By Ethan Covey
A program focused on expanding laboratory testing for varicella in Minnesota has highlighted the importance of lab confirmation to correctly diagnose the disease.
Varicella can present diagnostic challenges, particularly among patients who have received a varicella vaccine (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:245-246).
In 2016, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) established expanded laboratory testing for confirmation of varicella in the state. The MDH Public Health Laboratory