4 Northeastern grad students have chickenpox, university says

Four Northeastern University graduate students were diagnosed with chickenpox and are isolating, the university’s health and counseling services told students in an email Friday.

The students were “recently” diagnosed and live off campus, the university said. The students are required to isolate for three weeks after exposure, the Boston Public Health Commission determined.

“All four are isolating and being treated for the disease and are taking all necessary precautions,” the University Health and Counseling Services wrote to students. 

Chickenpox, caused by the varicella virus, is highly contagious, according to the Center for Disease Control. It causes an itchy rash with blisters and sometimes can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening complications during pregnancy, in children, and in people with weakened immune systems.

It’s spread through contact with someone’s blisters from chickenpox or from close proximity to their coughs or sneezes. Chickenpox can spread from one to two days before the rash crusts over, and it can take up to 21 days for someone exposed to develop chickenpox. 

A varicella vaccine is required at Northeastern, and the university instructed students to check their records to confirm their vaccination. According to the university’s health report, students can also submit a medically verified date of the disease or laboratory evidence of immunity.

“If you do not meet the immunity criteria, get a varicella vaccine dose from your healthcare provider or local pharmacy as soon as possible,” the email said.

The university asked students to monitor for any symptoms of chickenpox, including a rash with a fever, tiredness, or general discomfort. 

“Please don’t delay,” the university wrote.