Disease surveillance is an essential component of prevention and control.

PHS publishes a quarterly report on vaccine-preventable diseases under surveillance in Scotland, including data on diseases including pertussis (whooping cough), measles, meningococcal disease, polio and invasive pneumococcal disease.

The latest release, published on 4 June 2024, includes data to the end of quarter one of 2024.

The report presents data showing that there has been an increase in pertussis case numbers since late 2023, continuing into the first quarter of 2024, consistent with increases in pertussis cases seen across the UK and in Europe more widely.

The report also shows that there were six cases of measles in the first quarter of 2024, most of which were imported from outside the UK. These cases occurred in the context of a resurgence of measles across Europe.

The next quarterly release will be published on 3 September 2024.

Weekly updates on measles and pertussis case numbers in Scotland are available on the PHS website. Note that these figures are provisional and subject to change.