Vaccine-preventable disease

There was an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) case numbers from late 2023, continuing into 2024, and peaking in June 2024. Case numbers in 2024 (n=7,050) were higher than annual case numbers associated with the last significant outbreak of pertussis in Scotland that occurred in 2012 and 2013. Twenty-four measles cases were reported in Scotland in 2024, most of which originated outside Scotland and the UK, reflecting increased measles activity in many countries worldwide.

Pertussis

Pertussis case numbers in Scotland began increasing from late 2023. Laboratory-confirmed cases peaked in June 2024 and have declined since.

There were 7,050 laboratory-confirmed cases in 2024: 1,084 cases in the first quarter and 3,765 cases in the second quarter, 1,890 cases in the third quarter and 311 cases in the fourth quarter. 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 cases laboratory-confirmed cases that year.

Measles, mumps and rubella

There were 24 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in 2024: six cases in the first quarter, eight cases in the second quarter, five cases in the third quarter and five cases in the fourth quarter. Of these 24 cases, 15 are thought to have been imported to Scotland (with four related to travel within the rest of the UK, and 11 related to travel outwith the UK), and with five further (secondary) cases resulting from contact with three of these imported cases. The remaining four cases were of unknown origin with no known epidemiological links to other cases or travel outwith Scotland.  The lack of onward transmission associated with the majority of 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 twelve cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in 2024: four cases in the first quarter, five cases in the second quarter, one case in the third quarter and two cases in the fourth quarter. 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 2024 were higher than the number of cases reported for the previous four years, but lower than case numbers for 2019 which is the last pre-COVID-19 pandemic year for which data are presented. Several cases of serogroup W and Y disease were reported in 2024, but most cases continue to be serogroup B disease (n=40). There were 56 cases of meningococcal disease reported in 2024. This compares with 52 cases in 2023, 29 in 2022, 17 in 2021, 33 in 2020, and 59 in 2019. 

Case numbers for invasive pneumococcal disease in 2024 were higher than those reported for the previous four years, but lower than the number of cases reported for the same period in 2019, which is the last full pre-COVID-19 pandemic year for which data are presented. There were 506 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease reported in 2024. This compares with 463 cases in 2023, 373 in 2022, 286 in 2021, 274 in 2020, and 610 in 2019.

Case numbers for invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in 2024 were lower than the number of cases reported in 2023, but higher than the number of cases reported for 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019. There were 87 invasive H. influenzae cases reported in 2024. This compares with 102 cases in 2023, 74 cases in 2022, 51 cases in 2021, 51 cases in 2020, and 83 cases in 2019.