DOH Logo linking to the DOH Home Page

Notifiable Conditions logo

Blue Line Image
You are here: DOH Home » Notifiable Conditions » HUS  Index Search | Employees
 Site Directory:    Notifiable Conditions: HUS

Other links concerning Notifiable Conditions

Posters
Associated Programs

PDF documents require the free Acrobat Reader. Click here to download a copy.

Access Washington Logo linking to Access Washington Home Page

     

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)


Cause: Complication of infection with Shiga toxin-producing bacteria, most commonly E. coli O157:H7. HUS following a diarrheal illness is reported in Washington as suspect Enterohemorrhagic E. coli.

Illness and treatment: HUS includes hemolytic anemia (identified microscopically) and kidney damage. Most persons recover with supportive treatment, but some have permanent kidney damage or die from complications.

Sources: For enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) sources include cattle and other animals including deer and horses; known sources are unpasteurized milk, undercooked ground beef and contaminated raw produce. There can be person-to-person transmission of EHEC.

Additional risks: Children are at particular risk for developing HUS as a complication of diarrheal illness caused by a Shiga toxin-producing organism. Using antibiotics to treat EHEC diarrhea may increase the risk of developing HUS.

Prevention: Wash hands thoroughly after contact with farm animals, visiting farm environments, and handling raw meat. Thoroughly cook ground beef and venison and wash preparation areas to avoid contaminating other foods. Wash produce thoroughly before eating.

Recent Washington trends: Each year there are 1 to 6 reports.

2008: There were 2 cases of HUS that did not follow a diarrheal illness. 12 cases of HUS following a diarrheal illness are included as EHEC.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

  • To identify hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases as possible indicators of E. coli O157:H7 cases in the community, since HUS is a severe complication of infection with E. coli O157:H7 or less commonly other pathogens.

  • To identify outbreaks and potential sources of ongoing transmission, and to prevent further transmission from such sources.

  • To educate people about how to reduce their risk of infection.

Legal Reporting Requirements

  • Health care providers: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.

  • Hospitals: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.

  • Laboratories: no requirements for reporting.

  • Local health jurisdiction: immediately notifiable to Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section (1-877-539-4344).

Last update
November 2009

HUS Resources

General Information

HUS
Incidence Rates

(PDF format)

Reporting Forms

HUS
Reporting Form

(PDF Format)

Public Health and Health Care

Surveillance and Reporting Guidelines
(PDF format)

DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information

Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Office of Epidemiology
Washington State Department of Health
MS: K17-9, 1610 NE 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155-9701

Consultation and technical assistance are available to local health jurisdictions in Washington State:
Phone (206) 418-5500

FAX (206) 418-5515

24-hour contact (inside Washington State only)  1-877-539-4344

Washington residents can contact their local health jurisdictions for assistance


Send inquires about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office
Comments or questions regarding this Fact Sheet? Send us an e-mail.