oa Epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Qatar (2012-2014)

Background: Chickenpox is a contagious viral disease that affects any age group. Chickenpox is the most common infectious disease in Qatar. Most affected age groups in Qatar in the last three years are children. Chickenpox vaccination has been included in Qatar National Immunization Program in 2000.

Aim: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of chickenpox in Qatar in the year 2012–2014.

Methods: Descriptive analysis based on data retrieved from routine surveillance system, Qatar Information Exchange, Ministry Of Development Planning And Statistics and National Immunization Program. Incidence rate was calculated for each year by gender and age groups.

Results: Total number of chickenpox cases registered in Qatar in 2014 was 574 with the incidence (259.1 per 100,000) which was higher than 2012 (244.5) and 2013 (237.4). Most affected age groups in 2012 and 2013 were 5–9 years old (105.6 per 10,000) and (82.7 per 10,000) respectively while in 2014 age group 0–4 was most affected one (87.9 per 10,000). There was a remarkable increase in the incidence rate of chickenpox in the age groups 15–19, 45–49 and 50+ in 2014 comparing to 2012 and 2013. Although the number of affected cases was higher among men comparing to women, the incidence rate in men was lower.

Conclusion: Increase of incidence rate in 2014 comparing to 2012 and 2013 influenced by the increase of the incidence rate in middle and older age groups. Our results indicate that more evidence is needed to recommend use of varicella vaccine in adults and not only in children.