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Small clusters of chickenpox reported at two Grand Valley campuses

Small clusters of chickenpox have been reported at the GVSU Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses.
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE

ALLENDALE, Mich. — Small clusters of chickenpox have been reported at two Grand Valley State University campuses in Allendale and Grand Rapids.

The university confirms that students have reported having the illness at their main campus and the Pew Grand Rapids campus.

Infected students are currently receiving care and other students in their classes have been notified of their exposure, GVSU says.

Students experiencing symptoms are asked to visit the Campus Health Center (Allendale Campus), the GVSU Family Health Center (Pew Grand Rapids Campus), or call (616) 685-7600 and press 3 to be connected directly to a nurse. 

Many people are already immune to the disease by either having had it in the past or having received the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

The school urges students who are unsure if they've had the vaccine to contact their family or health care provider to learn their status.

Vaccines for the disease are available through the school and can be scheduled at the Campus Health Center or the GVSU Family Health Center.

While chickenpox is usually not a serious illness in children, it can be more serious in adults and can even cause death, according to the CDC.

You can learn more about chickenpox here.

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