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WA: Last year's Chickenpox outbreak in the San Juan Islands was costly

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  • WA: Last year's Chickenpox outbreak in the San Juan Islands was costly

    Source: https://sanjuanislander.com/news-art...nds-was-costly


    Last year's Chickenpox outbreak in the San Juan Islands was costly
    Wednesday, 20 February 2019 11:24

    The effects of last year's chickenpox outbreaks in the San Juan Islands affected more than just the children who caught the communicable disease. The $73,000 spent by the county Health Department rapidly wiped out the department's emergency fund. Money from the current expense fund had to be diverted to cover the cost of the public health response.

    Programs such as the Women, Infant and Children Nutritional Program (WIC) Maternity Support, and Newborn Outreach Services were adversely impacted as county employees were busy staffing the 35 popup immunization clinics that were conducted. The caseload for WIC dropped. Since funding is tied to caseload this means future funding will be reduced meaning less service.

    More than 150 students were excluded from class during the outbreak. Preschools and childcare centers were affected due to less tuition income when children were ill or not allowed to attend due to not being immunized. One infant care center was closed for months. The first immunization is done between ages 12-15 months old...
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