Haemophilus influenzae type B Hib is a serious problem for children 5 years in developing countries

1
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a serious
problem for children lt5 years in developing
countries

• 3 million cases of serious illness1
• 400,000 deaths1
• Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem -
  Effective antibiotics are often more costly or
  unavailable

1The WHO Position Paper on Haemophilus influenzae
Type b Conjugate Vaccines, 1998
2
In developing countries, Hib causes severe
pneumonia and meningitis

• Meningitis
• Almost 20 case fatality rate, many times higher
  than in industrialized countries
• 15 to 35 of survivors suffer permanent sequelae
• Pneumonia
• Hib may account for over 20 of severe pneumonia
  cases
• Case fatality rate for severe pneumonia estimated
  at 10-15

3
Hib is consistently the leading cause of
childhood bacterial meningitis in all regions
n 32 18 19 20
8 20
Adapted from Bennett JV et al. Haemophilus
influenzae type B (Hib) meningitis in the
pre-vaccine era A global review of incidence,
age distribution and case fatality rates. 2002.
Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO.
4
In some parts of the world, there is consistent
evidence that Hib meningitis is a significant
problem
Incidence of Hib meningitis in children lt 5 yrs
of age, worldwide (pre-vaccine era)
Source WHO, literature review, 2002
5
Additional information is still needed to
explain wide disparities in incidence rates
Studies measuring Hib meningitis incidence Asia
6
Leading infectious causes of mortality in
children lt 5 yrs of age
Hib accounts for 1 of every 11 childhood deaths
due to infectious cause
Source 2005 WHO World Health Report