Archive for Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Chicken pox cases reported at two schools
Health officials urge at-risk students to undergo vaccination
October 3, 2007
Advertisement
Health and school officials are warning families about exposure to chicken pox, after eight reported cases at Hillcrest Elementary and one at Free State High School.
Several incidences of the disease also have been reported recently in Jefferson County.
Charlotte Marthaler, director of policy and planning for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, said health workers and school nursing staffs have worked to identify students and staff members who were at risk. That would include anyone who has not had chicken pox and has not been vaccinated.
The health department is offering the varicella vaccine for free to at-risk children and staff members. The department is open until 7 p.m. today and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Local physicians also may have the vaccine.
Marthaler said the sooner exposed children get vaccinated, they are less likely to get the disease or have as severe symptoms.
"It's always a good idea for parents to check their children's immunization records to make sure they are up to date," Marthaler said.
At Hillcrest School, 1045 Hilltop Drive, health officials say fewer than 40 unvaccinated fifth- and sixth-graders were exposed, she said. At Free State, the number is believed to be fewer.
School district spokeswoman Julie Boyle said health and school leaders sent letters and information home today with Hillcrest students.
According to the health department, anyone born before 1980 is considered immune to the illness.
Usually a mild disease, chicken pox can be serious, especially for infants and adults. Symptoms include rash, itching, fever and fatigue.
Top ads RSS
- IT Director Newcomer Group, a privately owned, forward thinking company ...
- Phlebotomist - Receptionist Seeking a dynamic, hard working Phlebotomist/ receptionist ...
- Weekend Nurse The following positions are available: LPN for days ...
- Summer Instructors Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy at KU is ...
- Weekend Nurse The following positions are available: LPN for days ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Kansans rally for statewide smoking ban, point to health benefits February 9, 2010 · 18 comments
- ‘Tea party’ is Palin’s people February 7, 2010 · 230 comments
- Blog: Haskell Indian Nations University Get's Another Day Off. February 9, 2010 · 4 comments
- Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform considered February 9, 2010 · 49 comments
- Kansas Legislature considers poverty waivers for those looking to get married, but unable to pay fees February 9, 2010 · 35 comments
- Open house to discuss Highway 56 moved to Baldwin City school February 9, 2010 · 10 comments
- Poll: Paper, plastic or, no thanks, I brought my own tote bag? February 8, 2010 · 48 comments
- Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77 February 9, 2010 · 89 comments
- Blog: Marion - Disappeareded 1-23-2010 January 23, 2010 · 805 comments
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010 · 71 comments
- Under her wing: Parent writes book on developmental disabilities February 8, 2010
- KU employee suspected of charging personal items on university credit card February 9, 2010
- Eudora man hospitalized after head-on crash into tree February 9, 2010
- KU communication studies professor is a finalist for MU post February 9, 2010
- HealthGrades releases list of hospitals with lower mortality, complication rates February 9, 2010
- Aldrich’s father gets to ‘live a dream’ — in Lawrence February 9, 2010
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010
- Open house to discuss Highway 56 moved to Baldwin City school February 9, 2010
- House gives preliminary OK for Kansas universities to bypass purchasing requirements February 9, 2010
- Tour of Lawrence offers events for all ages, interests February 9, 2010
3 October 2007
at 5:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
smartmomma (Anonymous) says…
Great..I was born after 1980, unvacinated and have never had them…..
3 October 2007
at 6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…
… that could make you patient “less-than-zero.”
3 October 2007
at 7:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
torcia (Anonymous) says…
In other breaking news a dog was reported barking
3 October 2007
at 7:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
The_Voice_of_Reason (Anonymous) says…
Good to know there is someone else in the world that was born after 1980 and has never had them or the vaccine… I'm right there with ya Smartmomma…. guess you and me beat the odds….
3 October 2007
at 7:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
secretresistance (Anonymous) says…
This being reported as news actually scares me. I hope society at large soon begins to think about a possible link between over-vaccination and the scads of auto-immune diseases that are becoming so prevalent. We're honestly supposed to be afraid of chicken pox now? There are many dollars to be made behind this fear mongering, at the expense of the health of the next generation. It's sickening.
3 October 2007
at 7:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
yankeelady (Anonymous) says…
Times have really changed. When I was a kid, if one of the kids in the neighborhood came down with chicken pox, all the mom's took their children over to “visit”. The idea being that chicken pox was inevitable so it was better to get it over with. What were they thinking???
3 October 2007
at 7:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
busymom (Anonymous) says…
Since when did the attribution need to be placed twice in the same sentence? Oh and I remember those days of having to visit when one of the neighborhood kids became ill with the chicken pox. If I remember right, I had alot visit me.
3 October 2007
at 8:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Pogo (Anonymous) says…
OH NO!!!
shingles are next!
3 October 2007
at 8:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…
I doubt we'll see many new physicians hanging out shingles over a simple chicken pox outbreak.
3 October 2007
at 8:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
One of my kids was exposed to the chicken pox about 5 times before she finally got them. She wasn't 2 yet. And boy, was it bad…..The chicken pox vaccination was a new thing then. And when she got them, the entire neighborhood came to visit the babysitter's house.
3 October 2007
at 8:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Tychoman (Anonymous) says…
This just in: There was a biohazard incident today at Lawrence High when a student allegedly sneezed into a tissue. Officials are saying it has been contained and is being investigated.
3 October 2007
at 9:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
GretchenJP (Anonymous) says…
Slow news day today?
3 October 2007
at 9:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
I'm no scientician, but I'm not sure Chicken Pox is worthy of an article. Perhaps they meant Monkey Pox.
3 October 2007
at 10:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
GretchenJP (Anonymous) says…
*crickets*