Maine Experiencing Record Number of Chicken Pox Cases

Officials say chicken pox has been reported in every county except for Washington

Maine Center for Disease Control officials say the state is experiencing a record number of chicken pox cases for the 2014-2015 school year.

The Portland Press Herald reports Maine has had 84 cases so far, nearly double the 2013-2014 school year.

Most cases have been infections of unvaccinated or under-immunized children. Of the 84 cases, 57 were in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, including those too young to receive the vaccine.

Maine has one of the highest voluntary opt-out rates in the country for parents choosing not to vaccinate their children.

Officials say chicken pox has been reported in every Maine county except for Washington County.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us