Recently, there have been reports of chickenpox cases on campus. Chickenpox is more prevalent during the winter and early spring seasons, and we are currently in an epidemic period. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and to prevent outbreaks on campus, it is crucial to manage your health responsibly:

• Chickenpox is transmitted through direct skin contact, droplets, or airborne transmission. Please ensure diligent handwashing and wear masks.
• If you have recently been in contact with a confirmed case of chickenpox and do not have antibodies (have not had chickenpox and have not received the chickenpox vaccine in the last 7 years), it is recommended to receive a chickenpox vaccine at your own expense within 72 hours of exposure. Vaccination within 5 days can still provide 70% protection, reducing the severity of the disease.
• If you experience symptoms such as fever or a rash, please wear a mask and long sleeves and pants, seek medical attention, and immediately contact the Division of Health Services at 03-5743000 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00) or the Division of Student Assistance at 03-5711814 (24 hours). After confirmation, please refrain yourself from attending classes or work to prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Confirmed cases of chickenpox should return to their residence and stay isolated until the chickenpox crusts over. After receiving issuance of a non-contagious diagnosis certificate from doctors, individuals can then return to campus for normal work and classes.
• Ensure good ventilation and regularly disinfect the environment (tables, chairs, doorknobs) using a 1:100 dilution of bleach (500 ppm).

Varicella (also Chickenpox)
Varicella is a high infectious diseases caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), initial (1 to 2 days before rash) contains mild fever (37.5-39° C), fatigue, loss of appetite, headache and muscle or joint pain, after the skin began to rash, and gradually developed into red pimples, rash, pus rash and then scab, by the face, scalp to the trunk limbs, body rash gradually appear quickly blister, and finally left the granular crust (usually about two to four weeks to heal).

Complicated Varicella
Complications from varicella can occur, but they are not common in healthy people who get the disease. People who may get a serious case of varicella and may be at high risk for complications include infants, adults, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems because of illness or medications.

Serious complications from varicella include bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues, pneumonia, infection or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia), blood stream infections (sepsis), dehydration.

Some people with serious complications from varicella can become so sick that they need to be hospitalized. Varicella can also cause death.

Complicated Varicella Surveillance in Taiwan
Taiwan National Infectious Disease Statistics System

Prevention and Control

1. The best way to prevent varicella is to get the varicella vaccine.
2. Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
3. Keep the indoor air circulation, to avoid long-term in a confined space.
4. Keep your hands clean and wash your hands in the right way.
5. Patients should follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. 
6. Varicella patients should adhere to the principle of not going to work and not going to class.

FAQs

1. What is varicella?
   • Varicella is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. The rash can spread over the entire body.
   • Varicella can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The best way to prevent varicella is to get the Varicella vaccine
2. What are the typical symptoms of varicella?
   • The typical symptoms are：
     • (1)fever
     • (2)blister-like rash with severe itching all over the body
     • (3)loss of appetite
     • (4)tiredness 
   • If you have been vaccinated for varicella, some people can still get the disease, but it is  usually mild with fewer blisters and low or no fever.
3. When is a person contagious?
   • A person with varicella can spread the disease from 1 to 2 days before they get the rash until all their varicella blisters have formed scabs (usually 5-7 days).
   • It takes about 2 weeks (from 10 to 21 days) after exposure to a person with varicella or  shingles for someone to develop varicella.

More Information
USA CDC－Chickenpox  (Varicella)