Issue: June 2016
May 17, 2016
2 min read
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Ongoing varicella outbreak affects 75 children in New York

Issue: June 2016
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The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently issued an advisory to physicians concerning an ongoing investigation into 75 cases of varicella in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

Perspective from

Health officials said the outbreak has been occurring among an Orthodox Jewish community since March and has affected 75 children aged younger than 10 years. According to the advisory, 72% of the patients were not vaccinated against chickenpox, and 14% had not completed the vaccine series. Officials noted that two doses of varicella vaccination are 98% effective at protecting against the disease.

“Please ensure that your patients and staff are up to date with varicella vaccine,” health officials wrote in the advisory. “Two doses of vaccine are recommended for older children and adults who do not have evidence of varicella immunity.”

The advisory was issued to all pediatricians, PCPs, infectious disease specialists, emergency medicine physicians, internal medicine specialists, family medicine specialists, obstetricians and gynecologists, laboratory medicine specialists and infection control staff within the city.

Physicians are advised to prioritize treatment for high-risk groups and to provide post-exposure prophylaxis within 3 days of initial exposure. Health officials do not recommend antiviral treatment to otherwise healthy children infected with varicella. Antiviral treatment should be considered for those at increased risk for moderate to severe varicella, according to the advisory.