M E D I A R E L E A S E

October 18, 2023

MoH Confirms Chickenpox Cases at a Secondary School

Port-of-Spain, October 18, 2023: The Ministry of Health confirms that several cases of the
Chickenpox virus were reported at the Five Rivers Secondary School. The office of the County
Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) was alerted by the principal of the school of this occurrence.
This is consistent with the long standing protocols for the reporting of infectious diseases to the
Ministry of Health.

The CMOH in collaboration with the school’s principal and other key officials, have taken the
necessary public health measures which include closure and sanitisation of the affected
classrooms, as well as training of the Parent Teacher Association at the school. This training
included but was not limited to the provision of information relating to clinical signs and symptoms
as well as preventative measures for the Chickenpox virus.

The public is informed that while Chickenpox is endemic to Trinidad and Tobago and the wider
Caribbean region, there may be the likelihood of an increase in the number of cases occasionally.
These increases occur particularly within high-risk areas such as Schools, Prisons, Homes for the
Elderly and Children.

The Chickenpox virus usually begins with flu-like symptoms including:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Headache and sore throat
• Feeling sick, tired and sluggish

Within a few days, red swollen spots or bumps may appear. The bumps can spread over
the whole body, even inside the mouth, eyelids or genital area, and turn into pimple like blisters
filled with clear or cloudy fluid. The blisters can break open, often leaking fluid.
The public is further advised that good hygiene practices can prevent and reduce the spread of
Chickenpox. These good hygiene practices include:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-
based hand sanitisers (containing at least 70% alcohol).

• Regular cleaning and sanitising of high touched surfaces (e.g. door knobs, countertops, desks).

• Avoid sharing personal items like utensils, water bottles, towels and wash rags with others,

• Avoid touching your face and eyes,

• Avoiding close contact with persons who display symptoms of infectious viruses

• Keeping children away from school or staying away from work if you are ill.

The Ministry of Health via its County Medical Officer of Health will continue to collaborate with
officials from the Ministry of Education on this matter. As such, the Ministry will continue to provide
updates to the public as necessary.

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