Kentucky’s largest city is seeing a “spike” in probable and confirmed cases of the highly contagious chickenpox, all of which have been in unvaccinated people or in babies too young to be inoculated, according to the city health department.  The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness said Friday that there have been 14 cases of chickenpox this year in Jefferson County among unvaccinated children and adults. Seven of those were reported in November, doubling the number of cases in the 10 months prior.  There have also been a “handful” of cases in nearby counties, said Dr. Kris Bryant, the associate medical director at the health department and a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Norton Children’s Hospital. “Chickenpox is a mild disease in many children. Before we had the availability of chickenpox vaccines, nearly everybody in the U.S. got chickenpox by the time they were 9 or 10,” Bryant said during a morning press conference. “But there are certainly people who are at risk for more severe disease.”  Those more at risk include pregnant people, young children and people with weakened immune systems, she said.  Chickenpox cases in Louisville from 2019-2024. (The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness) Who should get vaccinated?  Children should get their first dose of the chickenpox vaccine between 12-15 months old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They can then get a second dose between 4-6 years old. The 2-dose regime is about 90% effective, according to the CDC.  Symptoms of chickenpox include rashes of itchy, “fluid-filled” blisters — up to 500 — that start on the face, chest and back and then spread to the rest of the body, according to the CDC. The disease is contagious until all spots scab over, Bryant said.  Chickenpox primarily spreads through touching or “close contact” with someone with the disease, according to the CDC.  “I encourage parents and guardians to discuss the chickenpox vaccine with their health care provider,” Bryant said. “We can protect children from this potentially dangerous illness.”  Medical providers should report chickenpox cases to the health department, Bryant said,  by calling 502-574-6675 or via the form on our website.  “Chickenpox has been so uncommon in our community in recent years…that there are many health care providers in our community who have never seen a case of chickenpox,” Bryant said. “That’s a testament to our immunization program.”  The post Louisville sees ‘spike’ in chickenpox cases among the unvaccinated  appeared first on The Lexington Times.