News Release                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                November 20, 2007

Chickenpox

The Grey Bruce Health Unit has been advised of the death of a child in Grey Bruce who developed a rare and serious infection as a resulting complication following chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). This is an isolated incident and presents no increased risk to the public.

Chickenpox is mainly a disease of childhood, developing in 50% of children by the age of 5 years and 90% by the age of 12 years. Chickenpox is a reportable disease; healthcare providers are legislated to report all cases to Public Health.

A chickenpox vaccine is available through a healthcare provider or through Public Health. For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachments: Chickenpox Fact Sheet

For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Manager of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 230