DISEASE NAME:
Haemophilus influenzae in Ireland
CATEGORY:
Vaccine Preventable
Haemophilus influenzae in Ireland
Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium that can cause serious infection in humans, particularly in children, but also in individuals with weakened immune systems.
There are a number of strains of H. influenzae. Strains are classified as those with capsules (capsular types) and those without capsules (non-encapsulated types). Six capsular types (a-f) are recognized.
A polysaccharide conjugate vaccine against type b (Hib) infections was introduced in Ireland in September 1992. In 2006 a Hib booster dose was introduced into infant schedule in the second year of life.
Haemophilus influenzae in Ireland, 2022
| 69 | The number of Haemophilus influenzae notifications in 2022 |
| 1.4 | The national notification rate per 100,000 population in 2022 |
Last updated: 03 February 2023
Case definition
Clinical criteria
Any person with clinical picture compatible with invasive disease, i.e. bacteraemia, meningitis, arthritis, epiglottitis, osteomyelitis or cellulitis
Laboratory criteria
At least one of the following two:
- Isolation of Haemophilus influenzae from a normally sterile site
- Detection of Haemophilus influenzae nucleic acid from a normally sterile site
Typing of the isolates should be performed
Epidemiological criteria
NA
Case classification
A. Possible case
A case with clinical epiglottis without any laboratory confirmation or with identification only from a non-sterile site
B. Probable case
NA
C. Confirmed case
Any person meeting the laboratory criteria
Current as of: 24 January 2019
Information, Data and Reports for Haemophilus influenzae in Ireland
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.