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Chickenpox increases in Grant County

Health district urging vaccines

Jul 03, 20240
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Grant County Health District (GCHD) staff have been responding to an increase in chickenpox (varicella) cases in Grant County over the past several months.

GCHD has investigated reports of chickenpox in multiple parts of the county and is currently managing a chickenpox outbreak at a childcare center in Warden, affecting several children not yet eligible for the chickenpox vaccine, the agency said in a release last week.

GCHD urges all eligible residents to get up to date on the chickenpox vaccine if they have not had chickenpox yet.

“By getting vaccinated, you help protect the most vulnerable groups who cannot receive this layer of protection,” the district stated in a release last week.

Usually, two doses of chickenpox vaccine are needed for full protection. Children get their first dose at 1 year of age and their second dose at the age of 4.

“The chickenpox vaccine is extremely effective in preventing the disease,” said Theresa Adkinson, Grant County Health District administrator. “We encourage you to review your family’s immunization records and schedule an appointment for anyone not up to date with their chickenpox vaccine.”

Chickenpox made over 4 million people sick each year before the availability of the vaccine, which has reduced cases by over 97%.

And getting vaccinated can prevent chickenpox if given within 5 days of exposure.

While some vaccinated people may still get chickenpox, the symptoms are typically milder, with fewer blisters and little to no fever.

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About Chickenpox -

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that can have serious complications, including death. The virus spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has chickenpox.

Chickenpox usually causes the following symptoms:

An itchy rash of blisters

Fever

Headache

Feeling tired

After exposure to chickenpox, it can take 10 to 21 days for symptoms to develop. Chickenpox is contagious for two days before the rash appears.

Prevent the spread

If you have chickenpox, you should not return to any public setting until:

your fever is gone AND

all blisters have scabbed over (usually 7 days).

High-risk groups – The following groups are at risk for serious or life-threatening illness from chickenpox and are not eligible for the vaccine.

People with weakened immune systems

Newborns

Pregnant People

Exclusion from school

If there is an increase in cases at a school, those without evidence of immunity are likely to be excluded from school and other public settings for 21 days or longer. Please verify that all children in your family are up to date on vaccinations before school starts in the fall.

Evidence of Immunity

Documentation of age-appropriate varicella vaccination:

Age 12 months – <4 years: 1 dose (2 doses will be necessary during an outbreak)

4 years and older, school-age, adolescents and adults: 2 doses

Laboratory blood test with evidence of immunity (or prior disease)

Birth in the United States before 1980 (Does not apply during most outbreaks, in health care personnel, in pregnant people and people who are immunocompromised.)

Diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella or herpes zoster by a healthcare provider

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