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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.
2010:
Ten cases in children under 5 years were reported with one death.
Serotyping results were: serotype a – 1 case; serotype f – 2 cases;
and the remaining 7 cases were untypable. Nine of the 10
cases were hospitalized, with 6 requiring admission to an intensive care unit.
Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance
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To correctly identify the serotype of invasive Haemophilus influenzae (HI)
organisms in children under 5 years old.
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To monitor the effectiveness of immunization programs and vaccines and to assess
progress toward elimination of pediatric H. influenzae serotype B (Hib)
invasive disease
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To identify children exposed to Hib cases and closely observe them for signs of illness
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To recommend antibiotic prophylaxis and/or immunization to appropriate contacts of Hib cases
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To identify additional cases and establish risk factors for cases of non-Hib invasive
H. influenzae disease.
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care providers:
immediately
notifiable to local health jurisdiction;
only cases under 5 years old are reportable
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Health care facilities:
immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction;
only cases under 5 years old are reportable
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Laboratories:
immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction;
only cases under 5 years old are reportable;
specimen submission is required — culture, from sterile sites only, when type is unknown (2 business days)
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Local health jurisdictions:
notifiable to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease Epidemiology
(CDE) within 7 days of case investigation completion or summary information required within 21 days.
Last update
December 2011 |
