At least 12 children at the Highfield School in Timaru have contracted chicken pox, but the outbreak is contained, the school says. A chicken pox outbreak, which has affected at least 12 children at Highfield School in Timaru, is under control, its principal says. Rema Leitch said the infected children are mainly from the same families and has not affected the functioning of the school. Canterbury's medical officer of health, community and public health Dr Alistair Humphrey confirmed that cases of chicken pox reported. "The vaccine for chicken pox (varicella vaccine) is now offered to children at 15 months of age which protects them from this illness."

Source: Stuff March 23, 2019 23:03 UTC