Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause serious invasive illness such as meningitis, bacteremia, epiglottitis, and pneumonia. Hib infection is spread primarily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Prior to the introduction of Hib conjugate vaccine in 1987, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis (causing over 20,000 cases per year), and a major cause of other serious bacterial infections among children under five years of age in the United States. After 1987, Hib cases rapidly declined, and invasive disease due to Hib is rare today. Non-typeable H. influenzae is rarely responsible for serious illness, but is a common cause of ear infections in children. Invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae is only reportable in children less than five years of age.

• For parents: Is your child protected against Hib disease?, CDC
• Hib vaccine information statement, CDC
  
• Vaccine Information You Need, Immunization Action Coalition

• Hib technical information, CDC
• Clinical information on Hib, CDC

Purpose of surveillance:

• To facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis of cases of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) disease for investigation
• To identify contacts of persons with Hib infection, and ensure administration of appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis
• To monitor the occurrence of invasive disease due to non-serotype b H. influenzae

Local epidemiology:

No cases of invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae were reported in 2012.

Each year in Washington State there is between 4 and 13 cases reported.