Chickenpox (Varicella) in Thailand

11 Feb 2014

The Ministry of Public Health has reported an outbreak of chickenpox (varicella) in Thailand. Around 2565 cases were recorded during the first 19 days of January 2014.

The cool weather between January-March is when cases of chikenpox increase in Thailand. Thailand reported 48 000 chickenpox cases during 2013, with most cases in children aged between 5-9 years.

Advice for Travellers

In the UK, chickenpox is a common childhood ailment and most adults have immunity due to natural infection. In childhood the illness is faily mild but can be  more serious in adults, pregnant women and those with immune disorders due to disease or treatment. Varicella vaccine is not included in the childhood immunisation programme in the UK.