Chicken pox case encourages preventative measures on the Hill

UCLA health officials found that a student who lives in Sproul Hall had signs and symptoms consistent with the chicken pox last week.

All Sproul Hall residents received an email about the symptoms last week after the student visited the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, said Sam Elias, Ashe Center assistant medical director. The email asked students to go to UCLA’s student health website and answer a questionnaire.

Nurses have reviewed the students’ questionnaires and have offered varicella tests as necessary. So far, there has been no spread of the chicken pox in the residence hall, Elias said.

The original patient is currently doing well and headed toward a full recovery, Elias said. The center has also instructed the student not go to class or out until the student is no longer contagious, he said.

In the past three years, there have been no similar issues in the residence halls, Elias said.

Varicella vaccines for chicken pox prevention will be offered to students who haven’t been previously vaccinated, and blood tests will be offered to those who aren’t sure whether they have been vaccinated, he said. The Ashe Center advises all students to take health precautions and try not to infect anyone else, he added.

Compiled by Sujung Hahn, Bruin contributor.