Rowan County Public Health has confirmed a case of chickenpox in a young adult. Officials are conducting investigations and testing, and they are encouraging good hygiene and vaccination to prevent further spread.
As per the Rowan County Health Department release, chickenpox, caused by the varicella zoster virus, spreads through the air or by contact with an infected person. Symptoms, including a rash, fever, headache, and fatigue, typically appear 10 to 21 days after exposure. Individuals are contagious from a day or two before the rash appears until all blisters have dried.
People who have received two doses of the varicella vaccine are generally protected and, if infected, usually experience a mild case. The health department advises monitoring for symptoms, maintaining hand hygiene, and contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms develop. Unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus have a three- to five-day window to receive the vaccine and reduce the risk of infection.
Dr. Darren Kelly, Medical Director of Rowan County Public Health, noted that chickenpox can be more serious in adults, with a higher risk of complications and hospitalization. The county’s last reported case was in 2022.
For vaccine appointments or more information, contact Rowan County Public Health at 704-216-8863 or your primary care provider.
