Investigation of a cluster of acute epiglottitis in Vendée, western France, October – December 2022

Abstract

Objectives

In our investigation of an episode of clustered acute epiglottitis occurring in Vendée, western France, between October and December 2022, we described the reported cases and confirmed its unusual character at several geographic levels.

Methods

The investigation relied on three data sources: hospitalization and emergency department reports; national reference centre data; and data from the French syndromic surveillance system.

Results

The six patients were male, with an average age of 42 years [32–66]; all were hospitalized in an ICU, and one of them died. Documented risk factors for epiglottitis (active smoking, regular alcohol consumption, overweight) were present in the majority of cases. No causal pathogen was identified. Syndromic surveillance data confirmed increased acute epiglottitis at the local, regional and national levels.

Conclusion

We not only characterized the episode of serious clustered acute epiglottitis in Vendée, but also observed a nationwide increase in this pathology occurring concomitantly with increased circulation in France of streptococcus A.