First antibiotic-resistant pertussis strain identified in Finland

For the first time in Finland, an antibiotic-resistant strain of pertussis has been identified, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The strain was detected during studies conducted at the University of Turku’s national pertussis and diphtheria expert laboratory and was isolated in the Helsinki metropolitan area in July of this year.

So far this year, 400 bacterial strains have been tested, and one of them has shown antibiotic resistance. THL states that the discovery of a macrolide-resistant strain is a positive indication that surveillance systems in Finland are functioning effectively.

Most pertussis cases occur in children. The THL highlighted that macrolide antibiotic resistance has rapidly increased in China in recent years, making the arrival of such strains in Europe unsurprising. This year, Europe has reported isolated cases of antibiotic-resistant pertussis.

Pertussis has spread in an epidemic-like manner across Finland this year. As of October 28, the national infectious disease registry records a total of 2,188 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis, with the highest number occurring among 10 to 14-year-olds. The disease can be life-threatening for infants under one year, particularly for newborns who have not yet received any vaccinations against pertussis or whose mothers were not vaccinated during pregnancy. Since August, THL has recommended a booster dose of the pertussis vaccine for pregnant women.