Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
We have just received information from Oklahoma State Department of Health verifying that there has been an outbreak of Varicella in the Perry Public Schools. Please pay close attention to the following information. Additional information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control or the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
-----Original Message-----
From: Mitchell, Kimberly E. [mailto:KimberM@health.ok.gov] On Behalf Of OK-HAN
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:49 PM
Subject: OK-HAN Advisory: Outbreak of Varicella in School-Aged Children, Noble County, Oklahoma
Please be advised of the following Oklahoma Health Alert Network Health Advisory: Outbreak of Varicella in School-Aged Children, Noble County, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Noble County Health Department are investigating an outbreak of varicella (chickenpox) associated with school-aged children attending public schools in Perry, Oklahoma. Approximately 18 children to date from the Perry schools have been reported ill with symptoms consistent with chickenpox. Most affected children have one documented varicella vaccination, indicating that breakthrough disease (chickenpox occurring in a previously vaccinated person) is contributing to this outbreak. In response to the outbreak, school officials distributed letters to parents advising vaccination for children who have not already received the recommended two doses of varicella vaccine. The Noble County Health Department is holding daily varicella vaccination clinics this week between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The OSDH Acute Disease Service (ADS) requests schools in Noble County to be on alert for possible cases of varicella. Children with symptoms of varicella should be excluded from attending school immediately upon identification and until all blisters have dried and crusted over to prevent transmission to other students. Schools are also advised to review student health records to identify children who do not have documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine and to inform parents of the recommended two doses for protection against chickenpox. Adult faculty and staff should also be screened to determine if a vaccination is needed for their protection against varicella disease.
Although individual cases of varicella are not reportable in Oklahoma, suspected outbreaks of varicella in schools and other institutional settings should be reported to the Epidemiologist-on-Call at (405) 271-4060, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for investigation and institution of control measures. Please see the attached advisory for more information.
Kim Mitchell
Health Alert Network Coordinator
Acute Disease Service Oklahoma State Dept. of Health
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Terri Taflinger
Superintendent of Frontier Schools