Southwest Montana News

Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials have reported an increase in chickenpox cases among school-aged children. Notably, over half of these infections were contracted from adult family members with shingles. Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a preventable illness through vaccination.

Jessica Lopeman, a registered nurse and epidemiologist with DPHHS, emphasized the importance of vaccination: “The best way to protect yourself and your child from chickenpox is vaccination.”

In 2022, Montana recorded 23 cases of chickenpox affecting individuals aged between 1 and over 65. Among them, one infant and one young adult required hospitalization. Preliminary data for 2023 shows 18 reported cases without any hospitalizations so far. This marks a significant rise compared to six cases during the same period last year, indicating a 200% increase.

Shingles, which stems from the reactivation of the varicella virus responsible for chickenpox, occurs in one out of three people who have had chickenpox. Shingles manifests as red bumps and blisters on one side of the body and remains contagious until scabbed over completely. It primarily affects those unvaccinated against chickenpox or those who have never contracted it.

Preventive measures include covering the shingles rash to avoid contact transmission. The risk of shingles increases with age; hence vaccination is advised for individuals aged 50 years and older.

Chickenpox itself presents with a rash and fever due to the varicella virus. The rash typically appears between 14 to 16 days post-exposure but can emerge as early as ten days or as late as 21 days after exposure.

This highly contagious disease poses severe risks particularly to babies, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals who lack immunity or haven't received two doses of the vaccine. The vaccine boasts a high efficacy rate at preventing chickenpox with a success rate of 98.3%.