INDIANAPOLIS— Eight cases of chickenpox have been diagnosed in the Southwest Parke School Corporation and have been reported to the Parke County Health Department. In response, students within the school corporation who do not have two properly administered doses of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine on record are being excluded from school until they are vaccinated or until 21 days following the last exposure in school.

The Parke County Health Department and the Southwest Parke School Corporation are holding two in-school immunization clinics for students, faculty, staff, and their families today at Riverton Parke Jr./Sr. High School and Rosedale Elementary School. Approximately 230 unimmunized or under-immunized students and faculty are expected to attend one of the clinics.

In outbreak situations, all students are required to have documentation of immunity to chickenpox, including documentation of disease from a health care provider, two doses of chickenpox vaccine, lab test that proves immunity to chickenpox, or have been born before 1980. 

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although it is commonly associated with children, anyone who has not had chickenpox can become infected. Chickenpox is usually considered a mild childhood rash illness, but it can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, bacterial infections, and even death.

Chickenpox is easily spread from person to person by droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with the rash of an infected person during the contagious period can also spread the disease. Having contact with personal articles, such as clothing or bedding, from a person recently infected with chickenpox may also spread the disease.

A person with chickenpox is considered contagious from two days before the rash appears until the rash has scabbed over.

For more information about chickenpox, visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.StateHealth.in.gov.

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