Varicella (Chickenpox) - HAN
Breadcrumb
Jump To:
Overview
Please see the CDPH Varicella Job Aid for Providers for important information about varicella, including information on testing and specimen requirements.
For more information about collecting specimens click here.
-
Confirmed Case: An acute illness with maculo-papulovesicular rash and epidemiologic link to another confirmed case or laboratory confirmation. Unvaccinated person with 200-400 lesions.
-
Probable Case: An acute illness with maculo-papulovesicular rash and lack of epidemiologic link to another confirmed or probable case or lack of laboratory confirmation.
-
Breakthrough Case: Vaccinated cases that are milder, less contagious, have lower fever and fewer lesions (<50). Lesions are often maculopapular instead of vesicular. Atypical appearance often leads to misdiagnosis. Consider laboratory confirmation given atypical appearance.
Role Of CDPH
What Is the Role of the Chicago Department of Public Health?
1
Provide education and technical assistance to providers
2
Conduct public health investigation on all positive cases by confirming patient diagnosis; ensure appropriate medical follow-up; locate persons who may have been exposed; and provide education on post-exposure prophylaxis.
3
Implement control measures for outbreaks
4
Provide training, education and access to the Illinois National Disease Surveillance System
5
Ensure provider reporting is completed on all chicken pox cases
Varicella Resources
- CDC Guidelines for Collection Specimens
- Information on collecting, handling, and shipping specimens to CDC for various tests including VZV Serologic Assays and VZV PCR/Genotyping
- CDC VZV Overview
- Information on varicella including signs and symptoms, complications, transmission, and prevention and treatment
- Clinical Guidelines for Mgmt of HCP Exposed to Varicella 2022
- CDPH document on healthcare personnel exposure and postexposure management
- IDPH Chickenpox Overview
- Information on varicella including symptoms, transmission, and vaccine
- Varicella Clinical Guidelines and Commercial Lab Information
- Job aid that includes case definitions, reporting, and sampling lesions and testing
- Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
- 2023 recommended immunizations for children from birth through 6 Years old including the 2 doses of varicella
- Varicella in Schools
- Links to school HAN page on varicella with school specific guidance and reporting
Clinical Features
Confirmed/Probable Cause
|
|
|
Breakthrough Case
Breakthrough varicella is defined as a case of varicella due to infection with wild-type VZV occurring more than 42 days after varicella vaccination.
|
|
|
Herpes Zoster Virus (Shingles):
Characterized by vesicular lesions in one dermatome. Many labs automatically report + VZV PCRs to the health department. Talk to your lab about filtering out shingles results so they are not reported to CDPH.
Shingles is not a reportable disease
Varicella Reporting
To report suspect Cases, use the Online Case Reporting Form
OR contact the CDPH Disease Reporting Hotline at 312-743-9000
*After hours, weekends, and holidays, call 311 and ask for the communicable disease physician on-call (or 312-744-5000 if outside the City of Chicago).
Schools: Please click here for reporting and management information.
Suspect Cases should be reported within 24 hours.
Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
To Report Cases: Online Case Report Form (preferred)
Asset Publisher
Varicella Contacts
Suspect Cases should be reported within 24 hours.
Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
To Report Cases: Online Case Report Form (preferred)
For Clinical Questions or to Report by Phone:
312-743-9000