Warden schools up to 21 chicken pox cases

by Aimee Seim<br>Herald Staff Writer
| April 12, 2006 9:00 PM

Health district strongly recommending vaccinations

WARDEN — While Grant County Health District officials may have been hoping the chicken pox outbreak in the Warden School District would improve during the spring break, the number of cases has increased.

According to GCHD director of personal health services Peggy Grigg, as of Tuesday morning that number has doubled to 21 since the beginning of March.

Initially the outbreak was seen among students at the elementary school level, but some cases have since been reported at the high school.

"Given the degree of the infectiousness of chicken pox it isn't surprising," Grigg said.

Chicken pox is a disease caused by a virus and results in a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness and fever. The rash most commonly appears on the trunk and face, but can spread over the entire body.

The disease is spread through direct contact or via the air.

In a statement released by the health district on Monday, parents are advised not to send their children back to school until all pox are scabbed over. It can take several days or weeks for that to take place.

The statement also advises that all students and staff who have not been vaccinated with the varicella vaccine, get vaccinated if they have not had chicken pox in the past.

Health district officials caution that failure to get vaccinated could result in students being excluded from school. The vaccination is not being required, but is strongly recommended.

Starting July 1, Washington State will begin requiring students to have proof that they have received the varicella vaccine for entry to kindergarten and sixth grade, including child care facilities.

The health district is offering varicella vaccine immunizations at Warden Elementary on April 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. and for the month of April in their Moses Lake office at 1038 West Ivy Street, Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

A parent or guardian of any child under 18 must be present during the clinics.