2011 Georgia data summary: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) [Nov. 2013]

~ 2011 Georgia Data Summary
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Georgia Department of Public Health
HUS Quick Fact: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome can result after a variety of
bacterial infections, most commonly with certain types of E. coli.

OVERVIEW

Figure 1.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that results from the abnormal premature destruction of red blood cells . Once this process begins, the damaged red blood cells start to clog the filtering system in the kidneys , which may eventually cause the lifethreatening kidney failure associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome.
It is often preceded by diarrheal illness or respiratory infection.
HUS is usually characterized by hemolytic anemia, low platelet count and acute renal failure .
It is often associated with shiga-toxin producing E. coli 0157:H7 . However, it has also been associated with viruses and other infectious agents such as other shiga-toxin producing E. coli types , Clostridium difficile and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
SURVEILLANCE
All Georgia physicians and other health care providers are required by law to report HUS cases to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Nephrologists and Infection Control practitioners are also contacted once per month via telephone or email to inquire about any new cases.
Active Surveillance for HUS conducted through FoodNet, a component of the Emerging Infections Program (EIP). For more information , please visit: );> http://dph .georgia.gov/EIP );> http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/
Data are periodically validated utilizing hospital discharge data diagnostic codes.
INCIDENCE

Frequency and Rate of HUS in GA, 2001- 2011

' " - - - - - - - - - - - - - (1. ) ' 1

IK

16

r-...

01

0

0

14 I

I \

~

... U .l~

0

10

/
/ \ v
I I

~

1'\ 0.1 I 0.05

0
~
"

I

...

.. .

,,.,

~.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _,J~

~ I(,) It"

DEMOGRAPHICS
Consistent with previously described epidemiology of HUS, in Georgia, this disease occurs most commonly among young children (Figure 2) .
In 2011 , of the reported cases with known race and ethnicity, 67% of cases were White , 17% were Hispanic (1 00% were white and of those , 17% were Hispanic) and 0% were Black.
Figure 2:

HUSAge and Gender Distribution in GA, 2001- 2011
,u - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4>
40 - -tJ-- - - - - - - - - -
31 30 lS
)0
II 10

In 2011 , 6 cases of HUS were reported , for a rate of 0.06/100 ,000 (Figure 1). This number may increase because 2011 data have not been validated . The incidence of HUS in Georgia has varied from year to year.

Georgia Department of Public Health- 2 Peachtree Street, NW- Atlanta, GA 30303- (404) 657-2588- http://dph.georgia.gov

r~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~--~~~--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~==~~~~~~~~~~~~~,

'" ' Figure 3.
HUS Case Diar rheal Status prior to Diagnosis. GA. 2001-2011
No
Diarr hea 22%

Hand Washing 1. Encourage careful hand washing before and after food preparation . 2. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling animals (pets, zoo , etc.) or feces of any kind .
Special Projects Monitoring trends in HUS Epidemiology over time Interviewing E. coli 0157 cases to determine risk factors for the development of HUS.

IMPACT OF HUS
Hospitalizations & Deaths
Of the 6 cases of HUS reported in 2011 , all individuals were hospitalized , some for months.
In 2011 , no HUS patients died.
PREVENTION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Food Preparation Tips 1. Always treat raw poultry, beef and pork as if they are contaminated and handle accordingly: Wrap fresh meats in plastic bags at the market to prevent blood from dripping on other foods . Refrigerate foods promptly; minimize holding time at room temperature. Cutting boards and counters used for meat preparation should be washed immediately after use to prevent cross contamination with other foods. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats. Ensure that the correct internal cooking temperature is reached , particularly when using a microwave. Make sure that the meat is no longer pink and that any juices run clear. 2. Avoid using raw (unpasteurized) milk. For more information, visit: www.foodsafety.gov
Date updated: November 2013 Visit http://dph .georgia.gov/epidemiology for more information about HUS in Georgia

Georgia Department of Public Health- 2 Peachtree Street, NW- Atlanta, GA 30303- (404) 657-2588 - http://dph.georgia.gov