AI Article Synopsis
- Varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles), caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), require monitoring for effective public health planning, as explored in a study covering 18 years (2000-2018) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
- The average incidence of VZV infection was around 449.58‰, with January seeing the highest cases (13.6%) and August/September the lowest (2.9%), primarily affecting children aged 1-4 and 5-9 years.
- The research provides valuable insights into VZV infection patterns, highlighting age-related incidence and the need for preventive measures, such as vaccination, to manage outbreaks
Article Abstract
Background: Varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) are outcomes of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, and understanding their incidence trends is vital for public health planning.
Aim: To conduct an ambispective epidemiological study by analyzing the main epidemiological characteristics of VZV infection during an 18 year-period (2000-2018).
Methods: We used descriptive and epidemiological methods to characterize chickenpox in Bulgaria, the city of Plovdiv and the region for a period of 18 years (2000-2018).
Results: The average incidence of varicella-zoster infection for the period 2000-2018 in the Plovdiv region was estimated at 449.58‰. The highest relative share of the infection was assessed in the month of January at 13.6%, and the lowest in the months of August and September at 2.9% (both months). The age group most affected by the infection was 1-4 years, followed by 5-9 years. This corresponds to the so-called "pro-epidemic population" - a phenomenon typical for airborne infections, confirming their mass impact on the perpetuation of VZV infection.
Conclusion: Our findings reveal significant insights into VZV epidemiology, including age-specific incidence rates, clinical manifestations, and vaccination impact. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the broader understanding of VZV infection dynamics and may inform evidence-based preventive measures.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11401008 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.5501/wjv.v13.i3.92525 | DOI Listing |
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