Kantarawaddy Times
A growing number of KG and Grade 1 students at a high school in Loi Nan Pha village, in western Demoso Township, Karenni State, have contracted chickenpox, forcing the class to close temporarily, a teacher at the school says.
The outbreak began on August 15 and has since spread to both a teacher and students, according to the report.
“One teacher was also infected and couldn’t come to school for a whole week. Children who have chickenpox are also told to stay home instead of coming to class,” a teacher said.
Reported symptoms include itchy, clear, fluid-filled blisters on the face, back, neck, and hands.
Nearly every class at the school now has students affected by chickenpox, with more than half of the students in the KG class infected. As of now, around 30 students have contracted the disease, with children under age 10 most affected, the teacher said.
While children unable to attend school due to the outbreak may fall behind in their studies, teachers say they will provide make-up lessons once students recover and return to school.
“For a child who has just come down with chickenpox, their studies will fall behind for at least a week. If they come to school, they risk infecting others; if they don’t come, they fall behind in their lessons. But even so, the teachers have said they’ll make up the lost lessons,” she added.
Health teams visit the village once a month to provide health services, and some of those affected by chickenpox are receiving treatment at nearby clinics, with some reportedly recovering. However, some cases remain unresolved, and the illness continues.
