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Background Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) can cause invasive disease similar to serotype b; no Hia vaccine is available. We describe the epidemiology of invasive Hia disease in the United States overall and specifically in Alaska during 2008–2017. Methods Active population- and laboratory-based surveillance for invasive Hia disease was conducted through Active Bacterial Core surveillance sites and from Alaska statewide invasive bacterial disease surveillance. Sterile-site isolates were serotyped via slide agglutination or real-time polymerase chain reaction. Incidences in cases per 100 000 were calculated. Results From 2008 to 2017, an estimated average of 306 invasive Hia disease cases occurred annually in the United States (estimated annual incidence: 0.10); incidence increased by an average of 11.1% annually. Overall, 42.7% of cases were in children aged <5 years (incidence: 0.64), with highest incidence among children aged <1 year (1.60). Case fatality was 7.8% overall and was highest among adults aged ≥65 years (15.1%). Among children aged <5 years, the incidence was 17 times higher among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children (8.29) than among children of all other races combined (0.49). In Alaska, incidences among all ages (0.68) and among children aged <1 year (24.73) were nearly 6 and 14 times higher, respectively, than corresponding US incidences. Case fatality in Alaska was 10.2%, and the vast majority (93.9%) of cases occurred among AI/AN. Conclusions Incidence of invasive Hia disease has increased since 2008, with the highest burden among AI/AN children. These data can inform prevention strategies, including Hia vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the rate and severity of respiratory syncytial virus infections during hospitalization for infants in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (YK) Delta of Alaska. Annual rate of RSV hospitalizations for YK Delta infants less than one year of age; Amount spent for RSV hospitalization of children over 3 years; Risk of newborns for severe RSV illness.

ABSTRACT. Objective. The incidence of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among Alaska Native children is much higher than among non-Native populations in the United States. We conducted this study to better understand factors associated with hospitalization attributable to RSV infection in this high-risk population. Design. Case-control study, including collection of cord blood for RSV-neutralizing antibody measurement. Setting. Remote region of southwest Alaska served by 1 regional hospital and 2 referral hospitals. Subjects. Case-patients identified through surveillance for RSV infection and matched control subjects without acute respiratory infection hospitalization. Results. Breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of RSV hospitalization (odds ratio: 0.34), whereas underlying medical conditions (primarily prematurity) were associated with increased risk (odds ratio: 6.25). Environmental factors associated with a higher risk of hospitalization included household crowding (4 or more children in the household and crowding index ≥ 2). The level of maternal RSV-neutralizing antibody was not associated with the risk of hospitalization. Conclusions. In this region with extremely high risk of RSV hospitalization, several measures, such as encouraging breastfeeding and reducing household crowding, could reduce the risk of hospitalization attributable to RSV. Pediatrics 2002;109:210-216; respiratory syncytial virus, Alaska Natives, breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]