Chickenpox scratches south county

Parents with children attending schools in Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) were notified last week via letters sent home with students about an active case of chickenpox, also known as varicella, that had originated in the elementary school portion of Encampment K-12 School.

“This is to let you know we have an active case of Chickenpox in the Encampment Elementary school,” the letter, dated April 29 and signed by CCSD2 nurses Karen Patton and Melissa Copeland, read. “The majority of children have been vaccinated against Chickenpox, but some children are still susceptible. Their symptoms are usually milder and may not present with the fever ahead of time. The blisters are usually fewer, however, they are just as contagious as anyone who has never been vaccinated.”

In a conversation with CCSD2 Superintendent Jim Copeland on Friday, the Saratoga Sun was informed that Patton believed the case to be what is often known as a “breakout” case. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breakthrough varicella is an infection with wild-type varicella-zoster virus that occurs in those vaccinated against chickenpox more than 42 days after the vaccination. Often, cases of breakthrough varicella are far milder than those cases that occur in those who are unvaccinated. Patients have mild fevers and develop less than 50 lesions.

The Sun also reached out to Kim Deti, Public Information Officer for the Wyoming Department of Health, on Friday who said that there were 13 individuals who had been clinically diagnosed with chickenpox, but that those cases had not been confirmed via laboratory testing by the Department of Health.

“We are taking the situation seriously and following up appropriately, working together with nursing staff from the Carbon County Public Health office,” said Deti. “We would advise any ill individuals stay home from school or other activities.”

By Monday morning, the Deti informed the Sun that four of those individuals who had been clinically diagnosed with varicella had tested negative for the virus.

“We continue to recommend people who are ill stay home from school, work or other activities,” Deti said. “We recommend individuals who think they may have chickenpox be seen by a medical professional and we encourage testing for varicella among these individuals.”

The Sun reached out to Copeland on Monday morning, who offered the following statement: “The District has been proactive in the response to the reported cases of chickenpox at Encampment School. Parent letters have been sent Districtwide to notify parents of the reported cases and the symptoms of chickenpox,” said Copeland. “At this point, we are waiting to hear any recommendations from the Wyoming State Health Department who have been investigating the reported cases. It is my understanding that they have received mixed confirmations on the reported cases. At any rate, it is their authority to declare an ‘outbreak’ and give recommendations for response to the District. At present, we are conducting school normally pending recommendations, if any, they provide.”

According to the CDC, chickenpox is highly contagious and can be spread by person-to-person contact or by the inhalation of the virus particles from blisters caused by varicella. Those who believe they, or their children, may have the chickenpox virus are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.