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Cause:
Bacterium Haemophilus
influenzae. Invasive disease due to any of the 6
capsular types, including type b (Hib) in a child under 5
years of age, is reportable.
Illness and treatment:
Invasive
syndromes can include meningitis, bacteremia, epiglottitis,
pneumonia, or bone and joint infections. Symptoms of
meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting,
light sensitivity and confusion. About 10% of cases
surviving H. influenzae meningitis have permanent
neurological damage. Treatment is with antibiotics.
Sources:
Humans, including
asymptomatic carriers, are the reservoir and transmit
through respiratory droplets or direct contact.
Additional risks:
Unimmunized or underimmunized infants and children are at
risk, especially when they are taken into crowded settings.
Prevention:
Immunization of all infants prevents H. influenzae
type b infection. Respiratory and hand hygiene prevent
transmission.
Recent Washington trends:
4 to 13 cases
(due to all serotypes) are reported annually in children
under 5 years of age.
2008:
Two cases in children under
5 years were reported with no deaths. Both were untypable.
Both of these cases were hospitalized, with one requiring
admission to an intensive care unit.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To correctly identify
the serotype of invasive Haemophilus influenzae
organisms in children under 5 years old
- To monitor the
effectiveness of immunization programs and vaccines and to
assess progress toward elimination of H. influenzae
serotype B (Hib)
- To identify children
exposed to Hib cases and closely observe them for signs of
illness
- To recommend antibiotic
prophylaxis and/or immunization to appropriate contacts of
Hib cases
- To identify additional
cases and establish risk factors for non-Hib cases
Legal Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: immediately notifiable to
local health jurisdiction; only cases under 5 years old
are reportable
- Hospitals: immediately notifiable to local health
jurisdiction; only cases under 5 years old are
reportable
- Laboratories: no
legal requirements for reporting (see Section C2 below)
- Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease
Epidemiology Section (CDES) within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days
Last
update
November 2009 |
