87th MDG provides guidance for chickenpox prevention Published May 4, 2012 By 87th Medical Group public health staff and 2nd Lt. Alexis McGee Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 87th Medical Group health officials encourage members of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community to receive the chickenpox vaccine to help reduce the severity of the illness or prevent it all together. Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease that can cause discomfort and can - albeit rarely - result in death. The illness typically lasts for three to seven days and is preventable through a vaccination. The two-part vaccine is made from a weakened varicella virus that produces an immune response in the body protecting it from chickenpox. The vaccine was licensed for use in the United States in 1995 and has been widely used since that time. The number of people who contract chickenpox each year, as well as hospitalizations and deaths from the illness, have gone down dramatically in the United States since the vaccine was licensed for use. Medical officials recommend individuals get vaccinated even after exposure to chickenpox because it can prevent the disease or make it less serious. The vaccine also provides protection for individuals exposed to the disease in the future. Individuals who have previously had chickenpox or have received the vaccination may be immune to the disease, but should still take precautions if they come in contact with someone with chickenpox. Joint base medical officials encourage people who think they or their families have been exposed to someone with chickenpox, and are unsure of their immunity, to contact their primary care manager immediately. "When people develop the initial symptoms of chickenpox, which include a slight fever and a red-raised rash, they should avoid large social gatherings and any exposure to others," said Gary Curry, 87th Aerospace Medical Squadron public health officer. "People should avoid visiting the doctor unless their symptoms worsen." Though chickenpox has not been confirmed within the JB MDL community, the Federal Correctional Institution at JB MDL released a report May 1 confirming 18 cases of chickenpox within the facility. The last case reported was April 21and all confirmed cases have since been isolated. "We always want to take any precautions in any event such as this to reduce the risk of exposure to personnel inside and outside the facility," said Wylie Jenkins, public information officer and executive assistant at FCI. FCI contacted the 87th MDG public health staff to inform them of the chickenpox cases. Curry said the two facilities have a working relationship and contact each other if either facility discovers an outbreak. He added that the chickenpox cases at FCI pose no foreseen risk for the JB MDL community. More information on chickenpox can be found at the following website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/default.htm. The Public Health Flight is also available to answer any questions at 754-9701.