Chickenpox outbreak at Kīlauea Elementary triggers state to advise protective measures

Hawai‘i Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of chickenpox at Kīlauea Elementary School and advises community members to take protective measures.

Five cases were reported to date, including four students at the school and one household member.

All five cases were not vaccinated against chickenpox.

State Health Department officials recommend community members get vaccinated against chickenpox if they have not previously had the disease or were vaccinated against it.

Anyone who was in close contact with one of the infected should seek medical advice to learn about their best options for protection.

Chickenpox usually resolves on its own with supportive care; however, some people can have more severe symptoms and could be at risk for complications.

It also can be serious — even life-threatening — especially during pregnancy, in babies and for people with weakened immune systems.

The chickenpox vaccine is the best protection. Everyone — children and adults — should get two doses of the vaccine if they have never had chickenpox or were never vaccinated.

Most people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox. Those few who do get chickenpox despite vaccination generally have milder symptoms than if they were unvaccinated.

Some individuals who are ineligible for chickenpox vaccination but who could be at high risk — including pregnant women, infants and people with certain immunocompromising conditions — should talk to their healthcare provider immediately if they were exposed.

Other options are available to protect these vulnerable groups, but must be administered promptly to be effective.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters — as many as 500 is possible — that eventually turn into scabs.

It usually takes about one week for all of the blisters to become scabs. Shingles, a painful/itchy rash, is a late complication of chickenpox that can occur many years after infection.

Chickenpox spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by touching an infected person’s blisters.

Someone infected with chickenpox can spread the disease from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until all their rash blisters have formed scabs.

Visit the Hawai‘i Department of Health chickenpox information web page for additional information.