IMMEDIATELY REPORTABLE DISEASE: Any suspected case should be reported immediately by telephone to the Local Health Officer and by the Health Officer to the State Department of Health and Senior Services; include clinical and laboratory information supporting the diagnosis for appropriate investigation and control recommendations.

CLINICAL DESCRIPTION
¤Invasive diseases caused by H. influenzae (most often type b) resulting in meningitis, septicemia, pneumonia, cellulitis or epiglottitis. These illnesses are most common in the pre-school age group and the elderly, and can be life-threatening. The source of the organism is the upper respiratory tract of humans. The incubation period is 2-4 days. The disease is noncommunicable 24-48 hours after starting effective antibiotic therapy.

CASE CLASSIFICATION

1. CONFIRMED
   A clinically compatible case AND
• Haemophilus influenzae isolated from a normally sterile body site.


2. PROBABLE
   
   
   • A clinically compatible case, with CSF positive for Haemophilus influenzae type b antigen.
   
   
   NOTE: Positive antigen test results from urine or serum samples are unreliable, and therefore, not confirmatory.
   
   
3. POSSIBLE
   
   Not used
   
   

What you should know about Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis?