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 and Aged Care – Varicella (chickenpox) (external site) and Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health and Aged Care – Zoster (herpes zoster) (external site).
• Case follow-up: Is conducted by local public health units.

Guidelines

• Western Australian Immunisation Schedule
• Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health and Aged Care – Varicella (chickenpox) (external site)
• Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health and Aged Care – Zoster (herpes zoster) (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