Publication: An Outbreak Investigation of Varicella Zoster among Male Military Personnel in a Military Training Centre
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Chickenpox is an acute, highly infectious disease. Outbreaks can occur in adults in closed institutional settings like hostels and barracks. This study aims to report varicella zoster outbreak among male military personnel in a military training centre.
Methods: An outbreak investigation of chickenpox in a military training school and tertiary hospital was conducted. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 267). Data was collected from February 5, 2020 to April 10, 2020 by questionnaire and clinical examination. Case definitions were prepared as per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Data was entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results: Out of the 167 male personnel in the training centre, 90 (53.89%) were susceptible to varicella and 84 (50.29%) were close contacts. The secondary attack rate of varicella zoster was 21.43% (18 cases). The mean age of the patients was 22.33±1.72 years. The mean days of admission were 5±2.28 days. The most common clinical features were generalised rash in 18 (100%), fever in 15 (83.33%), and body ache in 12 (66.67%) cases.
Conclusions: Natural history, clinical, and epidemiological features of varicella zoster in a closed institutional setting was studied with the secondary attack rate being less as compared to other studies.
Description
Parag Karki
Department of Internal Medicine, Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu, Nepal
Lee Budhathoki
Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
Anita Poudel
Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
Swojay Maharjan
Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
Manoj Khadka
Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0449-9254
Lochana Shrestha
Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
Leela Paudel
Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0366-653X
Keywords
Chickenpox, Military, Outbreak