March 2026

Hawaii Department of Health Medical Advisory

Varicella (Chickenpox) Outbreak – Update #2
February 11, 2026

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a varicella (chickenpox) outbreak with community transmission on the North Shore of Kauai Island. Healthcare providers across the state are encouraged to remain vigilant and take appropriate preventive and infection-control measures.
As of February 10, 2026, DOH has confirmed 12 cases of varicella in the area. A varicella outbreak is defined as three or more epidemiologically linked cases, meaning the outbreak threshold has been met.

What Healthcare Providers Should Know

During this outbreak, the Department of Health recommends that healthcare providers:
• Encourage varicella vaccination among all non-immune eligible individuals
• Remain vigilant for patients presenting with symptoms consistent with varicella infection
• Conduct exposure assessments and determine eligibility for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• Implement infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings to reduce transmission

How Varicella Spreads

Varicella is highly contagious, spreading through:
• Direct contact with infected skin lesions
• Aerosolized particles from vesicular fluid
• Respiratory secretions that may become airborne
Individuals are considered infectious from 1–2 days before rash onset until all lesions have crusted over, which typically occurs within 5–7 days.

Vaccination Recommendations

Vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy.
Two doses of the varicella vaccine are:
• 88–98% effective at preventing infection
• 100% effective at preventing severe illness

Recommended schedule:

Children
• First dose: 12–15 months
• Second dose: 4–6 years
Minimum interval between doses
• 3 months between doses for children 12 months–12 years
• 28 days between doses for individuals 13 years and older

Individuals Who Should Not Receive the Vaccine

The varicella vaccine is not recommended for:
• Infants under 12 months
• Pregnant women
• Severely immunocompromised individuals
Providers should consider discussing vaccination of household contacts to reduce exposure risk.

High-Risk Patients

Varicella illness can become severe in:
• Immunocompromised patients
• Pregnant women
• Infants
• Older adolescents and adults
• Patients with chronic skin or lung disease
• Patients receiving steroid or chronic aspirin therapy

Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Facilities

To reduce transmission in healthcare settings:
• Ensure healthcare workers have documented immunity to varicella
• Ask patients with symptoms to call ahead before visiting the clinic
• Immediately remove suspected cases from waiting areas
• Place patients in a negative airflow room when available
If a negative airflow room is unavailable:
• Place the patient in a private room
• Keep the door closed
• Do not reuse the room for at least one hour after the patient leaves
Healthcare workers caring for suspected or confirmed cases should follow standard, airborne, and contact precautions.

Reporting Varicella Cases

Varicella is a routine category notifiable condition in Hawaii. Providers should report cases to the Hawaii Department of Health.

Reporting Numbers
Oahu Disease Reporting Line
(808) 586-4586
Maui District Health Office
(808) 984-8213
Kauai District Health Office
(808) 241-3563
Big Island District Health Office (Hilo)
(808) 933-0912
Big Island District Health Office (Kona)
(808) 322-4877
After hours (Oahu)
(808) 600-3625
After hours (Neighbor Islands)
(800) 360-2575

Additional Resources

Hawaii Department of Health – Varicella Information
https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/chickenpox-varicella-zoster/
CDC – Clinical Overview of Chickenpox
https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/clinical-overview/
CDC – Varicella Vaccine Recommendations
https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/vaccine-considerations/
CDC – Varicella Infection Control Guidance
https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/healthcare-personnel-epidemiology-control/varicella.html

BEWARE OF SCAM PHONE CALLS TARGETING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026

HONOLULU — The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is warning the public about phone scammers impersonating state officials and government agencies to target medical professionals. These scammers make false threats of investigations in an attempt to obtain sensitive personal information.

Reports have surfaced of individuals pretending to be government officials contacting licensees, falsely claiming an investigation is being conducted into their professional license. Scammers have been impersonating state and federal officials to include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hawaiʻi Medical Board, and respective states’ Departments of Health and Human Services.

Recent incidents have involved dental and medical doctor licensees. Other medical professionals, including nurses, pharmacists and others, have often and may continue to be targeted.

The scammers may request various personal information and in some cases, even use Caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate government agency, to increase the illusion of credibility for the scam.

Within the state of Hawaiʻi, the DCCA Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) is the authority to conduct independent investigations into licensees. RICO’s official communications are sent on letterhead and include contact information for RICO offices. RICO does not ask for sensitive personal information over the phone, or attempt to solicit wire transfers

Only the 52 licensing boards, commissions and programs that are affiliated with the Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) division of the DCCA can discipline the licensee, after appropriate notification and investigation.

The 52 boards, commissions and programs do not, however, conduct investigations. Additionally, states’ Departments of Health and Human Services do not have the authority to suspend or revoke professional or vocational licenses, nor initiate an investigation into a Hawaiʻi professional’s license.

Here are some tips to consider when determining whether calls and texts that may be scams:

BE wary and vigilant of callers posing as law enforcement or government agencies, who specifically ask you to pay by gift card, money sharing app, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, law enforcement and other government agencies will not call to solicit money or threaten arrest.

NEVER give out personal identifying information such as account numbers, social security numbers or birthdates in response to unexpected calls/if you did not initiate the call/place the order.

If you SUSPECT fraudulent activity, immediately hang up and call the phone number on your account statement or government agency website or vendor to verify the authenticity.

If you have received any calls similar to what has been described above or are seeking to verify contact from DCCA, please call the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division at 1-844-808-3222 (DCCA).

A list of programs and contact information is available at https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/ (https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/).

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