All cases are in isolation, none were serious. To date, 41 cases of chickenpox have been identified in the military establishment, five of them have already been discharged. Four educational institutions in the area are also affected, where 5 students with chickenpox were detected, the majority from Kindergarten and Preschool. As a result of the identified cases, the preventive isolation of about 200 children, adolescents and teachers who were exposed to the cases was carried out and vaccination was carried out.
Recently, 5 new cases of chickenpox were confirmed at the Encarnación Military College for NCOs (COMISOE), located in the district of San Juan del Paraná, department of Itapúa. With this, there are 41 affected registered to date in the military establishment, of which 5 were discharged and 36 remain in isolation.
Thus, 5 cases of infection were also identified in four educational institutions in the area. Among those affected are two students between the ages of 12 and 16, and three children between the ages of 4 and 6. The last two cases were identified through the father of the family, who works as a caregiver for the elderly and recently called in sick.
All positive cases of chickenpox are currently in isolation and under follow-up; most were not vaccinated. As a result of the outbreak detected in educational establishments, preventive contact isolation of all students and teachers of the affected grades was recommended, close to 200 in total; Likewise, the continuity of classes virtually, as well as vaccination for all those who do not have the respective doses and do not have a history of chickenpox.
Dr. María Pastora Duarte, head of Itapúa’s Epidemiological Surveillance, pointed out that they will continue with visits to educational and other public institutions to raise awareness about this contagious disease, as well as to capture possible cases. She regretted that, in most of the cases of chickenpox detected, the boys and girls continued to attend school with symptoms of disease, believing that it was a skin allergy.
He emphasized that it is extremely important that cases of chickenpox are detected in the office to assess the severity of the condition, identify warning signs and receive appropriate treatment. “We are interested in the patient reaching the health service to carry out the follow-up and the corresponding interventions, and to detect any sign of seriousness in time,” she said.
The health professional insists on going to the consultation in the presence of fever and skin rashes; likewise, to update the vaccination schedule for boys and girls. He recalled that the chickenpox vaccine is free and is available in Public Health services. This vaccine is applied at 15 months of life and the booster at 5 years of age. He also commented that an immunization strategy called “Vaccine Recovery System” is being carried out, which consists of the application of doses to boys and girls up to 10 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated, including against chickenpox.
Let’s remember that chickenpox, after 21 days of exposure, can cause the disease.
chicken pox
It is a contagious disease, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) characterized by skin rashes.
It appears with rashes on the stomach, back and face, which can spread to the whole body producing itchy blisters. Other symptoms of this virus are tiredness, headache and fever.
In the event of presenting any of these symptoms, it is recommended to immediately seek medical advice to receive timely treatment and avoid self-medication.
It is important to avoid coming to work sick; It is also not advisable to take children to school or daycare in these conditions.
In case of contracting chickenpox
Keep rest: do not go to school, the workplace or public places, until 5 days after the vesicles have dried, to prevent contagion.
Intensify hygiene at home: clean surfaces and equipment that may be contaminated with respiratory secretions from the patient or with secretions or vesicular fluid.
Attention: if there are cases of chickenpox in the workplace, educational institutions or day care centers. Fumigation is NOT necessary.
More information about chickenpox notifications HERE
2023-08-09 19:41:12
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