Several children contract chickenpox at St Patrick’s Primary School in Mentone

A Mentone primary school is on alert after a number of pupils contracted the chickenpox virus.

A Mentone primary school is on alert after a number of pupils contracted chickenpox.

Chickenpox has swept through a Mentone primary school where several children have contracted the virus.

In a letter to families from St Patrick’s Catholic Parish Primary School on Friday, it said there had been “a number of confirmed cases” at the school.

“As a precautionary measure, we want to ensure that all families are aware of the situation and can take appropriate steps to safeguard the health of their children,” the school said.

“Please be vigilant over the weekend and check for any signs or symptoms of chickenpox.

“If your child does experience any of the listed symptoms, please see your GP as soon as possible and keep your child at home until they are fully recovered or for a period of at least five days until eruptions first appear,” it added.

According to the Department of Health website, chickenpox generally presents with a low-grade fever, malaise and a rash.

The rash then becomes blistered and progresses to crusted lesions over about five days.

Lesions appear in three or four crops.

They appear on the face, scalp, limbs and mucous membranes of the mouth.

Some cases (about 5 per cent) are subclinical or exceedingly mild in nature.

Families from St Patrick’s were also cautioned earlier this week about making “inflammatory” and “derogatory” comments in a parents’ group chat.

In a recent letter to families sent out by St Patrick’s Primary School in Mentone, principal Pat Berlingeri warned parents to be respectful in group chats.