Burden of haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Pakistani children

Estimates of the burden of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in children in Pakistan are limited. A prospective surveillance was set up in 8 sentinel sites in Karachi and Hyderabad in January 2004. A total of 1481 children aged < 5 years underwent lumbar puncture for suspected acute bacterial meningitis. Specimens from 237 (16.0%) children met the criteria for probable bacterial meningitis, and Hib was detected in 45 of them (19.0%). The minimum detected incidence of Hib meningitis in the Hyderabad area was 7.6 per 100 000 in children < 5 years of age, and 38.1 per 100 000 children < 1 year. Hib vaccination is justified for inclusion in Pakistan's expanded programme of immunization.