A serious bacterial infection is on the rise in Europe; it can cause conditions ranging from pneumonia to sepsis and meningitis, with a noticeable increase in cases also being reported in Cyprus.
This is invasive disease caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae, which, despite its name, is not related to the influenza virus.
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Transmission occurs from person to person, primarily through respiratory droplets and secretions, and the disease can lead to serious complications. Infants and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.
At the European level, cases have reached historic highs since 1996, according to available data. In Cyprus, the numbers remain small in absolute terms; however, the upward trend places our country within the broader European picture, where this particular infection is now showing a significant increase.
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Speaking on the Alpha Kalimera show, Professor of Molecular Virology, Dr. Petros Karagiannis, clarified that this is a bacterium that has been known for decades, and we know that one of the main diseases it causes is meningitis.
“In addition to meningitis, it causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Because of meningitis, there has been and still is a vaccine that is administered in childhood and protects against this specific bacterium—Haemophilus influenzae type B. There are five other types against which the vaccine does not provide protection, and most of the cases recorded by the ECDC —at least the majority of them—involve the other serotypes, which the vaccine does not target.”
This bacterium is transmitted through microdroplets or by touching surfaces contaminated by a person who is carrying the bacterium and is sick.
“It usually occurs during the winter months, and as we’re seeing in Cyprus this year, with the rains we’ve had recently, the weather is a bit colder than we’re used to. Therefore, I predict that if this pattern continues, we’ll see viral and bacterial respiratory infections strike sooner and cause us more discomfort for a longer period than in other years. They have already begun to appear in infants. The good news is that we have antibiotics we can use to treat those who become infected—provided, of course, that the diagnosis is made in a timely manner.”
When symptoms are severe—especially since young children and people over 65 are particularly affected—we must remain vigilant, notes Dr. Karagiannis.
“The HIP vaccine, as it’s called, is administered starting at three months of age. Therefore, children can be protected, at least against type B. But it seems that the gap created by the disappearance of type B has allowed other types of this bacterium to begin to prevail and cause problems. Sore throat, fever, cough if it’s pneumonia… if it’s meningitis, other problems arise, which a pediatrician is best able to identify early and treat with antibiotics.”
For her part, Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, Dr. Zoe Pana, speaking on the Alpha News program, echoed Dr. Karagiannis’s remarks and emphasized that we must not “give in” to panic.
“We certainly need to complete vaccination coverage against Haemophilus influenzae, because it is a serious infection that primarily affects young children. It is part of the mandatory childhood vaccination schedule. We should also emphasize that, because we have cases of thalassemia in Cyprus—people who have problems with their spleen, who have had it removed, or whose spleen does not function properly, as is the case with thalassemia— these individuals are at increased risk of contracting this bacterium and must be vaccinated.”
She also noted that although it is referred to as Haemophilus influenzae—because, practically and historically, “influenza” refers to the flu—it is clear that we are talking about a bacterium. It’s just that when it was discovered, according to Dr. Pana, it was attributed to the flu pandemic, which is why it was given that specific name.
