Unfortunately there have been a number of confirmed cases of chickenpox in the school.  Chickenpox usually begins with a sudden onset of fever, runny nose, cough and tiredness. About one to two days later a rash appears, starting as pink blotches that quickly become fluid filled blisters. The rash is usually more concentrated over the trunk, face and scalp.

• Chickenpox is very easily spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by direct contact with fluid from the nose and throat or contact with the liquid in the blisters. A person can be infectious from two days before the rash develops. 
• Anyone with chickenpox should be excluded from school, childcare or work for at least 5 days from when the blisters first appeared, and should not return until all the blisters have formed dry scabs.
• Vaccinated children may still develop chickenpox but the symptoms are often milder, with fewer blisters. Even if the symptoms are mild, the person is still able to pass the infection onto others and should be excluded.
• You should talk to your doctor if you are concerned that you or your child are not immune to chickenpox. Someone may be non-immune if they haven’t had the infection before or haven’t had the chickenpox vaccine.

Please contact your doctor or ACT Health on 5124 9213 if you require any further information about chickenpox.