Potential chickenpox exposure at Montreal Children’s Hospital, MUHC warns

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is warning of a potential chickenpox exposure at the Montreal Children’s Hospital last week.

The MUHC says a patient in the hospital’s pediatric emergency department on Jan. 24-25 has since been diagnosed with the virus.

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a contagious illness that causes an itchy rash, red spots, blisters, fever, decreased appetite, headache, cough and sore throat.

Anyone who may have been exposed is asked to inform health-care and daycare providers of the potential exposure and avoid contact with at-risk individuals such as pregnant women or individuals with weakened immune systems.

The MUHC says anyone who had chickenpox before 2006; shingles at any time; or two doses of the varicella vaccine is protected against the illness.

Anyone not immune could develop chickenpox 10 to 21 days after having been exposed to the virus.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today