Baramulla: More than 75 students across multiple schools in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have shown symptoms of chickenpox, triggering an immediate response from health and education authorities to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading further.
Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Kunzar, Ilhaq Masoodi, confirmed that more than 75 students from different educational institutions have shown indications of the highly contagious illness.
“Today, we detected 10 fresh cases at Krishama. These students have been immediately isolated to curb further transmission. The schools, however, continue to function as usual, and we are strictly implementing all recommended preventive measures,” Masoodi stated.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Baramulla, Peerzada Bashir Ahmad Shah, provided a detailed breakdown of the affected areas. According to him, 40 students were identified with symptoms at Turkpora, 23 at Khonchipora, and three others at a separate institution.
“After receiving the reports, we promptly informed the health authorities, who dispatched medical teams without delay. They advised that students showing symptoms must remain isolated at home while their classroom activities are temporarily suspended,” Shah explained.
He added that the education department is maintaining round-the-clock coordination with the health department to prevent the situation from escalating. “Initially, the infected students experienced high fever followed by visible skin rashes. With timely medication, the severity has gradually lessened,” Shah noted.
Health experts have urged parents to stay alert and seek immediate medical care if their children show signs such as fever, skin rashes, or persistent itching. They further emphasized the importance of avoiding overcrowding in classrooms and adhering to hygiene protocols to stop the virus from spreading.
Meanwhile, worried parents and community members have appealed to the administration to strengthen surveillance efforts and ensure that adequate healthcare support is made available in the affected localities. Many fear the outbreak could spiral out of control if stringent measures are not taken swiftly.
Chickenpox, a viral infection known for its rapid transmission, primarily affects children but can cause severe complications in adults as well. Medical professionals have strongly advised infected students to remain at home until they are fully recovered to protect their peers and teachers from exposure.
Authorities assured the public that the situation is being closely tracked, and all necessary interventions will be carried out to safeguard the health and well-being of students across the district.
