Just in time for the California State PTA Convention: OUTBREAK OF CHICKENPOX AMONG UNVACCINATED KIDS IN SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS

Chickenpox outbreak reported at San Diego charter school

 CBS News 8/KFMB Channel 8 | http://bit.ly/1VGmg0E

Posted: Apr 22, 2016 7:22 PM PST Updated: Apr 22, 2016 7:23 PM PST  |  SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A half-dozen students at a charter school in Linda Vista have been diagnosed with chickenpox over the past month and a half, San Diego County health officials reported Friday.

The first student at the San Diego Cooperative Charter School was reported sick March 7, and the most recent diagnosis came Wednesday, according to the county Health and Human Services Agency.

The patients range in age from 5 to 8, and only one was properly vaccinated, the HHSA reported.

"Chickenpox is a preventable disease," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "By having their children immunized with the recommended two doses of the vaccine, parents can help their children avoid chickenpox and prevent it from spreading to others, especially to those who are unable to be vaccinated due to serious medical conditions, and who could become very ill if infected with chickenpox."

The school notified students and staff about the outbreak, as well as the employees at the Mountain View campus because students and staff travel between campuses.

So far this year, 16 cases of chickenpox have been reported to the HHSA, though county health officials usually aren't informed unless there is an outbreak, or if someone is hospitalized or dies.

The highly contagious disease is caused by the varicella virus and is easily spread by coughing, sneezing or being in contact with chickenpox blisters.

Symptoms include a skin rash of blister-like lesions -- covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp and trunk. The risk of complications increases after puberty and includes bacterial infection of skin lesions, dehydration and pneumonia.

Most, but not all, infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears. If exposed, persons who have been vaccinated against the disease may
 get a milder illness, with less severe rash and mild or no fever. The illness lasts about 5-10 days.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Children should be vaccinated at 12-15 months of age and receive the second dose at 4-6 years of age.

Mmore information on chickenpox and immunizations in general is available from the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or online.

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San Diego: Chula Vista school reports chickenpox cluster, most not vaccinated

Posted by Staff | Outbreak News Today |  http://bit.ly/1VGmy7u

 May 1, 2016  ::  San Diego health officials are reporting a second chickenpox cluster in as many weeks in a second school. Last week, officials said six students at San Diego Cooperative Charter School’s Linda Vista campus have been diagnosed with chickenpox (varicella).

This pustulovesicular rash represents a generalized herpes outbreak due to the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pathogen/CDC

On Friday, an unrelated cluster has been reported at the Dehesa Charter School Chula Vista Resource Center. The case count is at nine.

The first student reported illness on March 28 and the latest student to be diagnosed became ill on April 25. People usually get symptoms of chickenpox 14 to 16 days after exposure, with a range of 10 to 21 days, so additional cases may be reported through May 16.

The children diagnosed range in age from 6 through 15 years old.  Eight children were not immunized and one child was up-to-date with the two recommended doses of the varicella vaccine.
The school has notified students and staff about the outbreak.

“The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the varicella vaccine,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The vaccine is very safe and effective, and not only does it protect the person who is being vaccinated, it helps protect those who are unable to get the shot due to underlying medical conditions and who could become very ill if infected with chickenpox.”

There have been 25 cases of chickenpox reported in San Diego County so far in 2016. Chickenpox is not reportable to the County Public Health Department unless it occurs in an outbreak or results in a hospitalization or death.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus. The disease is easily spread by coughing, sneezing or being in contact with chickenpox blisters

Symptoms of chickenpox include a skin rash of blister-like lesions covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. The risk of complications increases after puberty and includes bacterial infection of skin lesions, dehydration and pneumonia.

Most, but not all, infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears. If exposed, persons who have been vaccinated against the disease may get a milder illness, with less severe rash and mild or no fever. The illness lasts about 5 to 10 days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Children should be vaccinated between 12 and 15 months of age and receive the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.