Chickenpox alert at Hobart high school

PARENTS of Taroona High students have been alerted over a case of chickenpox.

The school wrote to parents this week, saying there had been a case of chickenpox at the school and other children may have been exposed.

“If your child has not had chickenpox before it is quite likely that he/she will catch it,” the school said.

Chickenpox is a common childhood illness but can be a serious infection for those with very weak immune systems and for pregnant women.

“Fever and cold symptoms are often the first signs of illness and are followed by the appearance of the typical rash. The rash starts as small pink bumps, often around the neck, ears, back and stomach. These develop a little water blister, which in turn becomes yellow and oozy and ultimately crusty as it dries,” the letter says.

“The rash spreads outwards to involve the whole body, finally involving the lower arms and legs. People may have only a few spots or may be virtually covered with them. In children it is usually a relatively mild illness, however occasionally complications develop.”

Symptoms usually develop 10 to 21 days after exposure and an infected person can spread infection for up to three days before the rash appears and until the last pox is crusted and dry.

The letter advised parents not to bring children with suspected cases to the doctor because the infection could spread. Instead, contact a doctor. Also, do not use aspirin in suspected cases.

THE top floor of a Mangalore house has been destroyed after a pet dog knocked over a burning candle.

Crews from Bagdad, Brighton and Bridgewater attended the blaze on Mountford Drive just before 1pm yesterday.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire on the top floor of the two-storey house.

Tasmania Fire Service said an investigation found the estimated damage to be between $60,000 and $80,000.

“A pet dog has accidentally knocked over a candle that was alight causing a fire,” the statement read.

“The owners were at home at the time of the fire, however this is a timely reminder to ensure that lit candles are not left unattended.”