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Vaccine Preventable Diseases


Varicella (Chickenpox)

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Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. The rash appears first on the stomach, back and face and can spread over the entire body causing between 250 and 500 itchy blisters. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine.
  • Symptoms
  • Transmission
  • Prevention

Symptoms include:

  • Blister-like rash
  • Fever that lasts about 4 to 6 days
  • Itching
  • Tiredness

Certain groups of people are more likely to have more severe illness with serious complications. These include adult, infants, adolescents, pregnant women, and people have a weakened immune system. If anyone develops symptoms that look like chickenpox, contact your health care provider.

It is spread from person to person by direct contact or through the air from an infected person’s coughing and sneezing. Chickenpox can be spread for 1-2 days before rash starts and until all blisters are crusted or no new lesions appear within a 24-hour period. It takes between 10-21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop chickenpox.  

If I have been vaccinated, can I still get chickenpox?
Yes. About 15%–20% of people who have received one dose of chickenpox vaccine do still get chickenpox if they are exposed, but their disease is usually mild.   Two doses of varicella vaccine are now routinely recommended. The first dose can be given at 12 months of age and the second dose between 4-6 years of age.

2018 August Varicella Summary 69 cases <1 year olds have highest incidence 1 outbreak 44% cases no/ unknown vaccination The number of reported varicella cases in August decreased from last month but remained above the previous 5-yearaverage. In general, more varicella cases are reported during the late winter and summer months. From January 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018, 553 varicella cases were reported in 50 counties. Since 2015, the annual number of reported varicella cases decreased. Thus far in 2018, it appears case counts will remain consistent with those seen during previous years. In August, 8 (12%) of 69 total cases were associated with transmission within households and 3 (4%) cases were outbreakassociated. 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 August that included cases previously reported in July. The outbreak consisted of 5 cases, and transmission occurred within a correctional facility. There have been 6 total varicella outbreaks reported in 2018, all of which occurred in schools or correctional facility settings.

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