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15 December 2004: USA: CHIKEN POX INFLUENZA HIT MOUNTAIN AREA
The Mountain Area has recently been hit by a large number of children out of school with either the chicken pox or influenza in the past few weeks. More than 20 children have been out sick with the chicken pox at Oakhurst Elementary and more than 30 children from North Fork Elementary School have been out sick with the flu in the last week.

“We have been hit harder this year than in previous years,” said Kathy Murphy, principal of Oakhurst Elementary School. “Some of the children who have the chicken pox virus have had vaccinations but have still contacted a mild form of the chicken pox virus.”

Murphy said the number of children out from chicken pox each year varies. The more than 20 children out from Oakhurst Elementary is a large number for a school with just five grades - kindergarten through fifth. Wasuma Elementary School has reported just one student out with the chicken pox, though many other students have had the chicken pox in the last few months. Rivergold Elementary School has had two children out with the chicken pox in the last few months. Oak Creek Intermediate School has had two children out with the chicken pox in the last few weeks.

Oakhurst pediatrician Dr. Lopez has treated six children who have missed school due to the chicken pox.

Source: The Sierra Star

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