Taiwan Pediatrician Warns of Highly Contagious Chickenpox Surge

Pediatrician Hsu Chien-lun is alerting parents to a recent increase in chickenpox cases, noting that even junior high school students are being affected and developing complications. One student presented with a secondary bacterial infection leading to impetigo, though he has since recovered following treatment.

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One chickenpox patient can infect 12-14 people (R0=12-14), which is more than 6 times higher than influenza (R0=1.4-1.8) and enterovirus (R0=1.37).

The doctor highlighted chickenpox's extreme contagiousness, stating one patient can infect 12 to 14 others, a rate significantly higher than influenza or enterovirus. Transmission occurs not only through droplets but also via airborne particles, meaning individuals sharing the same space as an infected person are at high risk, particularly within homes and classrooms. Symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, rash, and blisters, with potential for severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

Vaccination is presented as a key preventive measure. While one dose of the public vaccine offers about 80% protection, its effectiveness wanes over time, leading to breakthrough infections in school-aged children. However, receiving a second dose boosts protection to 98% and drastically reduces the rate of breakthrough infections. Dr. Hsu recommends a second vaccination for children over four years old as the disease enters an epidemic phase.

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Chickenpox can spread through the air, meaning being in the same space as a patient can lead to infection!

The Taipei City Department of Health further elaborated that chickenpox is a highly transmissible viral illness spread through direct contact, droplets, airborne particles, or contaminated objects. Initial symptoms can include mild fever and fatigue before the characteristic rash appears, progressing through stages of papules, vesicles, pustules, and finally scabs, with recovery taking two to four weeks. The infectious period begins before the rash and lasts until all lesions have crusted over.

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The protection effect of only one dose of the public vaccine is about 80%, and it decreases with age.

Preventive measures advised by the health department include timely vaccination, maintaining good personal hygiene, practicing respiratory etiquette, disinfecting environments with bleach, ensuring indoor ventilation, and frequent handwashing. For those 13 and older who haven't had chickenpox or the vaccine, two doses are recommended four to eight weeks apart.

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If a second dose is administered, the protection can reach 98%; the breakthrough infection rate is 84.6% lower than with only one dose.