Health Department

Jan. 29, 2024 – The Cincinnati Health Department (CDH) is reaching out to inform the public about a recent cluster of chickenpox cases in our community. We believe it's crucial for everyone to be aware of the situation and take proactive steps to protect their health.

“Chickenpox is a very preventable disease with vaccines, but not everyone is fully vaccinated,” said Grant Mussman, M.D., MHSA, Cincinnati Health Department Commissioner. “Chickenpox can be serious or life threatening in certain high-risk individuals if they are not protected, so we want to get ahead of the curve and do all we can to prevent this from spreading.”

There are a few very important points regarding chickenpox:

1. Community Cluster of Chickenpox: CHD has identified a community cluster of chickenpox cases, necessitating heightened awareness and precautions.
2. Those vaccinated in other countries may not be protected: Vaccination for varicella (chickenpox) is less common in some other countries. If your vaccinations were administered outside the United States, you may be at risk of being unvaccinated.
3. Talk to Your Primary Care Physician: If you are unvaccinated or have never had chickenpox, it's essential to discuss vaccination with your primary care physician, who can provide guidance tailored to your health history.
4. Health Department Clinics for Vaccination: Don't have a primary care physician? No problem. Contact our Health Department health centers at 513-357-7320 to schedule an appointment for a varicella vaccination. Protecting yourself and the community is our priority.
5. Healthcare Providers: Health care providers diagnosing chickenpox cases are urged to promptly contact the Cincinnati Health Department Communicable Disease Unit at 513-357-7462. If you are outside Cincinnati, please reach out to your local health department.
6. Shingles: Adults who had chickenpox as children are at risk of getting shingles, an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). People with shingles can also spread the virus, leading to chickenpox infection in individuals who have never been vaccinated or infected with varicella-zoster. Available vaccines can lower the risk of shingles. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html).
7. Individuals at Risk: While neither chickenpox nor shingles are considered life threatening in otherwise healthy vaccinated children and adults, the virus that causes them can cause complications that could result in hospitalization for high-risk individuals such as infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. To learn if you are at high risk, please visit Chickenpox (Varicella) Complications | CDC.

Preventive Measures: Chickenpox can be prevented through vaccination. It's a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from this contagious disease.

Stay Informed: For the latest updates and information, visit our website https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/health/public-health-hot-topics/chickenpox-and-shingles/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (X). CHD is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our community. We appreciate your cooperation in taking steps to prevent the spread of chickenpox.