Outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia among shipyard workers in Marseille, France, January to February 2020

Euro Surveill. 2020 Mar;25(11):2000162. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.11.2000162.

Abstract

We report the third outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia within one year among workers in European shipyards. During January and February 2020, 37 cases of pneumonia were identified in a shipyard in Marseille, south-eastern France. Outbreak control measures were implemented, including a mass vaccination campaign with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine targeting all shipyard workers. Given the high mobility of shipyard workers, coordinated responses between European public health institutes are necessary to avoid further outbreaks.

Keywords: Outbreaks; contractors; invasive pneumococcal disease; pneumonia; shipyard.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Pneumococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / prevention & control
  • Public Health
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Pneumococcal Vaccines