Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of varicella in Maonan District, Maoming City during 2008-2010, to provide the basis for developing prevention and control strategies. MethodsEpidemic data of varicella in Maonan District during 2005-2014 were collected from the China information system for disease prevention and control and then analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods.ResultsA total of 912 cases of chicken pox were reported in Maonan District from 2005 to 2014 and the average annual incidence rate was 11.18/100 000. Two peaks in the incidence of varicella were observed, the first from April to June (264 cases) and the second from December to January (305 cases), accounting for 28.95% and 33.44% of the total cases, respectively. The top five towns or street offices with the most reported cases (724 cases) were Hedong, Guandu, Hexi, Gongguan, and Zhanqian, accounting for 79.39% of the total cases. The cases were mainly the children aged 1-10 years (722 cases), accounting for 79.17% of the total cases. Of all the cases, 556 were male and 356 were female, with a male to female ratio of 1.56∶1. Cases were mainly the school children (392 cases), followed by the children in child care settings (237 cases) and scattered children (192 cases), accounting for 42.98%, 25.99%, and 21.05% of the total cases, respectively. Six outbreaks of varicella were reported in Maonan District during 2005-2014, with a total of 123 cases, mainly occurred in the kindergartens and primary schools.ConclusionThe outbreaks of varicella showed a rising trend in Maonan District in recent years and the children aged 1-10 years were the high-risk group. Henceforth, the vaccination program of varicella should be expanded to reduce the incidence of varicella.