In Michigan high school, unvaccinated students must stay at home after the chickenpox epidemic

Unvaccinated students from a high school in eastern Michigan were asked to stay at home after a chicken pox outbreak at school.

In a notice released this week, the St. Clair County Health Department, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, announced the outbreak at Marysville High School. The announcement said health officials, as well as the Marysville School District, have identified about 37 unvaccinated students who are susceptible to contracting the highly contagious virus.

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"In accordance with the Michigan Public Health Code, likely exposed students who can not provide documentation on vaccination or immunity history will not be allowed to attend school, work or activities." extracurricular until 21 days after the last identified case, "officials said.

Students will be readmitted to school after being vaccinated or after "providing the Department of Health with acceptable documentation of immunity".

According to the press release, the term immunity refers to the documentation of two valid doses of the live varicella vaccine at the age of 12 months or older, or "a proof of laboratory immunity or a confirmation of the sickness".

Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even speaks. The virus can also spread to an unvaccinated person if it comes into contact with chickenpox blisters from an infected person.

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Symptoms usually include fever, headache, lethargy and itching.

"The varicella vaccine is the best protection against chicken pox. It is important to ensure that your child and child vaccines are up-to-date to help prevent outbreaks and protect those who can not be vaccinated, "said Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Officer of Health. of the St. Clair County Department of Health, in a statement. .