People who visited Brantford General Hospital’s emergency department on Friday may have been exposed to chickenpox. Anyone in the emergency department’s waiting room between 10:23 a.m. and 10:36 a.m. or the Zone 7 waiting room between 10:36 a.m. and 12:26 p.m. may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, and although cases are less common since the widespread use of vaccines, some people may still be at risk. Babies under one year of age, pregnant people who are not immune, people with weakened immune systems and people who have never had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated could contract the illness. Symptoms usually develop within 14 to 16 days after exposure and can include fever, fatigue and an itchy rash that progresses to fluid-filled blisters. Anyone who develops a fever or a rash should stay home and avoid contact with others and contact a healthcare provider before making an in-person appointment.
