The Lorraine and Pays de Loire regions affected by an epidemic of chickenpox



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Since the beginning of July 2018, the Lorraine and Pays de Loire regions have witnessed an upsurge of cases of chickenpox.

 The Lorraine and Pays de Loire regions affected by chickenpox

Each year, 600 000 700 000 cases of chickenpox are reported in France. But since the beginning of July 2018, the Sentinelles network, which coordinates the monitoring of health indicators in France, warns about the upsurge of chickenpox cases, particularly in the Lorraine and Pays de Loire regions. In Pays de Loire, 75 cases of chickenpox per 100,000 inhabitants were diagnosed, while the national average is estimated at 20.

An infantile disease, but not only

Chickenpox is a childhood disease that is characterized by rashes in the form of small pink spots 2 to 3 mm in diameter, often with itching and moderate fever (38 °). But the disease does not affect only children. It can also affect adolescents and adults, especially those who have not contracted the disease being younger. In these cases of late-onset chickenpox, which represent 60,000 people a year, the symptoms may be heavier: high fever, pulmonary discomfort …

Avoid contamination

Although the disease is rarely serious, pregnant women infants under six months and immunocompromised individuals should be particularly vigilant, especially as chickenpox is highly contagious. It is transmitted by direct contact (touch, contact with the vesicles) but also from respiratory secretions (sneezing, coughing …). To prevent the spread of the epidemic, limit contact with affected people, wash your hands regularly, use a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and ventilate your interior regularly. There is also a vaccine recommended for people at risk

Created on 25 July 2018

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