Chickenpox : a case report of a recent outbreak

Abstract EN

We report an outbreak of chickenpox which occurred recently in Gezira area of sudan.

The disease was notably severe this time because of involvement of many adults due to drop of herd immunity.

Out of 35 patients (mean age 14.2 years ) 16 got severe disease 14 of them were above 12 yearsof age.

On the other hand the last epidemic took place more than ten years back.

In United States where 5000 to 9000 hospitalization annually with 100 deaths, a vaccine was introduced in 1995.

The history of vaccination against childhood diseases in Sudan was reiterated.

The epidemic was reminiscent of recent outbreaks such as SARS , rift valley fever and avian influenza.

The most dreaded but considered eradicated, is smallpox.

So it was recommended that there should be a re-introduction of vaccination against smallpox.