EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A student at Alderete Middle School has tested positive for varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, the Canutillo Independent School District (CISD) announced in a news release sent Thursday, Aug. 29.
CISD said the student shows full vaccination against varicella and this appears to be a breakthrough case.
The student is doing well and is under medical care, according to CISD.
As per El Paso City-County Health Department protocols, CISD is also monitoring the sibling of the impacted student, who is a pre-K student at Canutillo Elementary School, according to the news release.
CISD said the district is working with health officials and other authorities to monitor the health of students and adults who may have come in contact with either student.
As of today, no other case of varicella has been identified and no other students are showing any symptoms of the disease, according to CISD.
“Varicella is a highly contagious disease. The initial symptom is a fever followed by an itchy, blister-like rash among other symptoms. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and face and then spreads over the entire body. Chickenpox can be serious, especially during pregnancy, in babies, adolescents, adults and people with weakened immune systems (lowered ability to fight germs and sickness),” read the news release.
CISD is advising parents at home to be vigilant for symptoms and contact their medical professional if any signs of varicella exist within the family.
Read: Read More