Approximately 100 cases of chickenpox in Syrian refugees has been detected in Lebanon’s third largest city of Sidon, according to Lebanese news reports. The outbreak has prompted medical teams to shut down a school established inside the refugee center.
The center hosed some 900 refugees according to reports.
Lebanon has taken in approximately 1.1 million Syrian refugees, a decrease of some 100,000 in recent months.
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
It spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.
