Haemophilus influenzae – annual epidemiological report for 2018

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published its annual epidemiological report concerning Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae). In 2018, 3,982 confirmed cases of invasive H. influenzae were reported in the EU/EEA. The notification rate was 0.8 cases per 100,000 of the population, an increase compared to 2014 when it stood at 0.6.

In key findings from the report:

• Age-specific rates were highest in infants under one-year-old, with 4.0 cases per 100,000 of the population. This was followed by people aged 65 years and over, with 2.4 cases per 100,000 of the population. 
• Serotyping data were available for 57% of confirmed cases. 
• Non-capsulated strains caused 78% of cases overall, and the majority of cases in all age groups. 
• Serotype f was the most common capsulated serotype observed at 9%. 
• The H. influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccination has led to a sustained reduction in serotype b infections. In 2018, 7% of cases with known serotype were caused by serotype b.

Source: ECDC, 8 September 2020