The Department of Health and Social Development in Limpopo this week suspended activities at Koedoeskop Primary School in the Waterberg area after a total of 93 pupils and a teacher were affected by an outbreak of chickenpox.
The hardest hit class is grade zero wherein 22 out of 46 kids were infected while grade seven was the list affected with just one casualty in a class of 21 pupils.
As soon as this came to our attention, we advised the school to send pupils home in order to avoid any further spread, especially since they had already completed examinations.
Our team of professionals is currently in the area to investigate, treat and educate the community about the decease.
Chickenpox can take two to three weeks before showing signs after contracting the virus.
Some of the symptoms include small red itchy spots which turn into blisters before bursting to form scabs. They start on the trunk and face and would eventually spread to arms and legs.
Anyone depicting these signs should be rushed to the nearest clinic for immediate treatment.
About chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and become itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring.
Chicken pox is spread easily through coughs or sneezes of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. Following primary infection there is usually lifelong protective immunity from further episodes of chickenpox.
Chickenpox is rarely fatal, although it is generally more severe in adult males than in adult females or children. Pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system are at highest risk of serious complications. Chicken pox is now believed to be the cause of one third of stroke cases in children.
For further inquiries contact:
Cecil Motsepe
Cell: 082 887 6164
Province
