in 2019.