Download Reporting All Cases of Varicella

VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASE SECTION
Reporting All Cases of Varicella
All cases of varicella (chickenpox) are required to be reported to the Minnesota Department
of Health (MDH).
Why is case-based reporting of
varicella important?
What is the clinical
presentation of varicella?
Case-based reporting of varicella provides the
data needed to assess the changing
epidemiology of varicella and evaluate the
effectiveness of current immunization
strategies. It also provides greater opportunity
to implement exposure follow-up for high-risk
contacts and outbreak control measures.
The CDC case definition for varicella is: an
illness with acute onset of diffuse (generalized)
maculopapulovesicular rash without other
apparent cause.
Which varicella cases should be
reported?
▪
Clinically diagnosed cases (without
laboratory confirmation) seen by a provider
in a health care setting,
▪
Clinically diagnosed cases based on
symptoms relayed by phone to the provider
by the patient or parent/guardian, and
▪
Laboratory-confirmed cases.
It is important to report all of the above cases
so that MDH can adequately assess the
incidence of varicella. Cases not seen by a
provider but diagnosed by phone are thought to
currently represent a large proportion of total
cases. MDH will collect data on how the case
was diagnosed, as well as differentiate phone
diagnosed cases from those that are seen by a
provider and/or are laboratory confirmed.
Vaccinated ("breakthrough") cases may have a
milder and atypical clinical presentation, with
macules and papules but few or no vesicles.
Will reported varicella cases be
entered into MIIC?
Cases that meet the clinical case definition and
are confirmed by laboratory testing will be
entered into the Minnesota Immunization
Information Connection (MIIC) by MDH staff.
This documentation may subsequently be used
as evidence of immunity to varicella. Upon
provider request, clinically diagnosed cases that
meet the CDC case definition but are not
confirmed by laboratory testing will be entered
into MIIC by MDH.
How should cases be reported?
Cases may be reported through any available
method for reporting communicable diseases,
including:
▪
Varicella Reporting Form
(www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopic
s/reportable/forms/varicellaform.html)
▪
Phone: 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
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REPORTING ALL CASES OF VARICELLA
▪
Fax: 651-201-4820 (for vaccine-preventable
diseases) or 651-201-5743 (for all
reportable diseases)
▪
Mail (please mark the envelope
“confidential”):
Infectious Disease, Epidemiology,
Prevention and Control
625 North Robert St.
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164
Varicella cases should be reported within one
working day (Monday through Friday) so that
public health interventions may be
implemented in a timely manner.
Why can’t providers rely on
laboratories to report varicella
cases?
Provider reporting is needed because:
▪
Laboratory testing does not distinguish
varicella (chickenpox) from zoster
(shingles).
▪
False negative results may occur, especially
in mild cases of breakthrough disease (in
fully- or partially-vaccinated cases).
▪
Currently, laboratory testing is not
performed on all varicella cases. It is
important to report cases that are not
laboratory-confirmed to determine the true
incidence of varicella.
Minnesota Department of Health
Vaccine Preventable Disease Section
PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164
651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
www.health.state.mn.us/immunize
To obtain this information in a different format, call:
651-201-5414
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