MARQUETTE, MI— A member of the NMU community has contracted chickenpox.
The Marquette County Health Department says the varicella virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact or through the air from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing. In unvaccinated people, chickenpox is one of the most readily communicable diseases.
It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever lasting an average of four to six days. It takes between 10 to 21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop chickenpox.
The Health Department urges residents to check their vaccine status. Officials say one dose of varicella vaccine is 82% effective at preventing chickenpox, while two doses are 92-98% effective.
The vaccine is available at both the Northern Michigan University Health Center and the Marquette County Health Department.
