Hib Disease: Risks, Symptoms, and the Importance of Vaccination
News Context
At a glance
- Health officials are raising alarms about a resurgence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease, particularly among vulnerable populations such as people experiencing homelessness.
- A recent report highlighted by CIDRAP spotlights invasive Hib disease outbreaks occurring within homeless communities, signaling a troubling gap in vaccine coverage for a preventable bacterial illness that...
- Hib disease is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b and spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets.
Health officials are raising alarms about a resurgence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease, particularly among vulnerable populations such as people experiencing homelessness. This comes despite decades of success in reducing Hib infections through routine childhood vaccination in the United States.
A recent report highlighted by CIDRAP spotlights invasive Hib disease outbreaks occurring within homeless communities, signaling a troubling gap in vaccine coverage for a preventable bacterial illness that can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and other life-threatening conditions.