FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cindy Lesinger, (334) 206-2018
Karen M. Landers, M.D., F.A.A.P., (256) 246-1714
The Blount County Health Department is investigating several possible cases of chicken pox in kindergarten, first grade and second grade at Hayden Primary School. Since May 4, about 30 children have had a rash that closely resembles chicken pox. There have not been any severe complications from this rash illness.
Because most of the children have been immunized against chicken pox, the health department is doing some laboratory testing to see if chicken pox is a cause of the rash. Local physicians and health care providers have been notified to be on the lookout for suspect cases of chicken pox and are asked to call the health department to report suspected cases.
Chicken pox was once a common disease of childhood resulting in fever, headache and not feeling well followed by an itchy, blistering type of rash on the face and trunk that forms scabs over four to seven days. Complications include skin infections, pneumonia and central nervous
system symptoms.
People at risk for complications from chicken pox include unvaccinated pregnant women, young infants, people with weakened immune systems, and unvaccinated adults. Vaccinated children who have what is called “breakthrough chicken pox” may have less than 50 spots, may not develop blisters, are less contagious, and are less likely to have severe complications.
A chicken pox vaccine was developed in 1995 which has been responsible for a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths from chicken pox over the past two decades. Prior to the vaccine about 100 to 150 children died from chicken pox each year in the United States. Now the death rate is about 10 patients per year. One dose of vaccine protects against chicken pox about 85 percent of the time. Two doses protect about 98 percent of the time. Chicken pox vaccine became a required vaccine for Alabama school entry in 2001.
Dr. Karen Landers, a pediatrician and Medical Consultant for the Immunization Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health, urges parents to have their children vaccinated for chicken pox at 1 year of age with a booster at 4 years of age. Older children who have not been
vaccinated can be vaccinated according to the routine vaccine schedules.
“Chicken pox vaccine has been responsible for a significant decline in disease and death during the past 20 years. While some children do develop chicken pox, even when vaccinated, disease after vaccine is very mild,” Landers said.
For further information, visit www.adph.org, call your health care provider, or your local health department.
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5/14/15