Chickenpox cases spike at Eagan school

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district is concerned about dozens of cases of chickenpox that surfaced recently among students and is alerting families.

Because of the cases, state health officials are recommending that a second dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine be given to all students who have had just one dose. "We are trying to address this issue and prevent additional cases," state Health Department spokesman Doug Schultz said Tuesday.

Pinewood Elementary School in Eagan has seen more than 30 cases since January, said district spokesman Tony Taschner, who said he could not recall the 28,000-student district ever having such a run before. The total number of cases in the district is 37, Schultz said.

The reason for recommending an additional dose of vaccine is because most of the children who have fallen ill already had one dose, which means the immunity may have faded, Schultz said.

Once a child is infected, it may take 10 to 21 days for symptoms -- usually the telltale rash -- to surface. Children with chickenpox are usually out of school for a week or more.

Schultz recommends that parents check their children for symptoms and review their immunization status. However, if a child has already had chickenpox, there shouldn't be any concern.

Starting with the 2009-10 school year, two doses of the chickenpox vaccine will be required for students entering kindergarten or seventh grade -- a requirement made in December 2008 by the Health Department.

According to the department, beginning in September, parents who have children entering kindergarten or the seventh grade will need to show proof their child has had two chickenpox vaccinations or has had the disease; or show proof of a medical exemption from their health-care provider; or file a notarized waiver with the school if they are opposed to the vaccine.

The reason for the seventh-grade requirement is that the immunity tends to fade at that age and a booster shot is often needed, Schultz said.

Vadim Lavrusik is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune. Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482