Disease
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Agent: Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Source: Primary secretions of respiratory tract of infected person and to a lesser degree skin lesions (scabs not infectious)
Transmission: Direct contact, droplet (airborne) spread, and contaminated objects
Incubation period: 2-3 weeks, usually 13-17 days
Period of communicability: Probably 1 day before eruption of lesions (prodromal period) to 6 days after first crop of vesicles when crusts have formed
Chickenpox (varicella).
