Varicella outbreak in Sudanese refugees from Calais
O Lesens1,2, O Baud3,4, C Henquell5,6
1Service Des Maladies Infectieuses Et Tropicales, CHU Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Journal of Travel Medicine
|July 6, 2016
Summary
An outbreak of varicella (chickenpox) occurred in 31 Sudanese refugees in France. Most adults in East Africa lack varicella immunity, increasing epidemic risk upon arrival in Europe.
Area of Science:
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Public health in migrant populations
Background:
- Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious.
- Low varicella immunization rates are common in East African adults.
- Migrant populations may face novel infectious disease exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a varicella outbreak in Sudanese refugees.
- To highlight the risk of VZV epidemics in under-immunized adult populations.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive epidemiological study of a varicella outbreak.
- Case ascertainment and attack rate calculation.
Main Results:
- 31 Sudanese refugees in a French transit area were affected.
- The attack rate was 39% among the refugee group.
- The affected population was predominantly male adults.
Conclusions:
- Adult refugees from East Africa may be susceptible to varicella epidemics.
- Public health strategies are needed to address VZV risks in migrant settings.
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