TURKS & CAICOS - Four children from Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk were seen with Chicken Pox by the Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Department on 3rd  March 2014.

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.

There are several things that can be done at home to help relieve the symptoms and prevent skin infections. Calamine lotion may help relieve some of the itching. Keeping fingernails trimmed short may help prevent skin infections caused by scratching blisters. Acetaminophen or Panadol can be used to help relieve fever from chickenpox.The general advice is that all children suspected or diagnosed with Chicken Pox are seen by the doctor and sent home on sick leave until they are well.

The Environmental Health Officer for Grand Turk visited the school this morning Monday March 3, 2014. The Principal of the affected school is following the prescribed protocol of ensuring that children are sent home and only return to school when the doctor gives a medical certificate to state that they are well enough to return to school.

Unfortunately this is the time of year when we experience outbreaks of Chicken Pox in TCI and theregion, but the general thought from PAHO (the Pan American Health Organization) is that the numberof cases seen in TCI does not warrant immunization against the disease, also it may be better for children to develop natural immunity to the disease.