The New Hope-Solebury School District Health Office Monday notified local parents and guardians that a second case of chickenpox has been diagnosed in the district, this one involving a student attending the middle school. Officials made a similar announcement March 13, when a high school student was diagnosed with the illness.
Said the statement from school officials, “Both of the reported cases in our high school and middle school occurred with students who have been fully immunized. People who are fully immunized are still at risk for contracting the disease.”
The communication went on to describe symptoms and precautionary measures related to chickenpox: “It spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters,” said the statement.
“Chicken Pox was once a common childhood disease that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV),” advised the school district. “It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. It spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine,” they warned.
More information about chickenpox can be found at the Centers for Disease Control website.
“Chicken Pox is a disease that is reportable to the Bucks County Department of Health,” continued the NH-S statement. “Please speak to your physician if your child develops symptoms of the disease and report a confirmed diagnosis to your school health office as well.”
Elizabeth Simon of the New Hope-Solebury HS-MS Heath Office also advised, “Please feel free to contact the health office if you have additional questions or concerns.”
Leave a Comment