title: Challenges with controlling varicella in prison settings: experience of California, 2010 to 2011.
abstract: This article describes the epidemiology of varicella in one state prison in California during 2010 and 2011, control measures implemented, and associated costs. Eleven varicella cases were reported, of which nine were associated with two outbreaks. One outbreak consisted of three cases and the second consisted of six cases with two generations of spread. Among exposed inmates serologically tested, 98% (643/656) were varicella-zoster virus seropositive. The outbreaks resulted in > 1,000 inmates exposed, 444 staff exposures, and > $160,000 in costs. The authors documented the challenges and costs associated with controlling and managing varicella in a prison setting. A screening policy for evidence of varicella immunity for incoming inmates and staff and vaccination of susceptible persons has the potential to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks and reduce resources necessary to manage cases and outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA jleung@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.affiliation: California Correctional Health Care Services, Elk Grove, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tootell
authors.affiliation: California Correctional Health Care Services, Elk Grove, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baumrind
authors.affiliation: California Correctional Health Care Services, Elk Grove, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mohle-Boetani
authors.affiliation: California Correctional Health Care Services, Elk Grove, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leistikow
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Harriman
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Preas
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bialek
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marin
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008403:Mass Screening; D011330:Prisons / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine
keywords: chicken pox; costs; outbreak; prison; varicella