Prevention strategy for the outbreak of chickenpox infection in long-years residents of children(adults) with severe motor and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

The residents of children(adults) with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) are limited from social contact for long years. Chickenpox infection from a single patient spread in one of the dormitories and there were twice outbreak of chickenpox infection in the residents in 2016. Varicella antibodies of EIA IgG and EIA IgM were measured at the time of fever or a blister appearance in 8 chickenpox infected patients (6 males and 2 females, median age of 46 (36 to 64 years old)) and then we measured varicella EIA IgG antibody more than 2 weeks thereafter. Three patients showed the first infection pattern, and 5 patients showed the infection history pattern. At the first outbreak, chickenpox infected patients were quarantined and treated by Valaciclovir Hydrochloride (VACV). Other non-infected residents were administrated with preventive dose of VACV. Since any chickenpox patients did not become severe, VACV prevention were effective to some extent. However, we experienced the second outbreak of chickenpox infection after VACV prevention, that might need more sufficient prevention strategy for chickenpox infection. Therefor we suggest that residents of children(adults)with SMID may require repetitive chickenpox vaccination because of the weak booster effect or the lack.