Mysterious rash affecting County students

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http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=40739

February 13, 2002

Mysterious rash affecting County students

MEDFORD - A rash that affected 46 County students last week is

perplexing health officials who are discovering symptoms that appear and

disappear within minutes.

Hank , County health and human services director, calls it

the strangest thing he's ever seen.

Forty students at Medford's Abraham Lincoln Elementary and six at Jewett

Elementary came down with rashes last week. Most recovered by Monday.

Five adults including a school nurse also temporarily had less severe

symptoms. Most of those affected were female.

Viki Barbour of County health services, says it looks like it's an

environmental problem.

Abraham Lincoln officials had classrooms cleaned last week and plan to have

an industrial hygiene specialist inspect the campus.

Health officials also want to analyze blood from some students.

Similar outbreaks have been reported in Pennsylvania and Canada.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. .)