Maine has had four
outbreaks of varicella (three or more cases in a single setting) reported in
schools or daycares during the 2014-2015 school year, more than any previous
year.
Varicella is a highly contagious,
acute viral illness that causes both chickenpox and shingles. Varicella
can be serious, especially in babies, adults and those with weakened immune
systems. It spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing, or by
touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from the blisters.
Infected people are contagious from two days before their rash starts until all
blisters have scabbed over. Vaccination is the best method of protection.
From September 2014 through
mid-May 2015, 84 cases of varicella have been reported in children 18 years or
younger, compared to 44 cases during the same time period of the 2013-2014
school year. Cases have been reported in all Maine counties except Washington
County during the 2014-2015 school year. Of these cases, 57 (68 percent) were
non- or under-immunized, including four children who were too young to receive
vaccine.
Key points for health care
providers:
- Report all cases of varicella, including clinically
diagnosed cases with no laboratory testing.
- Providers should ensure all patients are up to date
with varicella vaccine and other vaccines. Two doses of varicella vaccine
are recommended.
- Pregnant women exposed to varicella should contact
their obstetrician for follow up.
- Varicella cases should be excluded from school or work
until lesions are crusted over.
- Laboratory testing is available for varicella through
Maine CDC’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) as well as
other reference laboratories.
Key points for schools and
daycares:
- Report all cases of varicella.
- School nurses should review and update vaccine records.
- Exclusion of unvaccinated children may be warranted
when a varicella case is identified. Exclusion laws can be found at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/family/rules.html.
- Varicella cases should be excluded from school or work
until lesions are crusted over.
Reporting requirements:
All laboratory and clinically
diagnosed cases of varicella should be reported by phone
to 1-800-821-5821, or by fax to 1-800-293-7534.
For more information:
- Maine CDC’s varicella webpage: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vaccine/varicella.shtml
- US CDC’s varicella webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/varicella
- The Health and Environmental Testing Lab's
webpage: www.mainepublichealth.gov/lab
- Maine Immunization Program webpage: https://www1.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/
