• Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology scientists, have for the first time in the country, found the presence of Clade 9 variant of varicella zoster virus (VZV).
• So far the clade 9 is the most common strain in circulation in countries such as Germany, UK and USA.

ABOUT VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV)

• According to the World Health Organisation, Varicella-zoster is a herpes virus that causes chickenpox, a common childhood illness.
  • Herpes zoster (HZ), commonly known as shingles, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV).

ABOUT CHICKENPOX

• Chickenpox is also known as varicella.
• It is an infectious, viral disease characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body.
• It is a highly contagious infectious disease, mainly caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which spreads in a similar way to cold and other flu–
  • Coming in contact with someone who has chickenpox.
  • Breathing air from an infected person who sneezes or coughs.
  • Coming in contact with fluids from an infected child’s eyes, nose or mouth.
• The incubation period is 10 to 21 days.