Kettering schools advising parents of chickenpox outbreak
Public Health says 7 cases have been identified in a ‘limited geographic area.’
KETTERING — An outbreak of seven cases of chickenpox has been identified in Kettering by health officials and led the school district to alert parents that their children should remain home if they are infected with the virus.
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus. The disease results in a skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab over.
It can spread through direct contact with the rash. It can also spread when a person with the chickenpox coughs or sneezes and the air droplets are inhaled, according to health officials.
Cases of chickenpox have been low in Montgomery County in recent years. There were five confirmed cases in 2015, three in
2016, six in 2017, 10 in 2018 and six in 2019. In that same time frame there were a total of 53 probable cases that were identified, according to Public Health — Dayton and Montgomery County.
“There are a few cases per year,” Dan Suffoletto of Public Health said. “What makes this different is that there are seven cases in a limited geographic area.”
“If you suspect your child is ill with chickenpox, please inform the school and keep your child at home. Your child should remain out of school until all of the chickenpox lesions have crusted over (typically approximately six days),” a letter from the Kettering school district states.
Chickenpox is usually a mild disease but has the potential to cause severe complications in certain high risk individuals, including immunocompromised children, susceptible pregnant females, and premature infants of less than 28 weeks gestation.
The best way to prevent a child from catching chickenpox is through vaccination. While some vaccinated children can develop a mild chickenpox infection, called “breakthrough disease,” the vaccine is 80–85% effective against infection and more than 95% effective against severe disease.
A second booster dose of vaccine is recommended to increase immunity and prevent “breakthrough infection.” This most often will apply to preschool-age children from 1-4-years-old, according to the school’s letter.
“Your child’s vaccination records should indicate if he or she has had the second dose of the vaccine, and your private doctor or Public Health Dayton Montgomery County should be able to provide your child with a second dose of the vaccine, if needed,” Earley stated.
The health department has recommended that students who are unvaccinated be excluded from school for 21 days after the last identified case (March 5, 2020.)
“While the Kettering City School District is not requiring any unvaccinated students to be excluded, we do suggest that you have a conversation with your medical provider to determine what is the best course of action for your child,” Earley noted in his statement.
If parents have any questions about the announcement, they are being asked to call the school or to contact the Public Health Dayton Montgomery County at 937-225-5700.