Recently, an outbreak of chickenpox has occurred, so Woosong University wanted to inform all students about it. Please cooperate in preventing chickenpox and blocking the transmission of the disease. Please read on for more information.

What is Chickenpox?

- Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease that can be spread through respiratory secretions produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with an infected person's skin lesions.
- It can take from 14 to 16 days, on average, and up to 21 days to develop chickenpox after contact with a person with chickenpox.
- The symptoms of chickenpox are similar to a cold at first, such as a person complaining of fever and fatigue for 1 to 2 days.
- The rash spreads from the face to the trunk and limbs, usually accompanied by itching, and changes from blisters to pustules that gradually crust over (scabs).
- Most healthy adults recover without complications.
- Chickenpox is contagious until all skin lesions have scabs (scabs), or until no new skin lesions develop for 24 hours. During this period, contact with others and exposure should be avoided.
- Although many students have been vaccinated against chickenpox, some students may still be infected with chickenpox even after being vaccinated against the chickenpox.
- If you have been vaccinated but you still get chickenpox, the symptoms will likely not be severe, and the number of skin lesions will be small, and most cases it will be short-lived.

If you do not currently have a doctor in South Korea, the International Student Support Team (+82-042-629-6551; ws.support.team@wsu.ac.kr) will be able to advise you further with regard to healthcare and other student life related matters.

Importance of Chickenpox Vaccination

If you have never been vaccinated against chickenpox and have never had chickenpox, talk to your doctor about getting the chickenpox vaccine.  If vaccinated within 3 days after contact with a chickenpox patient, the outbreak can be prevented in 70-100%, and symptoms are relieved even if the outbreak occurs.

If you suspect that you have chickenpox:

- See your doctor and discuss with your doctor if you or anyone in your family needs a vaccination.
- Notify the school that you have chickenpox.
- Avoid contact with people who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox and have never had chickenpox, and refrain from going out until scabs form on all skin lesions (or until no new skin lesions develop for 24 hours) and stay at home.
- Clean all skin lesions and wounds and be careful not to get a secondary infection.
- If a person has a weak immune function or is pregnant, consult a doctor immediately.

Contact information in case of suspected chickenpox: 042-629-6655 (W3 International Student Dormitory), 042-630-9969 (Solgeo Dormitory).

This announcement is also attached in English, Chinese and Vietnamese language for reference.