Pertussis Epidemiology in Iran, 2006-2009

Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection with chronic paroxissmal cough. After initiation of EPI program in Iran in 1984 with more than 95% coverage of target group, burden of pertussis decreased dramaticaly in the country. In this article we discussed in detail on epidemiological aspects of pertussis in the country. According to the national guidelines for surveillance of pertussis, nasopharyngial specimen has been taken from all suspected cases and sent on transport media for lab confirmation to the Pasture Institute of Iran. Overall, 2052 suspected cases reported to the district health centers in the period of the study. The most prevalent age groups were less than 2 month, 2-11 month and 1-4 y with 22%, 36% and 24% respectively and just 10% were in above 10. 71% lived in urban areas and proportion of male and female was approximately equal. The cases reported mainly in spring and summer.In totally, 1629 clinical specimen tested in laboratory with 18 positive culture and 141 positive by RT-PCR. Detection rate of suspect and confirmed pertussis cases is increasing in Iran. Althogth 90% of cases were in less than 5 y/o, however it could be due to low suspision rate of physicians to pertussis in approach of adults with chronic cough.