An outbreak of Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteraemia in an intermediate care hospital for children.

An outbreak of Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteraemia in the infant unit of a paediatric intermediate care hospital is described. A high attack rate of 36% (four of 11 patients) was found, which was of concern in a population already compromised by chronic illness. The use of rifampicin for all patients in the unit, and staff coming into contact with them, as well as general infection control measures, brought the outbreak to an abrupt halt. The place of rifampicin prophylaxis for hospital contacts of patients with systemic H. influenzae is discussed.