Update: Chickenpox outbreak reported at Greensboro school
GREENSBORO — Guilford County health officials are encouraging parents to immunize their children against the varicella virus following an outbreak at the Academy at Lincoln.
Seventeen students at the school have contracted chickenpox since April 22, according to the Department of Public Health. Parents have received three letters about the cases, but health officials notified the media Friday after three students became ill this week.
"We felt like with the press release we could get more information to parents, not only at this school but at other schools," said Connie Jones, communicable disease nurse consultant with the health department.
Jones said 40 students and one teacher from Lincoln have received vaccines in response to the outbreak. The vaccines are free at the health department and could prevent or minimize symptoms of the virus.
Chickenpox is a common infection, with most cases occurring in children up to age 10. A person can catch chickenpox by coming in contact with the fluid from the blisters or breathing contaminated air when an infected person speaks or coughs.
No other schools have seen outbreaks, Jones said, and no infected Lincoln students were hospitalized.
"We generally expect this time of year for random cases to be in our schools," Jones said.
Contact Morgan Josey Glover at 373-7078 or morgan.josey@news-record.com
Prevention tips
Seek medical care immediately if exposed to chickenpox. High risk groups include people with weakened immune systems due to disease or medications, newborns whose mothers had chickenpox around the time of delivery, premature babies, and pregnant women.
Children under 18 should receive two doses of the vaccine. Schedule any needed immunizations by contacting the childs pediatrician or the health department in Greensboro at 641-5563 or in High Point at 845-7699. Vaccinations at the health department are free, but bring your childs health insurance or Medicaid card.
Individuals who cannot be vaccinated should be protected from exposure by avoiding those suspected of having chickenpox.
Aspirin should never be given to children under age 19 who have chickenpox because it can result in a potentially fatal disease called Reye Syndrome. Aspirin may be listed on the medicine label as: acetylsalicylate, salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, ASA or salicylic acid.
For more information, contact Guilford County Department of Public Health at 641-7777 or visit http://www.guilfordhealth.org
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