He was born in Cuba and had resided in the United States for 35 years. He had no history of varicella and no known exposure. He was not receiving steroids or immunosuppressive drugs. He was admitted to the hospital with varicella on October 5 and on October 6, treatment was initiated with oral acyclovir. SA Hall, MS, Association of Schools of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia.
Deaths continue to occur from varicella, a disease that is now vaccine-preventable.
During this period, approximately 100 varicella-related deaths occurred yearly in the United States. ACIP continues to recommend that vaccination be considered for all susceptible adolescents and adults. Five of the six case-patients who died because of varicella were eligible for vaccination. The epidemiology of varicella in tropical regions differs from that in temperate regions. VZV is heat labile and may not survive and transmit well in warm climates.