Trend of chickenpox incident cases through absent vaccination in Najaf Governorate-Iraq from January 2009 to May 2014

Abstract

Background: Chickenpox infection is a common and highly contagious viral disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is highly endemic disease with increasing annual incidence in absence of varicella immunization program in Iraq. The predominance of uncomplicated cases in children tends to overshadow the morbidity associated with social and economic burden of families in addition to risk of complication in younger age groups. Chickenpox now has been considered one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in many countries including Iraq.

Amis of the study: Describing the epidemiology of registered clinical cases of chickenpox in Najaf governorate of January 2009 to May 2014. More over verifying the increasing number of incident cases of chickenpox for future need of varicella vaccine in Iraq.

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted of January 2009 to May 2014, and the data was collected of the public health department of the existing anonymous surveillance of chickenpox. Those monthly records were sent of corresponding surveillance units of six districts in Najaf governorate including north of Najaf, south of Najaf, Al-Kufa, Al-manathera, Al-abbassiya and Al-mishkhab districts. The variables included age groups, gender, and district distributions in this study were based on a classification used in the surveillance system in Iraq.

Results: The frequency of chickenpox cases in Najaf Governorate revealed an obvious rise of (1076) in 2009 and (2563) in 2010 to (4692) in 2o13. The incidence rate of occurrence of clinical chickenpox cases also shows an obvious rise in 2011 was 408/100000 population. Most often cases occurred in age group 5-14 years (75 %) and only (3.05 %) in those over 45 years. According to gender distribution, there was sustained non-significant preponderance for the male over female. All registered cases had shown the same seasonal distribution with two peaks of infection per year; spring (March, April and May) and early winter (November, December and January) seasons. Median Endemic Index of chickenpox cases in Najaf in May of 2009-2013 was 633 and the number of cases during January through May 2014 was 558.

Conclusion: chickenpox is still increasing in incident cases in Najaf governorate which necessitate thinking of varicella vaccine recommendation.