Health officials are raising as Haemophilus influenzae type b, known as Hib, is making a return in communities across the U.S., including Illinois.

Hib is a serious bacterial infection that most often affects babies and young children under the age of 5, though older adults with certain medical conditions are also at risk.  While many people may have only heard of Hib in childhood vaccination schedules, the disease can be severe, even deadly, if it takes hold.

Illinois Health Officials Alarmed as Bacterial Disease Reemerges

Hib spreads through respiratory droplets, such as when someone coughs or sneezes, or through prolonged close contact with an infected person.  The infection can cause mild illnesses like ear infections or bronchitis, but it can also lead to dangerous complications, including infections of the bloodstream, joints, and the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  In severe cases, Hib disease can result in lifelong disability or death.

Certain populations are at higher risk for serious Hib infection.  Children under 5 and adults over 65 are most vulnerable, but people with weakened immune systems face heightened risk (due to conditions like antibody deficiencies, and absence of a spleen, HIB infection, cancer treatment, or sickle cell disease).

"Now, parents who haven’t experienced the frightening effects of the highly contagious and fast-moving infection are increasingly opting out of vaccinating their kids against Hib. Last week, the CDC reported that the percentage of babies who got the full series of Hib shots fell slightly from 2019 to 2021, from 78.8% to 77.6%." [nbcnews]

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Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination as the most effective protection against Hib.  Routine childhood immunizations have dramatically reduced the disease over the last few decades, but falling vaccine rates are allowing Hib to resurface.  Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children receive all recommended doses on schedule.