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Alarm in Hamburg: Bacterial infection causes deaths – start vaccinations!
An outbreak of the bacterial infection Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) has been detected in Hamburg, with 16 cases and 3 deaths. Vaccinations are offered to protect particularly risk groups.
Alarm in Hamburg: Bacterial infection causes deaths – start vaccinations!
There is currently a worrying outbreak of the bacterial infection Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in Hamburg. There have already been 16 cases and three deaths recorded for several months. Drug users and homeless people are particularly affected, as they are at higher risk due to their weakened immune systems. However, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) emphasizes that there is currently no reason to worry for healthy people. As part of the vaccination campaign, vaccinations are offered in two drug consumption rooms in order to specifically strengthen the immunity in risk groups and contain the infection, as merkur.de reports.
Hib is transmitted through droplet infection, for example when coughing or sneezing, but also indirectly via shared objects such as cigarettes, cutlery or drug paraphernalia. Healthy adults can carry the pathogen in their nasopharynx without becoming ill themselves. However, the disease can become life-threatening within a few hours, especially if the immune system is weakened. Possible complications include pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Symptoms vary from mild respiratory infections to serious illnesses that require urgent treatment. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease, with severe cases often requiring antibiotics, as the [Apotheken Umschau](https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/kranken-symptome/infection diseases/hib-ausbruch-ursachen-symptome-und-schutzmassnahme-1389537.html) adds.
Vaccination recommendations and prevention measures
The Hib vaccination has been a standard vaccination for infants in Germany since 1990. The vaccination rate was 91.4 percent among school starters in 2018, which shows that there is a broad willingness to be vaccinated among the population. Nevertheless, the RKI appeals to adults to get vaccinated, especially if they have existing immune deficiencies, as they have an increased risk of serious illnesses. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) is currently examining an adjustment to the Hib vaccination recommendations in order to take these developments into account. In 2024, over 1,000 cases of invasive Hib infections were registered nationwide, with around 3% being due to type b, according to information from individuelle-impfwahl.de.
Particular caution is required as the vast majority of severe Haemophilus influenzae infections are not caused by Hib, indicating the effectiveness of the vaccination. Nevertheless, the increase in Hib cases must be taken seriously, especially the reports of infections in vulnerable groups. Experts currently recommend that close contacts receive prophylactic treatment and that hygiene measures be observed: no sharing of cigarettes, cutlery or drug paraphernalia. These measures are crucial to contain the spread and prevent further illnesses, as is also recommended in the [Apotheken Umschau](https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/kranken-symptome/infection diseases/hib-ausbruch-ursachen-symptome-und-schutzmassnahme-1389537.html).