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Varicella-zoster (chickenpox and shingles)
Varicella-zoster (chickenpox and shingles)
Statutory notification alert
Varicella infection is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
See
notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB)
.
Notifications should be made using the communicable disease notification form for
metropolitan residents (PDF 209KB)
or
regional residents (PDF 208KB)
.
For notification of regional residents see contact details of
public health units
.
See also description of
Statutory medical notifications in Western Australia
.
Public health management
Important information
Infectious agent:
Varicella-zoster virus.
Transmission:
Varicella is usually spread by respiratory droplet. Varicella can also be spread by direct or indirect contact with fluid from the blisters of an infected person.
Incubation period:
From 2 to 3 weeks, commonly 13 to 17 days.
Infectious period:
From 2 days before rash appears until blisters have formed crusts.
Case exclusion:
Exclude for at least 5 days after rash appears and until blisters have formed crusts. Note that crusts alone do not warrant exclusion.
Contact exclusion:
Do not exclude. Post-exposure vaccination can be offered to non-immune contacts, if not contraindicated. Refer immunosupressed contacts to their doctor.
Treatment:
Do not give aspirin to a child under 16 years of age who has varicella as it may cause Reye's syndrome. Anti-viral treatment is available for complicated or severe cases. Refer cases to their doctor.
Immunisation:
See
Western Australian Immunisation Schedule
for eligible cohorts. Refer to
WA shingles (herpes zoster) immunisation program
in conjunction with the online
Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health (external site)
.
Case follow-up:
Is conducted by local
public health units
.
Guidelines
Western Australian Immunisation Schedule
Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health (external site)
Communicable Disease Guidelines for teachers, childcare workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners
WA protocol for accessing immunoglobulin blood products for public health use in Western Australia (PDF 410KB)
Notifiable disease data and reports
Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
General infectious disease reports
Produced by
Public Health
Related links
Chickenpox (varicella) (HealthyWA)
Shingles (HealthyWA)