Health and school officials are warning families about exposure to chicken pox after eight reported cases at Hillcrest School 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 Wednesday that health workers and school nursing staffs have worked to identify students and staff members who were at risk.

Parents are being asked to provide an immunization record to show their child either has had chicken pox or received the varicella vaccine.

“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.

The health department, 200 Maine, is offering the vaccine for free to at-risk children and staff. The department is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Local physicians also may have the vaccine.

Marthaler said the sooner exposed children get vaccinated, the less likely they are to get the disease or have severe symptoms.

At Hillcrest School, 1045 Hilltop Drive, health officials say fewer than 40 unvaccinated children were exposed. Most are fifth- and sixth-graders, Marthaler 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 Wednesday 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.

Because of a new Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulation, parents of children who have been exposed must provide documentation of their immunity or they may not attend school for 21 days after the last case is diagnosed.

Marthaler said that the health department and schools were working with families and students now and that the 21-day regulation would start later if it even became necessary.