Herpes zoster, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2000-2016.

During 2000-2016, a total of 52,895 active component service members received incident diagnoses of herpes zoster (HZ), for an overall unadjusted incidence rate of 2.5 cases per 1,000 person-years (p-yrs). Compared to their respective counterparts, overall incidence rates of HZ were highest among females, those aged 50 years or older, and Air Force members. Overall rates generally increased with increasing age and were highest among non-Hispanic whites and Asian/Pacific Islanders and lowest among non-Hispanic blacks. Unadjusted annual incidence rates of HZ increased steadily from 2000 to a peak in 2014. From 2000 through 2016, annual rates of HZ increased in each service and increases in annual rates were seen in all race/ethnicity groups. Individuals who were identified as immunocompromised constituted 2.1% of the total incident HZ cases. During 2000-2016, the cumulative numbers of incident cases of HZ were highest during June, July, and August. The increase in HZ incidence observed in this and many other studies is a public health concern that requires a better understanding of key risk factors. Additional research focused on these factors could make trends more interpretable, suggest new approaches for prevention and treatment of HZ, and allow for better targeting of existing strategies.