Epidemiologie van windpokken en zona vastgesteld door huisartsen : 2006-2010

In the light of new developments on vaccination we studied the epidemiology of chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). We studied the number of cases of chickenpox and shingles through the network of sentinel GP's from 2006 to 2010. The incidence in general practice in Flanders for chickenpox varied between 28,8 and 35,7/10, 000. Highest incidence was noted in the age group 1-4 years old with an average of 495/10,000 in 2006-2010. Out of all cases 91% of the cases was younger than 10 years. Consultation-incidence for shingles varied from 38.3 to 46.4/10, 000, with highest incidence in 70-79 years old. Insight into the epidemiology of chickenpox and shingles is important to evaluate the need for a generalized vaccination.