Two students at Fayetteville High School diagnosed with chickenpox

FAYETTEVILLE -- Two students at Fayetteville High School have been diagnosed with chickenpox, the school district announced Monday night.

The school is working with the Arkansas Department of Health to follow the new regulations on varicella vaccinations, which require two doses of the vaccine. The new regulations became effective Sept. 1, according to a news release.

The law requires students who have been exposed to chickenpox at school and have not had the second dose of the vaccine to be withheld from school for 21 days from the date of exposure or until the student has received the second dose of the vaccine prior to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The student can provide proof of receiving the second dose of the vaccine or can provide proof from his or her physician of a history of chickenpox.

Fayetteville High School staff members and district administrators are calling the parents of the students who were exposed to the diagnosed students and informing them of the situation and how they can remedy it.

An email and voice message also went to all parents Monday night to inform them of the situation, since a large number of students at the high school have not received the second dose of the varicella vaccine, according to school health records. The number of students who have not received the second required dose was not immediately known.

The Centers for Disease Control website states chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, causing a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness and fever. It spreads easily from infected people to others who have had the disease or receive the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox 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.

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine, according to the website.

The classic symptom of chickenpox is the rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters and may first show up on the face, chest, and back then spread to the rest of the body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. Other symptoms, which usually develop one to two days after the rash, include a high fever, loss of appetite and headache, according to the Centers for Disease Control website.

NW News on 09/16/2014

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