Vigo Co. School Corp. reports unique cases of chickenpox

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The Vigo County School Corporation called parents Tuesday, informing them about a recent unique increase in chickenpox cases.

School officials aren't calling it an outbreak but seven cases of chickenpox have been reported in five Vigo County Schools.

Carol Lucas, Vigo County School Corporation Chairmen of Nursing says, "What is more unique in this case is that almost all these children have been immunized for varicella."

Lucas says school leaders decided it was best to remind parents to vaccinate their kids and keep an eye out for symptoms.

"Anytime a parent notices their child having a fever, an unexplained rash and not feeling well then they really need to consult their physician even if they’re immunized to determine the source of the rash,” said Lucas.

If a child hasn't been vaccinated the school will give parents a grace period to set up an appointment but eventually the law says the task has to be done.

“We work very closely with families to give them that opportunity to get those appointments and there can be a point in time, we can legally exclude children from school for not having the vaccines."

Vigo County school leaders say if more vaccinated children turn-up with the virus, the State Department could issue health records. The effort would be in an attempt to trace where and when the kids received their shots, to see if they received a weak batch of vaccines.