ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – The Tompkins County Whole Health Department (TCWH) is issuing a health alert.

If you or your children visited the Sciencenter in Ithaca on Saturday, November 15, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., you may have been exposed to chickenpox.

Health officials say it could take up to 20 days from exposure for symptoms to show up, and the virus can spread before symptoms develop. Those with the largest risk of infection include unvaccinated infants, children or adults (those who have had chickenpox in the past are excluded), pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms May Include:

  • fatigue
  • headache
  • loss of appetite
  • low-grade fever
  • an itchy, red rash/sores that last between 7-10 days

TCWH advises you and/or your children to stay home if you’re feeling sick for public health reasons. If you have received the varicella/chickenpox vaccine, you are protected.

Learn more about chickenpox from the CDC here.