How long can the varicella-zoster virus last on surfaces?

Shingles: We don't generally worry about shingles virus being spread by surfaces. As a rule you can give someone chicken pox if you have shingles so you should not have anyone with a poor immune system touch your shingles rash. I think the virus probably could survive on a surface but since chicken pox itself is usually spread by breathing on someone doubt you could give chicken pox this way.