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Vaccine Preventable Diseases

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Varicella (Chickenpox) in Florida

Florida Health

Disease Control

December Key Points

76 Cases
1 New
outbreaks
<1 year olds had
highest incidence
63% not up-to-date or
unknown vaccination status
A graph showing a summary of varicella cases reported by month in 2019 as compared to the previous 5-year average. In December 2019, 76 cases of varicella were reported, which is slightly above the previous 5-year average.

The number of varicella cases reported in December increased from last month and was slightly above the previous 5-year average. Due to robust vaccination programs, there is no longer a discernable seasonality for varicella cases in the United States.

A map showing the previous 3-month average varicella rates per 100,000 population. Counties with one or more cases reported in December are: Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lee, Leon, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Volusia. Counties with a rate of 0.1-0.3 per 100,000 population are: Brevard, Duval, Indian River, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Sarasota. Counties with a rate of 0.4-1.4 per 100,000 population are: Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Escambia, Flagler, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, Santa Rosa, Seminole, Volusia, St. Lucie. Counties with a rate of 1.5-3.7 per 100,000 population are: Baker, Franklin, Gulf, Liberty.

The 76 varicella cases in December were reported among the 18 counties outlined in black. From October through December 2019 the average county rate varied throughout the state.

A graph showing a summary of the total number of varicella cases reported by year with an emphasis on 2019. In total for each year there have been: 567 in 2014; 741 in 2015; 733 in 2016; 656 in 2017; 853 in 2018; and 984 in 2019.

From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, 984 varicella cases were reported in 57 counties.

The annual number of reported varicella cases decreased from 2015 to 2017. In 2019, case counts were higher than those seen in previous years.

A graph showing a bar graph of total cases compared to household associated cases and outbreak associated cases for December 2019 and the previous 3-month average.

In December, 12 (16%) of 76 total cases were associated with transmission within households and 6 (8%) cases were outbreak-associated. For most varicella cases, exposure to other known cases is never identified, and they are not able to be linked to outbreaks.

One varicella outbreak was reported in December. This outbreak was reported in a daycare in St. Lucie County and as of the end of December, consists of 6 cases.

Earlier in 2019 an outbreak was reported in a detention facility for a total of 2 outbreaks reported in 2019.

  • Resources
Varicella Laboratory Testing Guidelines

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