Newly Arrived Immigrants in New York City Are Experiencing a Varicella Outbreak

Hundreds of new cases of varicella have been identified, primarily among recent immigrants from Central and South America or their contacts.

Before the advent of an effective vaccine against varicella-zoster (VZ) virus in 1995, varicella (chickenpox) was a common childhood disease. Now, the entry into the U.S. of many adults and children from Central and South America — most of whom had not received a VZ vaccine and who live in crowded conditions — has elicited a large outbreak of varicella that was first identified in October 2022 by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

By March 2024, 873 cases were reported. Of these, 70.6% were in children and adolescents. In all, most patients (91.9%) had no history of VZ vaccination, and 28 reports of varicella-associated hospitalizations occurred. Among 780 patients with a known source of transmission, the most common …

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Newly Arrived Immigrants in New York City Are Experiencing a Varicella Outbreak

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Reviewing Author