Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. The virus spreads mainly by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters, and possibly through tiny droplets from infected people that get into the air after they breathe or talk, for example.

Where did chickenpox originally come from?

Chickenpox has been traced back to Europe in the 17th century. It was originally thought to be a milder form of smallpox by an English doctor by the name of Richard Morton.

What animal did chickenpox come from?

The first chickenpox viruses probably emerged 70m years ago, around the time dinosaurs went extinct, and infected our distant ancestors – probably small furry mammals that lived in family groups in trees. Since that time, chickenpox viruses have evolved with us.