Chickenpox Cases On Rise In Youth
Department of Public Health and Human Services officials are reporting a recent increase chickenpox cases reported in school-aged children.
At least half of these infections were acquired from an adult family member with shingles. Chickenpox, or varicella, can be a serious illness and is easily preventable with vaccination.
In 2022, there were 23 reported cases of chickenpox in Montana. Cases ranged in individuals from age 1 to over 65. One infant and one young adult required hospitalization.
Early numbers from 2023 show 18 reported cases of chickenpox with no known hospitalizations. Six six cases were reported during the same period last year, which is a 200 percent increase in cases year-to-date. Shingles is not a reportable condition; therefore, there is no data on the number of cases last year.
Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella virus. It occurs in 1 of 3 persons who have had chickenpox in their lifetime. Shingles has a rash that presents as red bumps and blisters, usually in a narrow area on one side of the body. This rash may be itchy or painful and is contagious until it has scabbed over completely and can be transmitted by direct contact.
However, the virus is almost exclusively transmitted to people who are not vaccinated for chickenpox or have never had it in the past.
Transmission of the virus may be prevented by covering the shingles rash to prevent contact. The incidence of shingles increases with age, and vaccination against shingles is recommended for persons 50 years and older.
Chickenpox is an illness with a rash and a fever. Like shingles, chicken pox is also caused by the varicella virus. The rash usually appears 14 to 16 days following exposure to the varicella virus, but can be as early as 10 days or as long as 21 days.
It is highly contagious to those who are not immune, especially those who have not been vaccinated with two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox can also be serious, even life-threatening, especially in babies, adolescents, adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
