Occupational and nosocomial transmission of varicella

We examined varicella transmission in a hospital specialized in cancer treatment. A cases series study was made of a case of intra-hospital transmission of varicella, based on a revision of the records of patients who had been admitted during the time the index case was in the same service. Records of interviews of employees were also reviewed. During the period that the index case was in the intensive care unit, 34 patients were admitted and 35 employees worked there. Two employees and a patient developed the illness, due to transmission directly or indirectly from the index case. Although this is a service in which most of the patients are adults who have cancer, attention needs to be directed towards diagnosis and to procedures to reduce the transmission of this illness, both to healthcare professionals, and to other patients. A standard schedule for varicella prevention already exists; however, this case reinforces the need for specific vaccination of at-risk professionals.