SANGER (KMJ) — Several confirmed cases of Chickenpox have been discovered at a Sanger Unified school.
Officials state that those who have it are all at Washington Academic Middle School, and recommend that all children be given two doses of the varicella vaccine (which protects against the disease).
In a letter to parents dated May 9th, Department Chair of Health Services Christine Christensen warns that early symptoms include sudden onset of slight fever, feeling of body weakness, and loss of appetite. That is followed by an itchy rash and red spots.
It can be spread from person to person, either by direct contact or a spread of fluid. The incubation period can be between 7 to 21 days.
Fresno County wide, vaccination figures are looking good.
“Fresno County has always had a high percentage rate of immunization,” reveals the Department of Public Health’s Leticia Berber. “We’ve always been in the 90s, 80s 90s. So our community is pretty well up to date with their immunizations.
“But if those rates do go down below 80% that could threaten the health of our community.”
She adds that mass take-up of the inoculation is needed to create what’s called “herd immunity.”
“Herd immunity meaning we have a large number of students, individuals, immunized… protecting those individuals who can not be immunized.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
