8/6/2019 Chickenpox Notification on Panzer CDC

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NEWS RELEASE

Heidelberg Medical Department ActivityPublic Affairs OfficeCMR 442 APO AE 09042Nachrichten Kaserne, HeidelbergDSN 371-3130, CIV 06221-17-3130Kristen Marquez, cell 0162-270-4541Email: kristen.marquez@us.army.mil

May 20, 2011

Chickenpox cases at CDC prompt public health notificationVaccinations and awareness help prevent further spread

STUTTGART, Germany -- Two confirmed cases of chickenpox at the Panzer Kaserne child developmentcenter (CDC) prompted Army health officials to issue notification letters to parents who have children whostay there. Notifications were issued to inform community members and to dispel rumors that tend togenerate undue alarm, said Maj. Benita Harris, the clinic public health nurse.

In the notification letter, parents were informed that chickenpox is a very contagious infection caused by

a virus. It is spread from person to person by direct contact or through the air from an infected persons

coughing or sneezing. It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever lasting an average of 4

to 6 days. Most children recover without any problems. Chickenpox can be spread for one to two days

before the rash starts and until all blisters are crusted or no new lesions appear within a 24-hour period.

It takes between 10-21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop chickenpox.

Chickenpox in vaccinated persons is generally mild, with a shorter duration of illness and fewer than 50lesions. The rash may be atypical with red bumps and few or no blisters.

Vaccines also help protect against the spread of the chicken pox virus to others in the community who aresusceptible, according to health experts.

Therefore, children are being vaccinated according to their specific needs by age; some children arereceiving an initial vaccine, while others are getting a second shot.

Vaccination against chickenpox greatly reduces both the mild and serious risks of chickenpox and futureshingles, which is a later manifestation of the infection in older adults who were infected previously aschildren or young adults.

In addition to notifying all parents with children enrolled at the center, health officials at the Stuttgart

Health Clinic made other recommendations to the staff on how to arrest further spread. The staff wasadvised to open windows to air out rooms, and clean and sanitize all toys that the children share.

Health officials are working closely with the community and CDC staff to ensure timely identification ofand follow-up with individuals who may have been exposed.

For more information about chicken pox, visit the Centers for Disease Control websitehttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/list_varicl.htm or you can address your questions with yourhealthcare provider on your next clinic visit.

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