Au Vietnamaccording to the CDC Hanoi, during the week of May 27 to April 2, the city recorded 166 cases of chickenpox, nearly double the previous week. Since the beginning of 2023 until today, Hanoi has recorded around 800 cases of chickenpox, a very large increase compared to the same period in 2022 (only 11 cases). No deaths from chickenpox have been reported so far. Field surveys revealed the presence of chickenpox patients in 18 of Hanoi’s 30 districts, and kindergarten and primary school children accounted for more than 70 percent of all cases. Experts expect chickenpox cases to rise in the coming weeks as the capital prepares to enter spring.
Moreover,
- the mountainous province of Lao Cailocated about 300 km northwest of Hanoi, has also recorded nearly 400 cases of chickenpox since the beginning of 2023;
- province of Bac Can recently reported an outbreak in an elementary school with 30 cases.
Reminders on chickenpox:
Chickenpox is a common, highly contagious rash in childhood. It is caused by infection with the varicella virus, called VZV for Varicella-Zona Virus. It mainly affects children in more than 90% of cases, and is most often benign. The adult forms are rarer but more serious.
The varicella zoster virus is transmitted by the respiratory route in contact with an infectious patient with chickenpox. After an incubation of about two weeks, a low-grade fever occurs followed by a rash made up of macules and vesicles that are clear and then cloudy. These lesions appear all over the body (face, chest, abdomen, etc.) and turn into scabs before disappearing.
- In children, serious complications are exceptional and healing occurs spontaneously without treatment in about ten days.
- In pregnant women and newborns, complications are possible, justifying special precautions. The same is true for immunocompromised people, who should avoid contact with a child with chickenpox.
Although this condition is usually not serious, it often causes children and their parents to miss school and work. Most cases of chickenpox in healthy children are treated with bed rest, fluid intake, and fever control.
Recommendations for travelers:
There is no specific recommendation. In non-immunized adults, immunocompromised people, pregnant women or newborns, staying in an epidemic zone may be inadvisable.
Vaccination against varicella consists of two doses with an interval of at least one month between the 1st and 2nd dose, a longer interval may be recommended depending on the vaccine used and age.
Source : ProMED
