Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles) [2]. It is a human-specific virus that establishes latency in ganglionic neurons after primary infection, with reactivation causing shingles and potential complications including postherpetic neuralgia and other neurological manifestations [1].
Disease overview
Varicella-zoster virus infection unspecified
水痘-带状疱疹病毒感染未分型
Evidence-backed informationEN 1/5 applicable sections · ZH 1/5 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox), which can be severe in immunocompromised individuals, infants, and adults [1]. Primary infection is followed by latency in ganglionic neurons, during which no virus particles are produced and no obvious neuronal damage occurs [1]. Reactivation of the virus leads to virus replication, causing zoster (shingles) in tissues innervated by the involved neurons, inflammation, and cell death—a process that can lead to persistent radicular pain (postherpetic neuralgia) [1]. VZV is the causative agent of both varicella and zoster, and is the only human herpesvirus for which highly effective vaccines are available [1].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile2
- 1Gershon AA et al. Varicella zoster virus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015 Jul 2. PMID: 27188665. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.16.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27188665/
- 2Zerboni L et al. Molecular mechanisms of varicella zoster virus pathogenesis. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2014 Mar. PMID: 24509782. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro3215.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24509782/
- B01-B02
- 1E90-1E91
Coverage
Reporting countries and regions
Trends by reporting country
Monthly patterns over time
Data access
Page dataset index with source links and update metadata.
Official sourcesAuthority, cadence, notes10
Australia NINDSS
Australia
Australian national notifiable diseases surveillance dashboard.
Australia NINDSS — Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Australian Capital Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — New South Wales
New South Wales, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for New South Wales, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Northern Territory
Northern Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Northern Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Queensland, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — South Australia
South Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for South Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Tasmania, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Victoria
Victoria, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Victoria, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Western Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Finland THL Infectious Diseases Register
Finland
Finland THL Infectious Diseases Register national monthly case counts. The current month is ingested as provisional and the latest three months are refreshed for source revisions.